Many times it feels like the champion in Union County will come down to Cranford vs. Governor Livingston.
That will be the case twice on May 9 at Kean University in Union.
For the second year in a row the matchups for the Union County Tournament baseball and softball games are the same.
This Saturday, May 9 at Kean, it will be third-seeded Cranford vs. top-seeded Gov. Livingston at 2:30 p.m. at Jim Hynes’ Class of 1963 Field for the baseball crown, while it will be fifth-seeded Cranford vs. second-seeded GL at 2 p.m. at Cougar Field for the softball trophy.
On the baseball side, Cranford is 8-0 in its last eight trips to the final – all under head coach Dennis McCaffery. Prior to that, Cranford was 0-6 in the final.
McCaffery has guided Cranford to all eight of its county crowns. The Cougars are 8-6 in the final and last won the championship in 2013.
GL is 0-4 in the final and 0-3 under head coach Chris Roof. The Highlanders, who were also the top seed a year ago, lost in the 2014 final to Westfield 5-3.
McCaffery has been at the helm of Cranford since 1999 and in his first 16 seasons guided Cranford to UCT titles in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2013.
Roof has been at the helm of GL since 2004 and in his first 11 seasons guided the Highlandes to UCT finals appearances in 2007, 2011 and 2014.
On the softball side, GL last won the county championship in 2012 when it repeated as champs for the first time. The Highlanders are now led by Roof’s younger brother, Mike.
GL has won the UCT five times, including in 1997, 1999, 2001, 2011 and 2012.
Cranford has also won the UCT five times, most recently in 2010. The Cougars also won in 2002, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and they are the last school to win the crown three straight seasons.
Last year Westfield won both crowns, with the baseball team defeating GL 5-3 in the final and the softball squad downing the Highlanders 5-2 in the title contest, both games played at Kean.
GL is in the championship game for the sixth straight season.
From 1997-2010, GL and Cranford faced each other in the final three times, with GL winning in 1997 and Cranford in 2006 and 2010.
More to come.
UCT BASEBALL
Final
Saturday, May 9
at Kean University
3-Cranford vs. 1-Governor Livingston, 2:30 p.m.
Semifinals
Saturday, May 2
at Elizabeth’s Williams Field
Cranford 12, Summit 2
Governor Livingston 5, Johnson 3
* * *
UCT SOFTBALL
FINAL
Saturday, May 9
At Kean University
5-Cranford vs. 2-Gov. Livingston, 2 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
Saturday, May 2
At Linden
Cranford 6, Johnson 1
Governor Livingston 5, Rahway 4
QUARTERFINALS
Friday, May 1
At Linden
Cranford 4, Westfield 3
Gov. Livingston 10, Scotch Plains 0
Rahway 12, Elizabeth 2
Johnson 15, Brearley 0
* * *
CRANFORD BASEBALL 8-0
IN UCT FINAL UNDER
HEAD COACH DENNIS McCAFFERY
2013: Cranford 8, Westfield 0 – at Kean
2011: Cranford 14, Gov. Livingston 1 – at Kean
2010: Cranford 6, Westfield 5 – at Elizabeth
2007: Cranford 7, Gov. Livingston 1 – at Linden
2003: Cranford 7, Linden 4 – at Linden
2001: Cranford 11, Plainfield 1 – at Linden
2000: Cranford 10, Rahway 0 – at Linden
1999: Cranford 6, New Providence 5 – at Linden
NOTES: Cranford is 8-6 in the UCT final. McCaffery was an assistant coach under James Shriner when the Cougars lost the 1998 final to Summit 5-4. Cranford’s other losses in the final came in 1978, 1976, 1975, 1971 and 1969.
GL BASEBALL 0-3
IN UCT FINAL UNDER
HEAD COACH CHRIS ROOF
2014: Westfield 5, Gov. Livingston 3 – at Kean
2011: Cranford 14, Gov. Livingston 1 – at Kean
2007: Cranford 7, Gov. Livingston 1 – at Linden
NOTES: GL is 0-4 in the UCT final. Roof was an assistant coach under Bill Howard for the Highlanders for the years 1997, 1998 and 1999, with GL winning the Group 2 state championship for the first time in 1999. Roof played for Howard before graduating from GL in 1992. GL first reached the UCT final in 1996, falling to two-time defending champion Westfield 7-0 in the final at Linden.
