Don Bosco, ranked No. 2 in the North Jersey Top 25, put itself in good position to earn the top seed in the Bergen County tournament by holding off No. 8 Hackensack, 2-1, in NJTCC action.
Joseph McNamara (4-1) threw a complete game, scattering three hits and striking out seven. He outpitched Hackensack ace Tim Swatek (4-1).
The Ironmen (16-3) scored two runs off Swatek in the bottom of the first. Nick Bruno drove in the first run with an infield out, and Matt Dacey doubled home another.
Dacey, an impressive sophomore, had two of Bosco's seven hits. Pat Joel added a double and a triple.
The Record
Don Bosco’s baseball season probably can be best defined by a series of measuring-stick games leading up to the Bergen County and State tournaments.
Last weekend’s win over Calvert Hall in Maryland was one such game. So is the much-anticipated April 30 showdown with archrival St. Joseph.
Then there was Saturday.
The Ironmen got a chance to see how they measure up against Delbarton, one of the premier teams in New Jersey and one their chief rivals for a State title. For now, it’s advantage Delbarton.
"In baseball, you’re going to lose games," Bosco coach Mike Stanton said after the Ironmen, ranked No. 3 in the North Jersey Top 25, dropped a heartbreaking 4-3 decision at Delbarton’s Fleury Field. "There’s no way around it."
That may be true, but this one probably will sting for a while because of the way it ended. The Ironmen (6-2) allowed Delbarton (7-2) to score two runs with two out in the bottom of the seventh off ace Eric Stevens.
Stevens (2-2), who threw a strong game, had two outs with a runner on first when he walked leadoff hitter Matt Kastner for the third time. Kastner is one of Delbarton’s best hitters, and it was his long two-out triple in the fifth inning that tied the game at 1.
"Eric threw very good again," Stanton said. "He wasn’t quite as sharp as he was in his last outing [Monday against Wayne Hills], but he was aggressive and he stayed ahead of the hitters."
Stevens, a senior right-hander bound for Boston College, also did everything he could to finish the job. He got John Elson to hit a bouncer to second base that was misplayed as the tying run raced home.
Matt DeRenzi, Delbarton’s No. 3 hitter, followed with a sharp grounder back up the middle that was knocked down as Kastner came home with the winning run.
Just like that, Bosco’s six-game winning streak was history.
"That was a great ballgame; one of those games where it’s a shame someone has to lose," Stanton said. "I told the players right afterward that I thought they played a great game. There were a couple of mistakes that cost us, but that’s how baseball is."
This was a big win for Delbarton. The Green Wave were coming off Friday’s 4-3 loss to Pope John, and they came within one out of having their two top pitchers lose consecutive one-run games.
Delbarton was aggressive on the bases. The Green Wave stole five bases in six attempts, two by Kastner, and even tried — and failed — on a suicide squeeze.
By: MARK J. CZERWINSKI
Photo Credit: GEORGE MCNISH
The Record
This wasn’t the NNJIL Division C championship game as was the recent custom when Don Bosco and St. Joseph played a regular-season baseball game. Heck, these teams aren’t even in the same NJTCC division.
And there is a good chance the Ironmen and Green Knights could meet twice more this season with the stakes monumentally higher.
But that doesn’t mean Friday’s 5-1 win by Don Bosco, ranked No. 3 in the North Jersey Top 25, over No. 1 St. Joseph wasn’t significant. It was one of those big-picture games that both teams will be mulling for quite some time.
"To get the first win of this series is big," said Bosco senior ace Eric Stevens, who tossed a six-hitter. "This gives us a real confidence boost. And if we see them in the County or State tournament, well, so be it. We’ll come out ready again."
This was a nice bounce-back win for the Ironmen (12-3), who may have got caught looking ahead when they lost to DePaul on Wednesday. They played crisp defense behind Stevens (2-2), who was pitching for the first time since losing to Delbarton two weeks ago, and were able to string together some hits against St. Joseph ace Artie Lewicki (5-1).
"In the big picture, it’s a big win," said Bosco coach Mike Stanton. "It doesn’t matter what league we’re in. These are the games the kids get up for. They showed up and played."
Bosco took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning on RBI singles by Ken O’Donnell and George Iskandarian. The big play in the inning was an errant pickoff throw by Lewicki with one out that set the stage for the rally.
