Sunday, June 1, 2008

By Cory K. Doviak
NJS.com Editorial Director

Steve Proscia whacked a first inning two-run homer to put Bosco in front for good in its 8-1 win over Ramapo in the semifinals of the Bergen County Tournament on Saturday afternoon.

DEMAREST -- To beat Don Bosco Prep, a team that came into Saturday's Bergen County Tournament semifinal as the undefeated two-time defending champion, a No. 1 national ranking and as a perfect 29 for 29 in wins to games played this season; it is going to take an opponent playing a perfect game and some luck to go its way. Ramapo gave it a shot and even had a lead after a half-inning of play, but the Raiders' early advantage and their shot at the upset of all upsets exited the playing field over the left field fence during Bosco’s first turn at bat.

Steve Torrisi’s triple with two outs to deep centerfield scored Kevin O’Connor in the top of the first inning as fourth-seeded Ramapo jumped in front, but Steve Proscia restored Bosco’s air of invincibility in the bottom of the inning when, with Mike Vargas on at second base with two outs, he crushed a no-doubter over the left field fence to give the Ironmen the lead for good.

Steve Torrisi's first inning triple gave Ramapo an early 1-0 lead.

Bosco continued to tack through a variety of well-placed hits, untimely Ramapo errors and aggressive base-running in an 8-1 win at Demarest High School on Saturday afternoon. The win sets up Sunday’s final against second-seeded St. Joseph, an 11-1 winner over Old Tappan in the second semifinal, in a matchup that just about everyone could see coming before the season even began.

“We know a team is going to come out against us and try to strike first, so I knew we had come back there with a couple of runs,” said Proscia, who provided just that with the eighth county tournament home run of his career, a record. “I just went up there with a nice easy approach and put a good piece on the ball and sent it out to give my team a lead.”

And that was more than enough for Niko Spezial, Bosco’s junior lefthander who gave up those two first inning hits, but then just three more the rest of the way in a complete game win.

Spezial struck out five and walked just two in improving to 5-0 on the season while Bosco is now a perfect 30 for 30.

Niko Spezial gave up just five hits in a complete game win that improved his record to 5-0 while Bosco is now 30-0 in the season.

“He had good command of his pitches, he wasn’t falling behind and he wanted to finish the game so we gave it to him,” said Don Bosco head coach Greg Butler, speaking of Spezial. “I want to tell you something, he is strong as an ox. He didn’t show any signs of needing to be taken out so we stuck with him.”

Meanwhile, Ramapo starter Chris Martin put together a solid outing through the first four innings. Facing a lineup that is relentless from top to bottom (Bosco’s No. 9 hitter Sam Cerbo batted leadoff for the Ironmen during their past two county tournament championship runs), Martin (4+ IP, 6 R, 4 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 0 K) kept his team hanging around.

The Ironmen put up two unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and then put together the knock out punch in the fifth. Brett Knief and Eric Pfisterer each smacked two-run singles to put Bosco up 8-1 and close out the scoring.

“We gave them too many outs in that fourth inning. We were in there at 2-1 and then they score on a pass ball and an error and you can’t do that against that team,” said Ramapo assistant coach Joe Spafford. “They kept the pressure on, they kept stealing and getting men in scoring position and they did an excellent job in doing that.”

Sam Cerbo had two hits out of the No. 9 hole for Don Bosco Prep.

Ramapo saw its season come to an end with a 20-11 record, but after an 0-3 start, the Raiders rebounded to reach the semifinals of the North 1, Group 3 state sectional tournament and the Bergen County tournaments.

Bosco is still alive, in fact it is the overwhelming favorite to win, both the non-Public North A and county championships and the fact that his team is now 30-0 has not, according to Butler, added any extra pressure, even if three more wins would mean a county and outright state championship and also the distinction of being the first ever Bergen County team to go through a season undefeated.

At this point, it is win or go home for every team.

“All we are looking to do is go 3-0 now. Whether we were 23-5 or 24-4, all we are trying to do right now is go 3-0 and make it that simple,” said Butler. “It’s tournament time and there is nobody that wants to go home, so everyone has that fire in the eye.”

Brendan Lobban pitched St. Joseph past Old Tappan and into the county final.

St. Joseph 11, Old Tappan 1 (5 innings)
The first team with a chance to spoil Don Bosco’s fun is its rival St. Joseph, which routed Old Tappan in a mercy rule shortened 11-1 win in Saturday’s second semifinal. St. Joe’s scored six runs in the first inning and cruised behind ace Brendan Lobban, who allowed just three hits and struck out nine.

Win or lose, Sunday will be St. Joseph’s final game of the season after being eliminated from the state tournament earlier this week. Old Tappan which won the baseball program’s second ever state sectional title on Friday against Montville, will play in the Group 3 state semifinal at Elizabeth High School.

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