Girls Lax: West Morris 9 - Roxbury 6 (5-4-07)

West Morris attacks Roxbury!

#4-seed scores 5 unanswered on way to MCT victory.

By Coach Carchietta for MorrisCountyVaristy.net

Chester, NJ - “Sometimes the best defense is a strong offense.” It’s an old sports expression, but on days like today, it is always holds true. After going goal-for-goal for with Gaels, and trailing 3-2, West Morris used a three goal scoring blitz to end the half.
West Morris defeated Roxbury in MCT quarterfinals action today in Chester. This was only the second loss of the season for the Gaels, both to West Morris, the last meeting a 12-11 affair on April 14.
Jori Procaccini tallied three goals for West Morris. Margaret Allen, Jenna Scheibling and Eleni Kozas added two goals a piece as West Morris improved to 7-5. West Morris went on a 5 goal scoring spree to close the half and open the second. The scoring spree, that spanned about 6 minutes of both halves, was charged by three goals from Procaccini. Scheibling and Allen added the other two; with Allen’s goal giving West Morris a 7-3 lead. The blitz attack from the host Highlanders was held to a minimum by Roxbury’s keeper, Dana Tedesco. The Gale’s net-minder was sharp and stopped 19 shots on the day.
West Morris awaits the winner of Saturday’s #1-seeded Mendham - # 8 Randolph game.

Boys Lax: Chatham 11 - Randolph 10 (4-28-07)

Chatham mounts remarkable comeback!

Outscores #6 Randolph 9-2 to close the game.

By Coach Carchietta for MorrisCountyVaristy.net

Chatham, NJ - In a tale of two halves, Chatham emerged victorious in a match-up between two of New Jersey’s top lacrosse teams. With two teams of this caliber, one would expect nothing but an epic battle … and today’s game was no exception.Chatham trailing 8-3 early in the 3rd quarter mounted a stunning comeback to defeat the explosive Randolph Rams 11-10. Randolph jumped to a quick 1-0 lead as James Reale converted just 8 seconds into the game. Almost 6 minutes had passed before the Rams would increase the lead to 2-0. Corey Zindel’s resulted as he was the gracious recipient of a fast break off a save by Rams’ Keeper Mike Horowitz. Both goals, the only two of the 1st quarter, were results of fast breaks. Neither team was able to muster much as the defenses held strong.Petey Coleman opened the scoring for the Cougars early in the 2nd. Randolph immediately responded with a goal from Zindel, followed by Ed Bilimkas goal. The quick strikes gave Randolph a 4-1 lead.Up a man, Chatham moved with two as Kevin Murray stuffed one in with about 5 minutes left till halftime. Pat Tracey followed to cut the lead to 4-3.The start of the second half saw the mindset and flow of the game change dramatically. What started out as a defensive stalemate between these two high powered offensive-minded teams, quickly erupted into a scoring frenzy. Randolph converted on four goals in the first four minutes of the third. Zindel scored two with the others coming from the netting of Kevin Sanders and Matt Fullam. The 8-3 deficit may have looked insurmountable to most, but the indomitable Cougars somehow dug in and set forth an explosion that Rams could only hope to contain. Bill Eisenreich started the comeback with an evasive spin move at the goal line, followed by an accurate stuff-in. Petey Coleman received a perfect set-up pass behind the net and was robbed by Rams’ keeper Mike Horowitz. An unfazed Coleman grabbed the loose rebound, spun away from two Cougar defenders and buried the ball just over the keepers’ shoulder. Coleman added another, in sniper-like fashion, to cut the lead to 8-6 with only 23 seconds remaining the 3rd.The Cougars remained in offensive attack-mode to begin the 4th quarter. Jeff Keating, perfectly position in front of the net, grabs a high rebound and finds the back of the net to make it a one goal game just 1:32 into the 4th. The Cougars tie it up as Cam Wood receives an ideal feed in front and converts on the perfectly executed play. Coleman and Keating added goals to give Chatham a 10-8 lead. Keating’s goal capped a 14-minute run of eight unanswered goals. Just as you should expect from one of the best teams in New Jersey, Randolph quickly erased the two goal deficit. Corey Zindel and James Reale connected just 17 seconds apart to tie the game with 3:42 left in the 4th. Before the echoes from the Rams-faithful had faded away, Petey Coleman added his fifth goal on the day. The elusive junior attacker moved in from the corner and picked a low corner for the eventual game winner.Randolph was not done. After Chatham had milked off almost all of the final 3 minutes, The Rams had forced a Chatham out of bounds. With less than 30 seconds remaining, The Rams has one last effort to send the game into overtime. Randolph traveled the length of the field and set up a quality shot off a cross-feed. The chest high rocket was stopped by Cougar Keeper Tommy Polise.Chatham improved to 8-1 on the season and Randolph fell to 8-2. Chatham Goalie Tommy Polise on the last 10 seconds of the game, including defenseman Tyler Cox preventing the tying goal from crossing the goal-line: “(Tyler Cox) just knocked it away and I saw the goal just two inches away from the goal-line. I just clamped it and threw it as far as I could.”Chatham’s Head Coach Steve Manitta comments on:What the coaching staff told the team early in the 3rd, when trailing 8-3: “We were getting quality shots, and (Horowitz) made some big saves. We told them to just keep firing away.”On Randolph defenseman John Lade: “I’d say he’s one of the top defenseman in the state of New Jersey, if not in the nation. I was telling him to tuck his cape in.” jokingly referring to Lade as superman.On the 9-2 scoring spree to finish the game: “We were throwing a lot of numbers at them” in reference to keeping fresh legs in the game and utilizing the Cougars deep bench.On his Goalie Tommy Polise: “Everything was going against Tommy in the 1st half. Then he totally stepped up and made quality saves. Tommy is one of the kids that says, ‘I’ll get the next one.’”Coach Carchietta views a lesson on class from an opposing a parent and coach: While interviewing Coach Manitta, a Randolph parent came over to congratulate Manitta and the team. Both gentleman exchange compliments and Coach Manitta finished the conversation with, “Your son plays for a great program. It’s a great program, it really is.” There is something to be said about sportsmanship, class and the love the game. I was able to witness this all day at Cougar field.