"That pickoff changed the whole complexion of the game," said St. Joseph coach Frank Salvano.
The Ironmen scored two more runs in the fifth on an error and a controversial play in the outfield when a ball was kicked out of bounds. Salvano argued the call and was ejected from the game, which means he’s automatically suspended for the next two games.
That means Salvano won’t get to coach against Joe Cervino of Paramus on Monday in a matchup of 500-game winners. That’s also a game that should have a huge impact on the seeding for the Bergen County tournament.
"This game means we have to go out now and play harder," said Lewicki, who allowed 10 hits and struck out eight. "We had a chance to make the plays, and we didn’t get it done. Now we’ve got to bounce back Monday.
The Boston College-bound Stevens struck out eight and walked two. His one mistake was turned into a long home run by Tyler Fortanascio in the top of the sixth.
"That was the one pitch I wanted back, but it didn’t hurt us in the end," Stevens said.
"Eric has thrown that way the whole year," Stanton said. "He has been, without a doubt, our horse, and he showed it again . I don’t think I could’ve taken him out even if I wanted to."
By: MARK J. CZERWINSKI
Photo Credit: MICHAEL KARAS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The Record
Don Bosco baseball coach Mike Stanton said his everyday lineup basically is a work in progress.
The Ironmen still are a little rough around the edges, prone to the kind of mistakes you'd expect from a team breaking in a bevy of new regulars. Put Boston College-bound senior Eric Stevens on the mound, however, and it's not hard to imagine what the finished product is going to look like.
That's because Stevens is one of those pitchers who makes growing pains seem almost invisible. He threw a gem Monday, scattering three hits and striking out 11 as the Ironmen, ranked No. 3 in the North Jersey Top 25, beat No. 6 Wayne Hills, 11-1, in a six-inning NJTCC matchup.
"I like leading the team and setting an example," Stevens said. "The young guys are starting to step up big, and the key seniors are coming through.
"Losing on opening day [to Paramus] was a good wakeup call. We've put together a nice string of games since then."
The Ironmen (5-1) have won five straight, and face one of their biggest tests of the season Saturday when they travel to state powerhouse Delbarton. Stevens (2-1) is penciled in for that start, and this game was a good warmup.
The Patriots (5-1) had no answer for Stevens' hard sinker. They didn't hit a ball in the air the entire game, and scored only one unearned run in the top of the sixth inning.
"I felt good," Stevens said. "What really helped was the offense getting six runs in the first inning. When the offense puts runs on the board like that, it's a big help because, as a pitcher, you can attack the zone more."
Even Wayne Hills coach Chris Ianneillo admitted that his team may have come out a little tight in the Patriots' first game against the Ironmen. Bosco had only three hits in the first inning, but were helped out by two errors, two walks and a fielder's choice on a line drive that struck the umpire.
"I think we were trying to do too much," said Ianneillo, whose team faces No. 1 Paramus on Wednesday "Maybe we were too fired up."
Second baseman George Iskenderian had the big blow in the first, a bases-loaded triple that made it 5-0. Stevens had two hits and an RBI, and Matt Dacey, an impressive sophomore first baseman who seems to have a good eye at the plate, added two hits and two RBI.
BY MARK J. CZERWINSKI
Photo Credit: CARMINE GALASSO
For the entire story go to The Record...
Don Bosco baseball coach Mike Stanton said his everyday lineup basically is a work in progress.
The Ironmen still are a little rough around the edges, prone to the kind of mistakes you'd expect from a team breaking in a bevy of new regulars. Put Boston College-bound senior Eric Stevens on the mound, however, and it's not hard to imagine what the finished product is going to look like.
That's because Stevens is one of those pitchers who makes growing pains seem almost invisible. He threw a gem Monday, scattering three hits and striking out 11 as the Ironmen, ranked No. 3 in the North Jersey Top 25, beat No. 6 Wayne Hills, 11-1, in a six-inning NJTCC matchup.
"I like leading the team and setting an example," Stevens said. "The young guys are starting to step up big, and the key seniors are coming through.
"Losing on opening day [to Paramus] was a good wakeup call. We've put together a nice string of games since then."
