Paramus Baseball Reaches State Title Game

WAYNE— Thanks to a strong pitching performance by Frank Colasante and a high-octane offensive output, Paramus head coach Joe Cervino has a chance to finish out his illustrious career on top.

“It would be unbelievable,” the longtime head coach said about going out a winner.

The Spartans defeated North 1, Group 2 winner Millburn 11-1 on Tuesday afternoon at William Paterson University to earn a spot in the state tournament final for the first time since 1989.

“At this stage in my career, we were happy winning the league and the state sectional [title],” Cervino said. “This is just icing on the cake.”

Paramus (25-4) provided Colasante with plenty of run support. The Spartans racked up 12 hits and scored once in the first, four times in both the third and fifth innings, and tacked on two more runs in the sixth.

Colasante (9-2) pitched six strong innings, allowing five hits and one run while striking out five.

“He was throwing hard,” Cervino said. “The key was getting the runs initially so he could get ahead in the count with his fastball and then mix in some curveballs and changeups.

“It was a very gutty performance.”

Millburn (24-7) scored its lone run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

“I came into this game prepared,” Colasante said. “I did my routine and I just felt great all day.”

Third baseman Nick Henriquez went 3-for-4 and fell a single shy of the cycle. In the sixth inning, the senior blasted a solo home run to left center that traveled well over 375 feet.

“I knew a curveball was coming. I sat on that,” he said. “I just drove it real hard. It felt good off the bat.”

Right fielder Tyler Garguilo’s continued his hot hitting. The junior is 6-for-10 with six runs in his last two games. Garguilo went 4-for-4 with four runs and reached base a fifth time after being hit by a pitch in Paramus’ 9-1 win over top-seeded Montville to capture the North 1, Group 3 state sectional title.

“We’re playing really well now,” Cervino said. “We’re getting good pitching. Our captains are leading us offensively.”

Center fielder Chris Covello was 2-for-3 with a triple, an RBI and a walk. The senior scored twice. Second baseman Joe Szorentini, who pitched a complete game, eight-strikeout masterpiece against Montville, went 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI against the Millers. He hit the Spartan’s third triple of the game in the sixth inning.  

Paramus will play the winner of the other group game, either Seneca or Middletown South, on Saturday in Toms River.  (The Toronto Blue Jays drafted Seneca pitcher Kevin Comer, a 6-foot-4 right-hander, as the 57^th overall pick in the Major League Baseball draft.)  

When asked if he was surprised that his team has been beating tough opponents so handily, Cervino laughed, “Yes, absolutely."

“Everything is starting to click for us,” he added. “We hope we can keep it going.”