Boys Lax: Randolph 15 - West Morris 7(4-20-07)

Rams get it done, in a New York Minute!

Eleven Rams score as #8 defeats #14 West Morris.

By Coach Carchietta for MorrisCountyVaristy.net

Randolph, NJ - You’ve heard the expression and probably the song, “... everything can change in a New York minute.” It probably never seemed more true to both the Rams and the Wolfpack on Friday at Freedom Park. Randolph exploded for a combined five goals with under 20 seconds left in the first and second quarters. The last second outburst enabled Randolph to take a six goal lead into the half.Randolph, ranked #8 in the New Jersey by The Star Ledger, defeated #14 West Morris Central 17-9 in Men’s Lacrosse. West Morris, coming off a heart breaking 8-7 loss to Chatham on Wednesday, exploded early for three goals in a matter of 61 seconds. Just three minutes into the game, Sal Carfaro connected to give the Pack a 1-0 lead. Evan Guarini (3G, 1A) and Tim Lum (2G, 2A) followed with goals. The three goal burst forced Randolph to call an early time out in hopes to snuff the Pack attack. The Rams found the light and fired in six unanswered goals, all in the 1st quarter. During the timeout, Randolph Head Coach Bill Scanlon just reminded the team, “Let’s get refocused.” ... and refocus, they did. Just over a minute after the timeout, Greg Sopko connected for his first of three goals on the day. Five different players accounted for the Ram’s first seven goals. Eleven scored on the day. Corey Zindel (4G, 4A) scored next and Matt Fullman (2G) tied the game at three. John Vandling’s (1G) goal gave Randolph the lead. Then, with about 20 ticks on the clock, Randolph went into sonic mode. Corey Zindel hit for his second of the day. Vandling attacked the net off the next face off and hit with just four seconds remaining. When asked about the last minute outburst, Coach Scanlon added, “We were just fortunate. Johnny (Lade) comes up with the faces offs and we’re told to look for people.”West Morris was able to notch one back as Guarini added his second. Randolph keeper Mike Horowitz made a dynamic save off the ensuing face off, halting another Pack assault. Then, trailing 8-4, Lum picked a tiny opening at a tight angle and the Wolf was back within range. There may have been no announcer at the game, like the Rams heard all hockey season on the way to the state championship, bellowing, “This is the last minute to play in the 2nd … one minute!” But some how, some way, you knew that the Rams heard something that ignited their engines. Corey Zindel maneuvered around the net, drawing an aggressive Pack defense to him and setting up an open Kevin Sanders (1G, 1A) for a quick shot that found the back of the net. You would think that a 9-4 lead going into the half would be sufficient and, on the side of caution, you run out the clock. But not in this New York Minute. Three different Rams connected in a matter of 8 seconds to explode for a 12-4 lead entering the half. The outburst occurred just after a remarkable save by West Morris goalie Jeremy Dowiak. Corey Zindel converted off the rebound. Sopko buried a ball from just about 5 yards out. Dan Gold (1G, 1A) was mid-air and in the midst of being punished as he rocketed one in from about 25 yards. The Rams were patient and used the perimeter in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Tight defense and few great saves prevented West Morris from getting any closer than six. Brett Binn, Kevin Barpen, Guarini and John Williams scored for West Morris in the second half. Rams’ Senior Steve Jones intercepted of a break out pass and fired a bullet to the back of the net for the final goal of the game, giving Randolph a 15-7 lead late in the 4th.. Randolph improved to 6-1 and West Morris fell to 4-3.