* * *
62nd BASEBALL
UNION COUNTY TOURNAMENT
SEEDS: 1-Gov. Livingston. 2-Scotch Plains. 3-Cranford
4-Johnson, 5-Elizabeth 6-Westfield. 7-Dayton. 8-Union.
9-Roselle Park. 10-Summit. 11-New Providence. 12-Linden.
13-Union Catholic. 14-Rahway. 15-Oratory Prep. 16-Brearley.
17-Plainfield. 18-Roselle Catholic. 19-Hillside.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Wednesday, April 22
Oratory Prep 4, Roselle Catholic 3
Thursday, April 23
Rahway 11, Hillside 1
Brearley 8, Plainfield 3
FIRST ROUND
Saturday, April 25
Union 5, Roselle Park 0
Summit 6, Dayton 5
Cranford 11, Rahway 0
Gov. Livingston 4, Brearley 0
Elizabeth 7, Linden 6
Johnson 9, Union Catholic 1
Westfield 7, New Providence 0
Scotch Plains 12, Oratory Prep 1
QUARTERFINALS
Wednesday, April 29
Johnson 11, Elizabeth 2
Gov. Livingston 12, Union 0
Cranford 4, Westfield 2
Summit 8, Scotch Plains 7
SEMIFINALS
Saturday, May 2
At Elizabeth’s Williams Field
Cranford 12, Summit 2
Gov. Livingston 5, Johnson 3
FINAL
Saturday, May 9
At Kean University
3-Cranford vs. 1-Gov. Livingston, 2:30 p.m.
UNION COUNTY TOURNAMENT
CHAMPIONS:
2014: Westfield 5, Gov. Livingston 3
WP: Brad DeMartino. LP: Ethan Frohman.
2013: Cranford 8, Westfield 0
WP: Ryan Williamson. LP: Kevin Galasso.
2012: Westfield 13, Union 3
WP: Mike Mondon. LP: Devin Zimmerman.
2011: Cranford 14, Gov. Livingston 1
WP: Kurt Rutmayer. LP: Joey Graziano.
2010: Cranford 6, Westfield 5
WP: Ryan Williamson. LP: Aiden Scanlon.
2009: Scotch Plains 2, Westfield 1 (10 inn.)
WP: Gary Binkiewicz. LP: Aiden Scanlon.
2008: Elizabeth 4, Westfield 2
WP: Gio Caraballo. LP: Chris Jenkins.
2007: Cranford 7, Gov. Livingston 1
WP: Dan Moreno. LP: Anthony Corsi.
2006: Westfield 9, Roselle Catholic 0
WP: Craig Ellis. LP: Nick Nolan.
2005: Roselle Catholic 6, Dayton 2
WP: Nick Nolan. LP: York Cook.
2004: Scotch Plains 3, Roselle Catholic 1
WP: James Scalfaro. LP: Nick Nolan.
2003: Cranford 7, Linden 4
WP: Brian Ciencin. LP: Mike Loureiro
2002: Westfield 7, Johnson 4
WP: Jay Cook. LP: Drew Thomas.
2001: Cranford 11, Plainfield 1
WP: Tom Polito. LP: Eladio Ortiz.
2000: Cranford 10, Rahway 0
WP: Tom Polito. LP: Steve Brown.
1999: Cranford 6, New Providence 5
WP: Tom Polito. LP: Todd Simo.
1998: Summit 5, Cranford 4
WP: Jared Chellevold. LP: Steve Brown.
1997: Westfield 7, Summit 1
WP: Matt Williams. LP: Jared Chellevold
1996: Westfield 7, Gov. Livingston 0
WP: Brian Ciemniecki. LP: Eric Brown.
1995: Westfield 3, Elizabeth 0
WP: Kris Williams. LP: Al Hawkins
1994: Westfield 7, Elizabeth 5
WP: Chris Vogel. LP: Al Hawkins
1993: Union 5, Westfield 3
WP: Eric Shaw. LP: Chris Vogel.
1992: Summit 10, Linden 4
WP: Garth Ballantyne. LP: Bryan Kosiba.
1991: Elizabeth 10, Westfield 1
WP: Pat Migliore. LP: John Fox.
1990: Rahway 2, Elizabeth 0
WP: Pat Jackson. LP: Pat Migliore.
1989: Elizabeth 7, Linden 2
WP: Charlie Garcia. LP: Ariel Lopez.
