Paramus Little League 12 Years Get New Life on Criscione Homer

The Paramus 12-year old team advanced to the North NJ Sectional Finals Friday night with a 5-4 win over Basking Ridge. Paramus plays against Mendham Saturday.

This game had great importance to both teams: It was their chance to play unbeaten Mendham for the North NJ Sectional Championship coming from the "loser's bracket" each having lost a game. Both teams had 3 runs home runs, Ridge in the 3rd inning and Paramus in the 5th that decided the game.

ON THE MOUND

Paramus starter Nick Denigris pitched 5 strong innings holding Ridge to a single inning of scoring in the 3rd inning and coming back to hold off a potential rally in the 5th inning.  James Rendine came in to close out the game for Paramus giving up 2 hits, but getting 2 strike outs in the 6th inning with Ridge baserunners on 2nd and 3rd bases.

AT THE PLATE

Paramus got key hitting from Conor Heim who was 3-3 and scored a run. Mike Daniele was 2-2 with a double and a single and scored a run. The game changer came in the 5th inning from Danny Criscione who was 1-3 in the game, but rocked a 3-run homer that traveled an estimated 250 feet over the center field scoreboard.

COACH'S TAKE

"It was an incredible game.  We knew we had the middle of our order coming up in the 5th inning and (Danny) Criscione hasn't been hitting good these last couple weeks and was over due. To come and hit that fastball as hard as he hit it, it was a moon shot.  And the performance from our pitcher, our 3rd or 4th starter, keeping a hitting team like Basking Ridge at bay, was a heck of an accomplishment." - Manager Frank Smith

THEY SAID IT

"I was doing really good in the beginning until I gave up that home run. I felt like I was getting a little shakey out there, but I kept it together and kept them to four runs." - Paramus starting pitcher, Nick Denigris.