Paramus center fielder Stephanie Huang stepped into the batter's box against Ridgewood's Nicole Hroncich, who pitched a no-hitter last Saturday against Glen Rock.
The junior swung at the first pitch she saw and sent it sailing over the fence in right for a solo home run.
"I think it set the tone," said Huang, who was greeted at home plate by her energetic teammates. "I think it gave us more energy, really got us into the game."
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She picked up three more hits--a single and two triples--and scored four times as Paramus exacted revenge on Ridgewood, eliminating the Maroons from the Bergen County Tournament with a 9-1 win at Immaculate Heart Academy.
Pitcher Tori Feorenzo (16-2) went the distance, scattering five hits while striking out three.
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"We played to win," the staff ace said.
Last season, Ridgewood (14-5) sent the Spartans packing in the quarterfinals of the tournament, and Paramus (22-2) wouldn't let that happen again.
“I think the kids have been waiting for this,” said ninth-year Paramus head coach Brian Hay. “I think they were focused last year. We felt like we had something taken from us."
"They've always been our rivals," said Paramus first baseman Victoria Vergona. "We all just came out to play. We were so excited to be here."
The Lafayette-bound Vergona went 3-for-4 with four RBI. She hit a triple and two doubles on the afternoon and came around to score twice.
“Both of those kids [Huang and Vergona] have been coming up clutch for us all year long,” Hay said. “Not that we expect it every game, but Stephanie was in the zone today, Victoria was in the zone today. Everybody was in the zone today.
“Tori pitched a great game, and I think once again we have a goal in mind [winning the Bergen County Tournament],” Hay added. “And we want to reach that goal.”
The Spartans scored three runs in the third, four runs in the next inning, and tacked on two more in the sixth.
Ridgewood scored its lone run in the top of the sixth inning on an RBI single by Teresa Funk (1-for-3).
Shayna Brock went 1-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and three runs scored. The Paramus second baseman drove home Stephanie Huang in the sixth after the centerfielder hit her second triple of the game.
In a regular-season matchup between the neighboring towns, Paramus defeated Ridgewood 9-0 on April 16. The loss dropped Ridgewood to 2-4. The Maroons then proceeded to run off 12 straight victories coming into Saturday’s game.