1988: Brearley 8, Rahway 1
WP: Mike Chalenski. LP: Frank Jones.
1987: Westfield 13, Elizabeth 12
WP: Clint Factor. LP: Greg Randazza.
1986: Westfield 9, Linden 6
WP: Clint Factor. LP: Rob Shaloub.
1985: Elizabeth 7, Union 5
WP: Fred Gamboa. LP: Mike Lawlor.
1984: Union Catholic 6, Elizabeth 5
WP: Greg Lepore. LP: Chris Wnek.
1983: Elizabeth 9, Westfield 8
WP: Angel Hajie. LP: Rob Rotunda.
1982: Linden 3, Elizabeth 2
WP: Tony Melise. LP: Laz Alfonso.
1981: New Providence 2, Union 1
WP: Steve Gelmine. LP: John Rubinetti.
1980: Johnson 5, New Providence 2
WP: Ken Petren. LP: Steve Gelmine.
1979: Summit 2, St. Mary’s 0
WP: John Murray. LP: Belamino Suarez.
1978: Westfield 3, Cranford 2
WP: K.C. Knobloch. LP: Scott Kley.
1977: New Providence 6, Westfield 1
WP: Doug Rillo. LP: K.C. Knobloch.
1976: Scotch Plains 1, Cranford 0
WP: Eddie Reilly. LP: Jim Carsey.
1975: Union 15, Cranford 0
WP: Frank Araneo. LP: Joe Gachko.
1974: St. Patrick’s 5, Union 3
WP: Bob Hynes. LP: Frank Araneo.
1973: Union 1, Johnson 0
WP: Bob Hughes. LP: Bob Schwankert.
1972: Summit 1, Union 0
WP: Mike Reid. LP: Stan Jakubowski.
1971: Roselle Catholic 3, Cranford 0
WP: Tom Byrnes. LP: Steve Gachko.
1970: Union 4, Jefferson 0
WP: Neil Gold. LP: Bob Brescher.
1969: Scotch Plains 5, Cranford 2
WP: Dave Klaatava. LP: Dan Costanzo.
1968: Westfield 2, Union 1
WP: Frank Tokash. LP: Sandy Weber.
1967: Union 17, Jefferson 2
WP: Jim Clee. LP: Jim Cowen.
1966: Westfield 13, Roselle 1
WP: Don Anderson. LP: Terry Arendt.
1965: Union 10, Westfield 2
WP: Al Santorini. LP: Greg Chlan.
1964: Union 3, Roselle 0
WP: Al Santorini. LP: Sal Riggi.
1963: Westfield 5, Springfield 4
WP: Jim Smith. LP: Bill Kretzger.
1962: Union 3, Jefferson 1
WP: Bob Castiglione. LP: Bob Krok.
1961: Rahway 6, Linden 5
WP: Tom Hoagland. LP: Ray Crepeau.
1960: Linden 4, St. Mary’s 2
WP: Ed Apalanski. LP: Rich Burke.
1959: St. Mary’s 7, Rahway 2
WP: Bill Henry. LP: Rich Kiehn.
1958: Rahway 3, Roselle 1
WP: Thelmore James. LP: Ed Jones.
1957: Linden 7, Rahway 5
WP: Frank Russo. LPK Fred Kast.
1956: Rahway 4, Scotch Plains 0
WP: Fred Henderson. LP: Bill Booth.
1955: Jefferson 4, Linden 0
WP: Richie Jones. LP: Ron Perry
1954: Springfield 4, Jefferson 2
WP: Joe Schaffernoth. LP: Richie Jones.
Championships: Westfield (14), Cranford (8),
Union (8), Elizabeth (5), Rahway (4),
Scotch Plains (4), Summit (4), Linden (3),
New Providence (2), Roselle Catholic (2),
Brearley (1), Dayton (1), Johnson (1),
St. Mary’s, Elizabeth (1), St. Patrick (1),
Union Catholic (1).
* * *
40TH SOFTBALL
UNION COUNTY TOURNAMENT
SEEDS: 1-Johnson. 2-Gov. Livingston. 3-Rahway. 4-Westfield.
5-Cranford. 6-Elizabeth. 7-Scotch Plains. 8-Brearley.
9-Union. 10-Union Catholic. 11-Dayton. 12-Summit.
13-Roselle Park. 14-Linden. 15-Kent Place. 16-Benedictine.
