BC Outlasts Maroons at Vets

On Friday afternoon at Veterans Field, the Ridgewood baseball team suffered a bitter defeat to the Bergen Catholic Crusaders, loosing 13-8.

The Maroons were ahead 5-2 going in to the seventh and final inning, when BC erupted for 11 runs to take control of the game.

"I give all the credit to the players," said Crusader's coach Jim Burt. "They never once lost the belief that they could win, and it was because of their focus and determination that we were able to come out on top."

Bergen Catholic was trailing 5-4 when Joe Scancarella—a Ridgewood native—laced a bases loaded single up the middle off Cooper Byrne to score Toby Schwartz.

"I've known Cooper for years, so I think that definitely helped me get the hit off him," said Scancarella who grew up playing baseball with most of the Ridgewood roster. Asked if the game would have any effect on their friendship, Scancarella replied, "No, not at all. I go way back with those guys, but it definitely gives me bragging rights for a while."

On the very next at bat, Jack Gallagher drew a walk to force in John Maughan to give BC the lead for good.

"We struggled a bit earlier in the season, but we've had some big wins of late and a comeback like this can really give us some momentum going forward."

Ridgewood used four different pitchers in the final inning, but none of them could stop the BC onslaught. The Crusaders accounted for five hits and six walks highlighted by a two-run home run to deep center field off the bat of Maughan.

"I don't know if I've ever been apart of an inning like that," said Maughan, who went 2-for-4 with four runs batted in. "The way everyone stepped up when we needed it most was really something special to see."

Ridgewood controlled the game for six-and-a-half innings, as starting pitcher Alec Fenstermacher was able to keep the BC bats at bay. On the day Fenstermacher went five strong innings allowing just two hits, but then began to tire in the sixth inning and made way for the bullpen.

Making one last effort in the bottom of the seventh, the Maroons scored three runs—thanks to Frank Paleno, Russell Tanner and Byrne—but it wasn't enough.

A groundout forced by Bergen Catholic's John Ripoli ended the game and dropped Ridgewood's record to 11-3 on the season.

The Maroons will be in action again Monday when they travel to Hackensack.