Randolph 17, West Morris 7

irls Lax: Mendham 12 - Chatham 7(4-17-07)

Mendham holds off ChathamMessinger six goals & Kyla Dambach 10 saves lead NJ’s #2 team.

By Coach Carchietta for MorrisCountyVaristy.net

Chatham, NJ - In match-up between two of The Star Ledger’s top 12 teams, momentum seemed to change with weather. #2 Mendham and #12 Chatham battled between spurts of sprinkles and heavy rain drops. Mendham was able to hold off a monumental second half Cougar comeback and secure an impressive 12-7 victory.Senior Kaitlyn Messinger scored six times, four in the 1st to lead the Minuteman past Chatham. Lauren Dykstra added three goals and Maggie Smith contributed with a goal and an assist. In a time of desperation and pressure such as the final 5-minutes of this match-up, strong senior-laden teams rely on their seniors for direction. The senior trio exploded for four goals in the final 5 minutes to halt a colossal comeback by the Cougars. With the score 8-7 in favor of Mendham, after leading 7-2 at the half, Maggie Smith scored 5:11 remaining in the 2nd. Kaitlyn Messinger added her sixth goal, and second of the half, to give Mendham a three goal advantage. Three sports standout Lauren Dykstra recorded the final two goals of the game. Mendham Coach Jessica Shoulberg was very proud of her teams’ ability not to cave and hold off the strong Chatham offensive: “Senior Leadership! They wanted that game.”The game was supposed to be played in Mendham, but the pounding rain all weekend provoked the move to play the game at Chatham. Mendham controlled the tempo early as a heavy rain soaked the perfect turf at Hass Field in Chatham. Dykstra opened the scoring 3:29 into the game. Messinger followed with two goals of her own to give Mendham a 3-0 lead and forcing Chatham to take a time out with 18:13 left in the first. A well-timed break in momentum helped stall Mendham’s early scoring spurt. An exchange in quality saves by both keepers allowed Chatham to work the ball back up into the Mendham zone. Lauren Murray converted after being set up by Anna Valle. Valle fed Murray from behind the net for the open look, cutting the lead to 3-1. Megan Kelly answered less than two minutes later as Mendham regained the 3-goal lead. Caitlin Kelly and Messinger added goals as Mendham increased their lead to 6-1. Murray recorded her second goal with 7:04 on the clock leaving Chatham down 6-2. Messinger closed the scoring the half with just over 5 minutes remaining. Mendham’s keeper Kyla Dambach held the call for nearly three minutes, enabling the Minutemen to wind the clock and take a 7-2 lead into half-time.The heavy rain has subsided and the momentum had found the Cougars. Danielle Van Fossan scored two goal sandwiched around a goal by Meghan Murray. The three goal spurt moved Chatham within two. Leading 7-5, but trying to defend a swarming offensive attack, Mendham was able to break up the Cougar’s scoring barrage. Messinger’s 5th of the game gave Mendham an all-important 8-5 advantage. Mendham’s Head Coach Kaitlyn Shoulberg on Chatham’s determination and strength as the Cougars outscored Mendham 5-1 in the opening 11 minutes of the second half: “(Chatham) got the momentum going and did a good job not giving up,” Attacker Lauren Murray and the Cougars were not done. The junior tallied the next two Chatham goals closing the deficit to one goal, 8-7. That’s as close as the Cougars could get, as … again … the rain began to fall harder and the Minutemen used one last rush to turn Chatham away. Mendham improved to 5-0 on the season as junior keeper Kyla Dambach turned away 10 shots, almost all quality scoring chances. This was Chatham’s first loss of the season. O'Keefe, Kathy and Gianna Spinelli combined for 10 saves for the 4-1 Cougars.

Boys Lax: Mendham 9, Jefferson 6 (4-9-07)

Ahto rallies Mendham past Jefferson

By Coach Carchietta for MorrisCountyVaristy.net

Mendham, NJ - Jefferson held a two goal advantage late in the fourth quarter. Down a man and looking to stymie the Mendham advantage, Jefferson’s head coach Harry Shortway bellowed words of encouragement for his team … “Pride!” … “Be strong!” Maybe the Mendham players overheard and took his advice, because what happened next was a series of events that stripped any momentum from Jefferson. All because one talented sophomore decided that enough was enough. Four different scorers accounted for the nine Mendham goals. Seniors JP Fullam and Sean Antoniewicz scored two a piece and junior Connor Tinquist added a goal and two assists. Mendham came out attacking in first two minutes of the game, but were denied three times by Marini. Not to be outdone, Mendham’s Pat McNerney robbed Dean Combos off a great feed from George Warburton, keeping it scoreless midway through the 1st. A few minutes later, Kevin Murphy fed Combos to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead with 2:59 left in the 1st. The Minutemen evened it up at one as JP Fullam converted off of an unforced, midfield turnover. With the score tied at two and only 11 seconds left till half, Fullam notched his second goal giving Mendham a goal advantage going into the break.Combos gave Jefferson the lead back scoring 2 goals in 37 seconds. The goals coming with just about 6 minutes left in the third. As play became tougher and every pass and attack was feverously contested, Tinquist found the back of the next to tie it at four. As the fourth began, Jefferson’s Mark McConnell was left open off the whistle. McConnell gave the Falcons a quick 5-4 lead. Combos followed with his fifth goal about 4 minutes later. The 6-4 lead looked comfortable on a day where defense and great net minder were the norm.A man up and training 6-4 with 5:24 left, sophomore Attacker Brad Ahto set up Sean Antoniewicz, as Mendham cut the lead to 6-5. The sophomore then made the final 5 minutes a one man scoring show. Just 19 seconds later Ahto beat Jefferson Keeper, Ned Marini one on one. Despite Marini having a stellar day and halting many Minuteman attacks early on, Ahto was sniping out the back of the net. Ahto then scored the next three goals to boot. Marini and Warren Erdmann combined for 17 saves for the Falcons. This was Jefferson first loss. The Falcons fell to 2-1. Mendham improved to 3-1.