The Ironmen (5-1) have won five straight, and face one of their biggest tests of the season Saturday when they travel to state powerhouse Delbarton. Stevens (2-1) is penciled in for that start, and this game was a good warmup.
The Patriots (5-1) had no answer for Stevens' hard sinker. They didn't hit a ball in the air the entire game, and scored only one unearned run in the top of the sixth inning.
"I felt good," Stevens said. "What really helped was the offense getting six runs in the first inning. When the offense puts runs on the board like that, it's a big help because, as a pitcher, you can attack the zone more."
Even Wayne Hills coach Chris Ianneillo admitted that his team may have come out a little tight in the Patriots' first game against the Ironmen. Bosco had only three hits in the first inning, but were helped out by two errors, two walks and a fielder's choice on a line drive that struck the umpire.
"I think we were trying to do too much," said Ianneillo, whose team faces No. 1 Paramus on Wednesday "Maybe we were too fired up."
Second baseman George Iskenderian had the big blow in the first, a bases-loaded triple that made it 5-0. Stevens had two hits and an RBI, and Matt Dacey, an impressive sophomore first baseman who seems to have a good eye at the plate, added two hits and two RBI.
BY MARK J. CZERWINSKI
Photo Credit: CARMINE GALASSO
For the entire story go to The Record...
Mike Stanton has three World Series rings and pitched in countless big games throughout his remarkable 20-year professional baseball career.
His biggest challenge on the diamond in quite some time came just moments after his debut as the head coach at Don Bosco, Thursday’s 3-1 loss to Paramus. That’s when the 42-year-old former All-Star had to convince a dugout full of teenagers that one game does not make a season, even if it felt that way.
“Everybody’s going to lose at some point, and I think that’s the lesson you have to take from this,” Stanton said. “You’ve got to realize that what happened here with Don Bosco two years ago [an undefeated season] isn’t supposed to happen. Obviously, you want to win every game you play, like they did two seasons ago, but our inexperience showed.
“Sometimes you have to tip your hat to the other team.”
The game itself was a showdown between two of North Jersey’s best teams, but was also compelling because of the contrast of the two opposing coaches.
Two baseball men, for sure, from two completely different ends of the sport’s spectrum.
Stanton ended up in his first game as a head coach facing Paramus’ Joe Cervino, whose 29-year legacy includes 492 victories and numerous championships.
On this day, the veteran and one of the best public school programs around trumped the rookie with the big-league résumé and the non-public powerhouse now in his control.
“Oh yeah, I’d definitely give some of that up for one of his rings,” Cervino joked before the game. “I never made the big leagues, but I got to wear Lou Brock’s jersey in my one season in the minors with the Cardinals back in 1971.
“I had one season, but then I took a job coaching high school baseball and it’s been my life ever since.”
Experience was clearly decisive Thursday, with Paramus doing everything right during a fundamentally sound performance that spoiled opening day for Stanton and Don Bosco.
Senior left-hander Mike Epstein kept the Ironmen off balance by changing speeds for six-plus innings, giving way to junior right-hander Joey Szorentini, who shut down a Don Bosco threat in the top of the seventh to preserve the triumph.
READ MORE...
Picture courtesy of Carmine Galasso
Mike Stanton has three World Series rings and pitched in countless big games throughout his remarkable 20-year professional baseball career.
His biggest challenge on the diamond in quite some time came just moments after his debut as the head coach at Don Bosco, Thursday’s 3-1 loss to Paramus. That’s when the 42-year-old former All-Star had to convince a dugout full of teenagers that one game does not make a season, even if it felt that way.
“Everybody’s going to lose at some point, and I think that’s the lesson you have to take from this,” Stanton said. “You’ve got to realize that what happened here with Don Bosco two years ago [an undefeated season] isn’t supposed to happen. Obviously, you want to win every game you play, like they did two seasons ago, but our inexperience showed.
“Sometimes you have to tip your hat to the other team.”
The game itself was a showdown between two of North Jersey’s best teams, but was also compelling because of the contrast of the two opposing coaches.
Two baseball men, for sure, from two completely different ends of the sport’s spectrum.
Stanton ended up in his first game as a head coach facing Paramus’ Joe Cervino, whose 29-year legacy includes 492 victories and numerous championships.
