Paramus Baseball Picks Up Marquee Win Over Bergen Catholic

RIDGEFIELD PARK—Paramus High School center fielder Chris Covello was glad to get his first home run out of the way.

“Throughout the season all my coaches have told me just hit the ball and the home runs will come,” the senior said.

Covello’s two run blast to right center in his first at-bat was part of a four-run first inning for the Spartans baseball team, who continued their hot hitting in a 12-9 win over Bergen Catholic at Overpeck Park in Ridgefield Park on Monday.

“This win really sets the tone for rest of season,” Paramus pitcher Joe Szorentini said.

The Spartans led 6-1 after three innings before blowing the game open in the fourth, scoring four more runs.

Szorentini hit an RBI single and designated hitter Matt Krum went yard.

“I was a little nervous going up the first time against a big team,” said Krum, who went 2-for-3 at the plate. “But once I walked I got more relaxed at the plate and I saw the ball great today.”

“It felt really good to help my team in that clutch moment to pull away from Bergen,” he added.

Bergen (6-3) would score six runs in the last two innings, but Nick Henriquez, who started at third base but pitched in relief, got Crusaders center fielder Eric Flanagan to strike out to end the game and the rally.

Szorentini picked up his third win of the season. He pitched five innings, allowed five hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out four, mixing his off-speed pitches with his fastball on both sides of the plate against opposing hitters.

The senior and also helped his own cause at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a homer in the sixth, three RBI, three runs, and a walk.

“We came right out of the box hitting today which really jump started the game off for us,” said Krum (three RBI), a junior.

“The bats have really been going like crazy,” Paramus head coach Joe Cervino said. “We have three guys batting over .550 [on the season].”

After a disheartening loss to neighboring Ridgewood, where the team allowed four unearned runs, the Spartans defeated Westwood 19-13 in a marathon over the weekend.

Paramus trailed 9-0 after two innings, and the team, sensing urgency, scored 10 runs with two outs in the next frame.

The hot hitting continued as the Spartans racked up 11 hits against the Oradell parochial school.

“It’s always great getting a big win against good teams,” Covello said. “With so many big hitters in the lineup this year, it’s great to see all of us come together and put up some big numbers.”

This week the Spartans face Bergen Tech (twice) and Lakeland. On Tuesday, Frank Colasante (2-1) will take the hill for the Spartans against Bergen Tech. Henriquez (0-1), who defeated Lakeland 2-0 last year, will toe the rubber versus the Lancers on Wednesday.  Szorentini will pitch a makeup game versus Bergen Tech on Saturday.