Mendham 9, Jefferson 6

Mendham Goals: Fullam (2); Tinquest; Antoniewicz (2); Ahto (4)Mendham Assists: Tinquest (2); Antoniewicz; AhtoJefferson Goals: Combos (5); McConnellJefferson Assists: Murphy; Becker; Koontz (3), McConnell

Softball: Pequannock 1 - Montville 0 (4-23-07)

By Andrew Sidebottom for MorrisCountyVaristy.net (4-23-07)

Pequannock, NJ - Pequannock got the better of Montville 1-0 in eight innings. The Golden Panthers were lead by the outstanding pitching from Megan Brain and solid hitting from both Tara Earley and Noelle Ramirez. This game looked like and was a pitching duel, with Brain going for the Panthers and Noelle Sisco pitching for the Mustangs. Both pitchers were exceptional with Brain going all eight innings, allowing only five hits, striking out fourteen, and walking four. Sisco was just as masterful went seven and a third, allowing six hits, striking out seven, while walking none. In the first inning, Pequannock stranded Earley at third after a leadoff single, but did not manage another hit until the fourth. In the bottom of the fourth, Ramirez singled and advanced to third with no outs on an error but was tagged out advancing home on a great play but Haugh and Stephanie Malgeri. Montville’s best chance was in the fifth when the eight hitter, Lauren Novotny, and the nine hitter Lexi Haugh singled with no outs but Brain managed to strike out the one, two, and three hitters. In the sixth Montville also threatened but Earley threw out her second runner of the day to end the inning. In the seventh, Pequannock got two two-out singles but Sisco got out of the inning with a lineout. Pequannock won in the eight, when Earley lead off with a single and advanced to second on an overthrow. Ashley O’Rourke bunted Earley over to third and was driven home by Ramirez on a single to deep center. Coach Immediato was pleased with his pitching and defense. This was the fourth consecutive year that when Montville played Pequannock in Pequannock and the score had been 1-0. Third year in a row with Pequannock winning in the eight inning. Montville won in ninth four years ago. Brain’s has pitched 26 career innings against the Mustangs allowing only one earned run and one extra base hit. She 42 career strikeouts against the Mustangs with an ERA under 0.30.

Softball: Blue & Gold Tournament (4-21-07)

By Andrew Sidebottom for MorrisCountyVaristy.net

Pequannock, NJ - Kittatinny won the Blue & Gold Tournament upending the Panthers in the final, 2-1. In the opening game, Pequannock passed J. P. Stevens, 5-0. The Edison school has historically been a state powerhouse in New Jersey softball. Despite entering Saturday with a 3-4 record, the Middlesex County School gave MCHSS.net’s #2 team a nice challenge. Kristen Brain led off the game with walk. The freshman moved to second on an Ashley O’Rourke’s single. Tara Earley lined out to right and the right fielder overthrew first, trying to double off O’Rourke. Brain scored the game’s first run. The run proved all that the host Panthers needed. With one out in the third, O’Rourke and Noelle Ramirez singled. Tara Earley walked to load the bases. A two out bomb by Jessica DiPiazza cleared the bases. The grand slam increased the lead to 5-0. That was more than enough for sophomore standout Megan Brain. Brain pitched a two hitter, only walking two and striking out twelve. Brain was so in control, that no runner reached second base. The Panthers improved to 5-3 moving into the championship game.Kittatinny Nips Pequannock 2-1Kittatinny defeated Pequannock in the final of the Blue and Gold Tournament scoring the winning run in the top of the sixth on a throwing error.The match up had all the makings of a pitcher’s dual … and its sure was. Both pitcher’s did not allow an earned run the entire game and were phenomenal. Sara Stocklinski was the winning pitcher for Kittatinny, going the distance and allowing only four hits. Megan Brain may have been more dominant but ended up on the losing end of the battle. The sophomore worked all seven innings, allowing two hits and fanning ten. Kittatinny scored the third when Abby Ralph reached on error. Ralph scored from second on a Melissa LaCouture single. Pequannock tied up the score in the fourth when Noelle Ramirez singled and with two outs, stole second and scored as Kittatinny committed two errors on the play. Kittatinny scored in the 6th as LaCouture drew a four pitch walked. LaCouture came around to score on another throwing error, for the decisive 2-1. The Panther’s threatened once more. Brain’s triple with two outs gave Pequannock an opportunity to answer in the 6th. But, Stocklinski educed a pop up for the third out.