On this day, the veteran and one of the best public school programs around trumped the rookie with the big-league résumé and the non-public powerhouse now in his control.
“Oh yeah, I’d definitely give some of that up for one of his rings,” Cervino joked before the game. “I never made the big leagues, but I got to wear Lou Brock’s jersey in my one season in the minors with the Cardinals back in 1971.
“I had one season, but then I took a job coaching high school baseball and it’s been my life ever since.”
Experience was clearly decisive Thursday, with Paramus doing everything right during a fundamentally sound performance that spoiled opening day for Stanton and Don Bosco.
Senior left-hander Mike Epstein kept the Ironmen off balance by changing speeds for six-plus innings, giving way to junior right-hander Joey Szorentini, who shut down a Don Bosco threat in the top of the seventh to preserve the triumph.
READ MORE...
Picture courtesy of Carmine Galasso
The baseball team kicks off the season with a #2 ranking. Memories of their undefeated season are still fresh, but first year coach Mike Stanton knows that their undefeated season is a memory. Bosco is very young and will rely on many underclassmen during the season.
1. St. Joseph (27-4)
2. Don Bosco (26-5)
3. Ramsey (22-6)
4. Pequannock (23-6)
5. Old Tappan (20-12)
6. Ramapo (22-10)
7. Paramus (21-8)
8. Pascack Valley (13-12-1)
9. St. Mary (21-7)
10. Indian Hills (19-9)
The baseball team kicks off the season with a #2 ranking. Memories of their undefeated season are still fresh, but first year coach Mike Stanton knows that their undefeated season is a memory. Bosco is very young and will rely on many underclassmen during the season.
1. St. Joseph (27-4)
2. Don Bosco (26-5)
3. Ramsey (22-6)
4. Pequannock (23-6)
5. Old Tappan (20-12)
6. Ramapo (22-10)
7. Paramus (21-8)
8. Pascack Valley (13-12-1)
9. St. Mary (21-7)
10. Indian Hills (19-9)
Former New York Yankees pitcher Mike Stanton takes over the reins of one of New Jersey top rated programs. The Ironmen have a preseason ranking of 2, according to the Bergen Record, but are looking to replace the familiar names that were a mainstay in the lineup over the last couple of years. Eric Stevens, a Boston College recruit, will be the ace of the staff, but their will be contributions from many, which include Michael Gomez, Joe McNamara, Jordan Gross, Tyler Mitts and Steve Lombardi.
The position players are led by catcher Ken O’Donnell and OF Nick Bruno, but should get some help from Matt Dacy and Grant Van Orden, both sophomores.
Former New York Yankees pitcher Mike Stanton takes over the reins of one of New Jersey top rated programs. The Ironmen have a preseason ranking of 2, according to the Bergen Record, but are looking to replace the familiar names that were a mainstay in the lineup over the last couple of years. Eric Stevens, a Boston College recruit, will be the ace of the staff, but their will be contributions from many, which include Michael Gomez, Joe McNamara, Jordan Gross, Tyler Mitts and Steve Lombardi.
The position players are led by catcher Ken O’Donnell and OF Nick Bruno, but should get some help from Matt Dacy and Grant Van Orden, both sophomores.
Don Bosco Prep administration, coaches and parents gathered for the signing of two of its varsity baseball players, who are committing to nationally ranked teams.
Seated in photo are: Joseph McNamara - Lehigh University - pitcher (from Wyckoff)
Eric Stevens - Boston College - pitcher (from Pompton Lakes)
Standing in photo: Don Bosco Prep Athletic Director Nunzio Campanile, Don Bosco Prep Principal John Stanczak, and New DBP Head Baseball Coach Mike Stanton, former Yankee pitcher.
Don Bosco Prep administration, coaches and parents gathered for the signing of two of its varsity baseball players, who are committing to nationally ranked teams.
Seated in photo are: Joseph McNamara - Lehigh University - pitcher (from Wyckoff)
Eric Stevens - Boston College - pitcher (from Pompton Lakes)
Standing in photo: Don Bosco Prep Athletic Director Nunzio Campanile, Don Bosco Prep Principal John Stanczak, and New DBP Head Baseball Coach Mike Stanton, former Yankee pitcher.
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