17-Oak Knoll. 18-Plainfield. 19-Roselle Catholic.
20-New Providence.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Wednesday, April 22
Linden 19, Roselle Catholic 8
Thursday, April 23
Benedictine 16, Oak Knoll 4
Kent Place 10, Plainfield 7
Roselle Park 9, New Providence 8
FIRST ROUND
Friday, April 24
Johnson 11, Benedictine 1
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
Westfield 12, Roselle Park 3
Cranford 3, Summit 1
Gov. Livingston 20, Kent Place 2
Brearley 10, Union 1
Elizabeth 4, Dayton 3
Scotch Plains 14, Union Catholic 6
Rahway 11, Linden 1
QUARTERFINALS
Friday, May 1
At Linden
Cranford 4, Westfield 3
Gov. Livingston 10, Scotch Plains 0
Rahway 12, Elizabeth 2
Johnson 15, Brearley 0
SEMIFINALS
Saturday, May 2
At Linden
Cranford 6, Johnson 1
Gov. Livingston 5, Rahway 4
FINAL
Saturday, May 9
At Kean University
5-Cranford vs. 2-Gov. Livingston, 2 p.m.
UCT SOFTBALL CHAMPIONS:
2014: Westfield – WP: Elena Scarano
2013: Westfield – WP: Elena Scarano
2012: Governor Livingston – WP: Jordan Robbins
2011: Governor Livingston – WP: Jordan Robbins
2010: Cranford – WP: Kelly Hardman
2009: Union – WP: Amanda Kardys
2008: Cranford – WP: Kelly Hardman
2007: Cranford – WP: Kelly Hardman
2006: Cranford – WP: Elena Morge
2005: Brearley – WP: Jenna Vitale
2004: Roselle Park – WP: Becky Riccitelli
2003: Roselle Park – WP: Becky Riccitelli
2002: Cranford
2001: Governor Livingston
2000: Union – WP: Rayneesha Adams
1999: Governor Livingston
1998: Westfield – won as 6th seed; WP: Shannon Wagner
1997: Governor Livingston
1996: Union – WP: Laura Labonia
1995: Union – WP: Laura Labonia
1994: Union – WP: Laura Labonia
1993: Union
1992: Union
1991: Union
1990: Westfield
1989: Union Catholic
1988: Union
1987: Union
1986: Westfield
1985: Westfield
1984: Westfield
1983: Union
1982: Roselle Park
1981: Johnson Regional
1980: Linden
1979: Johnson Regional
1978: Westfield
1977: Scotch Plains
1976: Westfield
Championships: Union (11), Westfield (9),
Gov. Livingston (5), Cranford (5),
Roselle Park (3), Johnson Regional (2),
Scotch Plains (1), Linden (1), Union Catholic (1), Brearley (1).
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SCORES:
2014: Westfield 5, Governor Livingston 2 – at Kean
2013: Westfield 15, GL 1 – at Kean
2012: GL 9, New Providence 2 – at Kean
2011: GL 8, Westfield 1 – at Kean
2010: Cranford 4, GL 3 – at Kean
2009: Union 3, Linden 1 – at Linden
2008: Cranford 2, Union 0 – at Linden
2007: Cranford 13, Linden 0 – at Linden
2006: Cranford 1, GL 0 – at Linden
2005: Brearley 2, GL 1 (10 inn.) – at Linden
2004: Roselle Park 2, Cranford 1 (13 inn.) – at Linden
2003: Roselle Park 1, Cranford 0 (11 inn.) – at Linden
2002: Cranford 3, Union 0 – at Linden
2001: GL 3, Scotch Plains 0 – at Linden
2000: Union 2, GL 1 – at Linden
1999: GL 8, Johnson 3 – at Linden
1998: Westfield 9, Roselle Park 0 – at Linden
1997: GL 5, Cranford 0 – at Linden
1996: Union 4, Johnson 3 – at Linden
1995: Union 11, Westfield 0 – at Linden
1994: Union 8, Cranford 7 – at Linden
1993: Union 16, Cranford 14 – at Linden
1992: Union 13, Westfield 0 – at Linden
1991: Union 1, Roselle Park 0 – at Linden
1990: Westfield 3, Union 0 – at Linden
1989: Union Catholic 4, Union 2 – at Linden
1988: Union 1, Roselle Park 0 – at Linden
1987: Union 3, Roselle Park 0 – at Linden