The IHC Challenge (3-14-07)

Year after year, the IHC Challenge seems to bring out the best. The opening first set of games in this softball extravaganza proved no different. Eight teams met in Randolph and each game was as exciting as the next. Three of the first four games were won in the final at bat, two in extra innings.Morris Hills, Randolph and Mendham went 2-0 on the day. Mendham’s sophomore pitcher Amy Appel threw a no hitter in Mendham’s second game against Morristown. Tin Banta tossed a one-hitter as Hanover Park shutout Lenape Valley 3-0.



Morris Hills 2 – Montville 1 -- This seemed to be the match-up of the day and the game everyone was waiting for. Montville was just coming off a tough 3-2 loss to Essex-power Caldwell and Morris Hills freshly off a 4-0 victory over IHC foe Chatham. This one had all the makings of a classic softball match-up and the softball faithful at Brundage were given simply that. The Scarlet Knights pulled off a final-at-bat victory, edging the Mustangs 2-1. Coach Nieman gave the call to freshman Melissa O’Connor. The rookie gave the Mustangs all they could handle. Montville did manage seven hits, but could only muster one run in the first. O’Connor struck out five and was aided with a bit of strong defense through the game. Montville struck first I the top of the first. Lead batter, Kristin D'Arienzo drove a rocket into centerfield and advanced to third on an error. A two out double by senior catcher Stephanie Malgeri gave the Mustangs a 1-0 lead. Morris Hills pressured in the bottom of the first, but the Mustangs worked their way of a one-out, bases loaded jam. Montville had to hold off the Knights again in the bottom of the second. Samantha Boccolini, who singled to lead off the 2nd, was at third with bases load and two outs. Mustang’s pitcher Candace Harrison fielded a ground ball and got the force at home, ending the Scarlet Knight’s threat.Montville mounted a two-out rally in the 3rd, only to have O’Connor record her third strikeout of the game, second of the inning. The Mustangs received a two-out single from Amanda Meytrott and Malgeri, only to be stranded at third. Senior Pitcher Candace Harrison lead off the 6th with a triple, but O’Conner continued to masterfully force ground balls and allow the Morris Hills’ defense chances to keep the runner at third. Morris Hills tied the game at one in the bottom of the fifth. Senior Shortstop Taryn Fernicola reached on a fielder’s choice and later scored the Scarlet’s Knights’ 1st run. Fernicola belted a one out triple in the 7th and later scored on a single by 1st baseman Michelle Bauer. The Scarlet Knights could only muster 5 hits on the day, but the two in the bottom of the seventh were the most damaging.

 

Randolph 9 – Dover 8 (8 innings) -- Randolph opened the day against Dover on the same field that hosts the MCT. The Tigers jumped to a 3-0 lead in the top of the second. Junior catcher Casey Boyle led off with a single. Shortstop Nicole Suaza blasted a triple scoring Boyle. Leftfielder Nicole Trowbridge reached base and later scored. The Rams took one back in the bottom of the second as sophomore Stephanie Crook reached on a walk, then scored as teammate Holly Piascik received a bases-loaded walk.
The Rams left the bases loaded in the first and second innings, and runners at 2nd, 3rd & 7th, as well as on 2nd & 3rd in the third inning. Randolph took the lead in the bottom of the fourth. The Rams went up 4-3 as Brittany Kerwick, Megan Donlon and Holly Piascik all scored. Kerwick lead off the inning with a walk. Donlon singled. Piascik doubled scoring two. Sophomore Rachel Klauber singled home Piascik.
Dover came right back. With one out, Caitlin Lally walked. A single by Elina Rallo set up Casey Boyle two-RBI triple. The Rams executed the long relay to near perfection and caught Rallo at home, spoiling the long-ball homerun. This play, amongst many, proved to be very decisive in the Rams victory.
The Tigers looked to put the game in the top of the 7th exploding for three more runs. Kristen Wollny led of the inning with a single. O’Connell’s home run with no outs increased Dover’s lead to 7-4. Casey Boyle followed with a two out Home run to give Dover an 8-4 lead going into the bottom of the 7th.
Randolph began the late heroics with singles by Samantha Agostinelli and Crook. Dana Zweibel and Donlon walked. All four Rams scored in the bottom of the 7th to tie it up at eight.
Zweibel would then reach in the bottom of the 8th with a one out walk. Holly Piascik hit a bomb scoring Zweibel and is credited with a single and the game winning RBI.

