By JR Parachini on CRANFORD, SPORTS, SPRINGFIELD
On Friday, May 27, 2011, the defending North 2, Group 3 champion Cranford baseball team lost at home to Mendham 7-3 in a N2, G3 quarterfinal. Somewhat remarkably, the Cougars have not lost a state tournament game since. Cranford takes a 16-game state tournament winning streak into Tuesday’s scheduled Group 3 semifinal vs. MountOlive at Belleville […]
By JR Parachini on SPORTS, SPRINGFIELD
Bulldogs move on to Group 1 semifinals, one win away from playing in Toms River for the program's first state championship
SPRINGFIELD – Dayton. DePalma. Dramatic. Here’s the pitch: DePalma smacks a fastball to right field that seems deep enough to get the runner in from third. Here comes Jeff Lau as he crosses home plate standing up. Ball game over. North Jersey, Section 2, Group 1 championship baseball game over. The top-seeded Dayton Bulldogs repeat […]
By JR Parachini on CRANFORD, SPORTS, SPRINGFIELD
Perhaps it’s only fitting that the last three Union County baseball teams still alive in state tournament play are defending sectional champions. Cranford – in North 2, Group 3 – Dayton – in North 2, Group 1 – and Westfield – in North 2, Group 4 – all got back to the finals in their […]
By JR Parachini on SPORTS, SUMMIT
Hilltoppers to face Red Bank in Group 2 state championship game at Monmouth University
SUMMIT – Head coach Mike Walsh’s immediate words to his Hilltoppers following another sectional championship won at home Wednesday afternoon were: “We play again on Saturday, girls, and what day is Saturday? (the ‘31st’ is yelled out). Yes, the 31st (of May) and what is our (ultimate) goal? That’s right, to play in June.” Summit is where […]
By editor on CLARK, CRANFORD, KENILWORTH, ROSELLE PARK, SPORTS, SPRINGFIELD, SUMMIT, UNION
STATE TOURNAMENTS INVOLVING UNION COUNTY TEAMS BASEBALL (9 still alive) Westfield, Summit, Cranford, New Providence, Dayton, Roselle Park, Union Catholic, Oratory Prep, Roselle Catholic. NORTH 2, GROUP 4: Semifinals Tuesday, May 27 4-Bridgewater-Raritan at 1-Westfield 3-Millburn at 2-Ridge Final Friday, May 30 At higher seed NORTH 2, GROUP 3: Semifinals Tuesday, May 27 13-Summit at 1-Cranford 7-Nutley at 3-West Essex Final Friday, May […]
By JR Parachini on HILLSIDE, ROSELLE, SPORTS
Two of the best high school football players in Union County to graduate in 2009 – Marquis Spruill of Hillside (6-1, 231) and Kendall James of Roselle (5-11, 180) – had gridiron dreams realized this past week. Both 22-year-olds were selected by NFL teams in the 2014 draft, with Spruill – a linebacker out […]
By editor on MOUNTAINSIDE, SPORTS
The championship game of the 61st annual baseball Union County Tournament was postponed Saturday because of rain and pushed back to Sunday, May 11 at Kean University at 1 p.m. Top-seeded Governor Livingston (17-3) will face third-seeded Westfield (13-3). GL and Westfield split Union County Conference-Watchung Division games. Westfield, which has won the most UCT […]
By JR Parachini on CRANFORD, MOUNTAINSIDE, SPORTS, SUMMIT, UNION
Highlanders are in final for fourth time and first time since 2011
UNION – For the third straight year Westfield – the team with the most county championships – will face a left-hander in title game. For the second straight season the Blue Devils will attempt to beat a hurler seeking to go 4-0 in UCT competition. Two years ago it took four innings, but Westfield was […]
By JR Parachini on CRANFORD, ELIZABETH, LINDEN, RAHWAY, ROSELLE, SPORTS, SUMMIT, UNION
Game is June 23 at Piscataway High School; North has another chance to take first series lead
PISCATAWAY – Summit senior Charlie Terry spent the fall season impressing a lot of people with his play at quarterback, leading the Hilltoppers to a perfect 12-0 record and the North 2, Group 3 state championship. Now the First Team All-County and Third Team All-State performer will get the opportunity to show what he can […]
Friday will be a special day for the Johnson High School baseball program. The 1974 team, which captured a sectional title, will be honored. As many as 11 members of the 1974 squad, along with head coach Louis Peragallo, will be attending. A pre-game ceremony will take place prior to Johnson’s scheduled 4 p.m. Union […]