Sunday, May 18, 2008

By Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer

Lauren LaCass had an RBI single and cut down a runner at the plate and played a major role in Saddle Brook's 1-0 upset of top-seeded Ridgewood in the Bergen County Tournament semifinals.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – As the Saddle Brook players walked off the field in a 1-0 loss to Ridgewood during the EDSAF Tournament last month, head coach Darren White knew that things would have to be different if the two teams crossed paths in the Bergen County Tournament. The offense that failed his starting pitcher Kim Prevedel that day and managed just three hits against Ridgewood starter Ali Vagianos would need to give her some run support the second time around.

That opportunity came on Saturday when the Falcons met top-seeded Ridgewood and their ace, Vagianos, in the Bergen County Tournament semifinals.

Once again, the Falcons got just three hits off Vagianos, but that was enough this time thanks to a great pitching performance from Prevedel, and a great all-around performance from teammate Lauren LaCass. The junior is diminutive in stature but big in ability as she laced an RBI single in the first and cut down the tying trying to score in the fourth as Saddle Brook, the No. 4 seed, reached its first-ever county final with a 3-1 win over the top-seeded Maroons at Immaculate Heart Academy.

Ridgewood starter Ali Vagianos allowed just three hits and only one earned run.

“This is amazing, all this hard work is paying off,” said Prevedel. “We beat the top seed and we’re playing in our first county final ever, that really means a lot to us.”

Saddle Brook’s Stephanie Gilronan started off the game with a single and came around to score on LaCass’ two-out, two-strike single to right, putting the Falcons in front. With runners on the corners, LaCass stole second and the cutoff throw was dropped. Christina Esposito broke for the plate and scored to make it 2-0.

“Getting those two runs really helped me out and it helped me relax,” said Prevedel. “It let me breathe a little more and I wasn’t scared to make a mistake. I faced this team earlier in the year, so I had an idea of what to do. I knew that if I kept the ball down and let my defense make the plays, we would be ok.”

Ridgewood struggled offensively before getting all three of its hits in the top of the fourth. Theresa Kirchner’s bomb to dead center field missed going over the fence by mere inches. But it did score Alex Scibetta to trim the Falcons’ lead in half. With two outs, Mary Callghan lined a single to center that LaCass fielded cleanly. She fired a one-hop strike to the plate and Lauren Gramegna was there to slap on the tag, which ended the inning and kept Saddle Brook in front, 2-1.

Kim Prevedel retired the final nine hitters she faced to secure Saddle Brook's spot in the final.

“We’ve worked on it every day in practice, so I was ready for the situation,” said LaCass. “I just wanted to make a good throw and keep it low to give my catcher a chance to make the play.”

Saddle Brook tacked on an insurance run in the seventh. Lori Hickey’s looped behind the pitcher’s mound dropped in to keep the inning going. Kaitlyn LaCass’ groundball was then thrown away and Jillian Lombardi, a pinch runner for Hickey, came all the way around to score for a two-run cushion. Prevedel did not need the run though, as the senior retired the final nine Ridgewood batters.

“We didn’t put the ball in play and we didn’t play good enough defense to win the game today,” said Ridgewood head coach Patti Auger. “It’s obviously disappointing to get knocked out of any tournament. But it is still an honor to be considered among the top four teams in the county. Saddle Brook played a better game today than we did and they deserve to move on.”

Alex Schibetta sliding home with Ridgewood's lone run.

Prevedel tossed a three-hitter with no walks and seven Ks for Saddle Brook. Her counterpart, Vagianos, also only allowed three hits. The senior also walked four and had five Ks.

The Falcons will make their first-ever appearance in the Bergen County final today at 2:00 against second-seeded Ramapo, a 1-0 winner over IHA in nine innings.

“I’m just so proud of how our kids stepped up and played a great game today,” said Saddle Brook head coach Darren White. “It was very important to get off to a good start. It got Ridgewood on their heels a little bit and gave us a lot of confidence. I knew we weren’t going to score a lot against (Vagianos); we just had to capitalize on the few opportunities we had. Kim Prevedel pitched magnificent and Lauren LaCass came up with two huge plays that were the difference in the game. This is an exciting win, but now we have to look ahead to playing in a county final tomorrow. I don’t know how I’m going to sleep tonight.”

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