 

Morristown 2 – Chatham 1 (10 innings) – If you would have told a passer by that this was a MCT game, he would have definitely believed you. This 10 inning marathon had all the makings of a winner-take-all affair.
Morristown improved to 4-1 after an eventful 10th inning capped an evenly fought softball gem. Chatham only managed to send two batters to the plate in the top of the 10th. You may be asking yourself … Two batters? How? The Cougars began with a runner on 2nd-base to begin the top of the 10th. High School Softball uses an international tie-breaker that send the last batted out in the previous inning to second base. Chatham’s leadoff batter of the 10th reached on an error. She then stole second on the next pitch, putting the Cougars in great shape with runners at 2nd and 3rd and no outs. The next batter lined back to pitcher Blair Stittmann, which look more like a line drive out as apposed to a trapped ball. Stittmann, threw to 1st base for the out. An alert Sally Camelotto threw to 2ndbase for the second out of the series. Shortstop Alycia Ryan reacted quickly, tagging the runner moving back to second and firing the ball home for the tag out which completed the 1-3-6-2 triple play! Senior catcher Nicole Spiotta made the final tag at the plate.
Morristown responded quickly in the bottom of the tenth. Alycia Ryan started off at second base as per the international tie-breaker rule. Rebecca Satz sacrificed Ryan to third. Ryan then scored on a long shot by Camelotto scored Ryan ending an exciting 10-inning instant classic.
Blair Stittman picked up the victory, throwing from the 7th inning on. Stittmann relieved Junior Brittany Perri, who allowed only one run and three hits in the 1st six innings. Senior Cougar Amanda Costa went all 10 innings allowing just 7 hits and 2 runs. Freshman Alex St. Romain singled in the 6th and scored Chatham’s only run tying the game.

Softball: Morris Knolls 5 - Hanover Park 2 (4-10-07)

O’Conner K’s 9 as Eagles manage 5 runs on 4

By Coach Carchietta for MorrisCountyVaristy.net

Denville, NJ - It seemed like business as usual for the 3-0 Morris Knolls Golden Eagles. Never mind the cold. Never mind the strong and undefeated Hornets coming to Denville, ready to make some noise. The Eagles went out and just played softball the only way they know how. Morris Knolls was aggressive at the plate, aggressive on the base paths and even aggressive defensively, is that’s possible. Although Morris Knolls only managed four hits, the Eagles mounted a 5-0 lead by the end of the fifth on way to a 5-2 victory. Lead off batter Alysha Gilmore was hit by a pitch and Jen Biondi walked in the bottom of the first, both crossing the plate after a 1st & 3rd steal attempt turned south for the Hornets. Leading off the 2nd, Eve Rodrigues drove a solid line drive down the left field line that rocketed deep into left field for a stand up home run and a 3-0 lead. Kati Eggert and Crystal Lee scored in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively. The Hornets managed to get a run back in the top of the 6th and 7th. Christina Buono scored in the top the 6th and knocked in Tina Banta in the 7th, accounting for the Hornet runs. The Hornets scattered eight hits, most in the op of the 6th. Nicole Musso was the Hornet’s first base runner with a double in the 3rd, but caught at home on an attempted pick-off turned run-down. Hanover left 6 runners on base, four in scoring position. Maria O’Conner fanned 9 batters, only yielding one walk for the eagles. Morris Knolls improved to 3-0 with three quality wins and will face Morristown on Wednesday. The game versus the Colonials will be the first conference play for the Eagles this young season. Hanover meets Weequahic on Wednesday.

Softball: Morris Hills 10 - Parsippany 1

Moriarty fans 11, Bauer crushes a Homer for Hills
By Coach Carchietta for MorrisCountyVaristy.net (4-10-07)

Parsippany, NJ - Before you could blink, we were in the top of the 4th. Moriarty and Rubino were in control and it looked like extra innings were on the horizon. But then sophomore Michelle Bauer launched a missile deep into left field. Despite Red Hawk left fielders all out sprint and great relay to get the ball back to the infield, Bauer had already crossed home. The two-run homer put Morris Hills up 2-0. Parsippany managed to manufacture a run in the bottom of the fourth, as Noelle Grande scored after a series of miscues. Bauer finished with two hits on the spring afternoon, while scoring three times. Samantha Barker and Laura Urbanowicz finished with three hits a piece. The Scarlet Knights scored six runs off of starting pitching Kim Rubino. Rubino pitched the first 6 innings, striking out 5. Moriarty went all seven, striking out 11 and only allowing 3 hits. Two of the hits were by Red Hawk third-baseman Kelly Flanagan. The victory was the Scarlet Knight second in a row and moved the Rockaway school to 2-0 in conference play. Morris Hills will face preseason favorite West Essex on Wednesday.

Softball: Mt Olive 11 - Randolph 0 (4-5-07)

Dizinno, Archer guide Mt. Olive to win in opener
By Coach Carchietta for MorrisCountyVaristy.net

Randolph, NJ - Amidst frequent snowflakes and harassed by bitter cold and wind, Mt. Olive took advantage of six fourth inning walks and a timely hit to explode for 7 runs in the top of the 4th inning. Amanda Dizinno’s two extra base hits coupled with Emily Archer’s strong pitching led the Marauders to 11-0 victory in the opener for both Morris County Schools. Randolph recorded the first hit of the game. #9-hitter Dana Zweibel singled off Archer with two outs in the bottom of the 3rd. The Rans would not get another hit until Holly Piascik’s single to lead off the seventh.Sophomore Amanda Dizinno led off the top of the 4th with a triple. Emily Archer’s bases loaded walk brought home Dizinno. Emily Hurley also singled in the 4th knocking home Archer to give Mt. Olive a 4-0 lead. Mt. Olive only had two hits in the top of the 4th. The Mauraders added two more runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Katie Iatesta’s RBI-single brought home Angela DelViscovo, increasing the lead to 9-0. Amanda Dizinno added a one-out, solo home run in the top of the 7thSamantha Agostinelli struck out 6 in the losing effort and was hampered by the 6 walks in the 4th inning. The senior pitcher was strong through the first three innings holding Mt. Olive hitless until the 4th. Randolph plays Livingston on Monday in conference action. Mt. Olive travels to Warren Hills for a conference match-up on Saturday, then plays West Morris on Monday.

Baseball: Delbarton 3 - Montville 1 (4-21-07)

By Andrew Sidebottom for MorrisCountyVaristy.net (4-21-07)

Delbarton beat Montville 3-1, in a rain-shortened affair on Wednesday in Morris Township. This victory gave the Green Wave the inside track to the Northern Hills Conference Suburban Division crown.
This game was billed as a great match up as the #10 Mustangs visited the #5 Green Wave. The Mustangs sent their ace Chuck Matarazzo to hill and he was opposed by Darren Lang. These two all area pitchers were expected to shut down their opposition and that they did just that. Matarazzo set the tone in the bottom of the first, striking out the first two Green Wave batters. Lang was equally brilliant matching Matarazzo step for step. Montville opened up the scoring in the 4th when Jay Schwartz led off the inning with a single. The MCHSS.net Player of the Week moved to third on a double by Jimmy DeZao. Lee Gross plated Schwartz with a one-out double, making it 1-0. The Wave responded in the bottom of the fifth, when with one out, D.J. Anderson double and moved to third when Andrew Kolmar singled. Montville looked to be out of trouble when Nick Gaeta gunned downed Kolmar trying to steal second. But, Joe Bellini coaxed out a walk, giving Chuck Hager an opportunity at the plate. Hager’s fly ball had just enough oomph to clear the wall, giving Delbarton a 3-1 lead. Montville did not score in the sixth and in the bottom of the inning, the umpires called the game due to poor weather conditions.
Lang and Matarazzo were both spectacular, as they shut down two of the best offensive teams in the county. Lang, who earned the victory, went 6 innings, allowing five hits and no walks with two strike outs. Matarazzo took the tough-luck loss. He allowed five hits over five innings, with four walks, and set down three. That win helped to solidify Delbarton as the #1 seed for the MCT and helped to drop Montville down to #5.

Baseball: Pequannock (4-21-07)

Pequannock rebounds with Victory over Morris Hills

By Coach Carchietta for MorrisCountyVaristy.net

Rockaway, NJ - Pequannock came to Rockaway ready to play. Just 17 hours after a heart-breaking, 7-6 loss to MCHSS.net’s #1 Delbarton, Pequannock had to strap on the cleats and go up against the Daily Record’s #1 team … and the Panthers were up for the challenge.
Martin Kelly held the Knights scoreless for the first 5 innings. The sophomore was reached for two runs in the 6th, but ended the rally with a strikeout. Pequannock rapped out 6 runs in the 7th. Kelly helped his own cause at the plate, going 3-for-5 and scoring a run in the 7th after his second double of the day. Ten Pequannock’s batters had at least one hit as the Panthers handed Morris Hills their first loss of the season.

Baseball: Roxbury 12 - MO'Town 2 (4-9-07)

Miller, Mohr strong as Roxbury moves to 3-0By Coach Carchietta for MorrisCountyVaristy.net

Roxbury, NJ - When thing are going your way, you need to take advantage, and the Gaels did just that. Roxbury exploded for five runs in the first. Morristown committed two errors and Roxbury came through with three singles before the first out was recorded. Two triples later and Roxbury had mounted a 5-0 lead going into the second. Kevin Miller pounded out three hits, two singles and a double. The final single was a two-RBI rocket that capped the score at 12-2. The Gael second baseman knocked in 5 runners on the day. Todd Burdette and Scott Weaver added two hits and combined for 5 runs scored. Brian Mohr yielded just one hit, while striking out four. The strong righty pitched his way out of a bases loaded jam in the third. Mohr had his best inning in the second, striking out the final two batters.

Baseball: Morris Hills 2 - Par HIlls 1 (4-5-07)

Mirabella, Kestel lead Scarlet Knights past Vikings

By Dave Roberts for MorrisCountyVaristy.net

Rockaway, NJ - With Morris Hills ace Luke Mirabella toeing the rubber against the Parsippany Hills Vikings, the match up of Iron Hills heavyweights was a low-scoring affair. Striking out six while only walking two, Mirabella was in control the entire game bringing a no-hitter into the 4th.The Morris Hills offense provided early run support in the bottom of the 1st when a burly clean-up hitter named Kestel but also known as “Fudge” hit a hard grounder to the left fielder. The bouncing ball eluded Cory Elias and allowed Mirabella to score. With a 2-0 lead, Mirabella was cruising showing a good fastball and mixing in a nice variety of changeups and curveballs. In the 4th, the Vikings showed their first signs of life when Tommy Barbarite laced a single to break up the no-no. Barbarite followed it up in the bottom half of the frame with a web gem nominee when, at his third base position, he backhanded a short hop, then threw across his body to get the speedy Danny Meude.As the 5th inning came about Mirabella began showing signs of fatigue. “Usually you have all this energy to start the game and in the middle innings it fades some,” said the ace. Elias started the inning off with a perfect bunt which was then followed by a Brad Turner seeing-eye single. With 1st and 3rd and two out Mirabella surrendered a wild pitch and Elias scored. After yielding a walk and an infield hit, the Parsippany Hills bench looked energized. With the based loaded and two out Morris Hills right fielder James Castellano came barreling in to make a sliding grab in foul territory. A much relieved Mirabella commented with a wry smile, “for a sophomore, that Castellano is a pretty good player.”Still, there was more excitement to be had in the hills of Morris. In the bottom of the 6th, Mike Halbach came on in relief for the Vikings. He inherited bases loaded with only one out and managed to get out of the inning without surrendering any runs.With one out to go in the game I asked the Morris Hills coach if I could speak to the pitcher after the game. He said that it would not be a problem, just in the future ask after the game is over because it can be a jinx. The next pitch, Par Hills’ Rich Paluzzi hit what looked to be a home run but stood as a triple. Mirabella then reached back and got a pop-up to end the game. “I wasn’t nervous at all in the 7th…I enjoy it!” says Mirabella.After knocking off Par Hills, Morris Hills looks to their Wednesday match up against West Essex. A very talented Par Hills teams is now 0-2 and will meet Dover on Wednesday.

Monday, April 9, 2007

Baseball: Madsion 5 - Dover 4 (4-2-07)

By: Coach Carchietta for MorrisCountyHSsports.net

Sophomores Greg Brueckner and Dawris Gonzalez both showed signs of promising futures today at Dover. With both programs are sporting a majority of underclassman and newcomers in the starting line up, you wouldn’t expect either team to respond like veterans. But, up for the challenge on opening day, both squads erased deficits and battled until the final out. Madison won the season opener between to no non-conference foes 5-4. The Dodgers received clutch hitting performances from Steve Martin (2-4), Robert Emmerich (3-4), Matt Behre (2-4) and Pat Shea (2-4). The Dodgers struck first and led 1-0 as a result of a leadoff double by Behre in the top of the 2nd. Behre moved to third as Andrew Retica advanced the runner. An RBI-single by Greg Brueckner changed the scoreboard.The Tigers responded in the bottom of the third. Catcher Justin Hartman lead off the inning with a single. With one out, Luis Mendoza safely reached 1st on an infield single. DH John Garcia walked to load the bases for Gonzales. The Sophomore singles in two runs with a sharp drive to right. The Tigers added a third run on a well executed 1st and 3rd taking a 3-1 lead. Madison’s defense was still sharp and avoided a big inning. For the second time in the game, the Dodgers caught the runner from third breaking for home on contact. Both defensive plays kept Dover taking a commanding lead. Like true veterans, the Dodgers responded. Immediately. Behre singles. Retica doubles. A sharp ball down the line hit by Brueckner manages to squeak into right. A balk, a double by Shea and deep fly ball that was misplayed lead to a four run fourth for the Dodgers. Dover added a run in the fourth as Alex Firmenich lead off with a triple. Garcia’s single scored Firmenich to get the Tiger within one. Brueckner was sharp, despite the big third inning for the Tigers. The sophomore looked impressive in the first striking out two and leaving a running in scoring position; then again in the 5th. Brueckner used two more K’s to hold off the Tigers and leave runner stranded at 2nd and 3rd. Dover left 4 runners (out of 5 LOB) in scoring position and had two thrown out at the plate. Mother Nature took care of clearing up the sky and heating it up for perfect baseball weather. Madison and Dover took care of making it an entertaining game for those at hand.