UPDATED: Splitting Games, Baseball Team Looks Ahead to State Tourney

Coming off one of the biggest wins in program history — a defeat of St. Mary’s to move on to the quarterfinals of the Bergen County Tournament — Glen Rock went on the attack against Ramsey.

But things weren’t so pretty for the Panthers. Matt Lawsky wasn’t quite his normal self and gave up 7 runs on 9 hits in the game.

Though the team’s magical run in the county tournament is over, it now allows them to focus on the State North I Group II Tournament, where they received the No. 1 seed.

On Monday, the team started their quest towards a state sectional title in dominating fashion, crushing New Milford 9-0.

Earlier in the year, Glen Rock dropped a close game to New Milford, so they knew that their first round opponent would be no pushover.

Behind the solid pitching of junior Rob Costello, who threw a complete game shutout with 7 strikeouts on the day.

“I just go out there and try to execute my pitches and you saw my fielders do an incredible job, we only had one error today,” said Costello. “The atmosphere was a little bit different but at the end of the day you just have to go out there and pitch.”

“The first game I had some mistakes pitching but at the end of the day our bats woke up today,” added the junior. “When it’s a playoff atmosphere everyone’s up a little more and my fielders and hitters did a great job and I tried to make my pitches and that happened today. 

After the tough county loss, the team needed to refocus and get back to basics.  With Costello pitching so well, it now gives Coach Joe Sutera two solid options on the mound between him and Matt Lawsky.

“We put everything on the table with Rob, it's easy to say we’re going to throw Matty [Lawsky] every single game, but we have other pitchers on this team and he’s got the capability to do what he did today.  He had command and he was down in the zone and when he does that he’s as tough as anybody.”

Glen Rock used a balanced attack at the plate, as seven players tallied at least one hit. Dylan McGowan was 1-3 with 2 RBI to lead the way and Paul Goldman, Tyler Blind and Dillon White all doubled.  Frankie Scandale was 3 for 4 out of the 9 spot, giving the Panthers solid contribution through their lineup.

“We took advantage of a lot of mistakes, they [New Milford] had a lot of passed balls and we were aggressive on the base paths," Sutera said. “The bottom of our order had some key hits today and we just got back to doing what we do well, which is hitting 1 through 9.”

Next up for Glen Rock is a quarterfinal matchup with Mahwah at home on Friday at 4 p.m.  The Panthers know that despite being the No. 1 seed in North I Group II that no game will be easy, and Mahwah will be a tough out.

Last week, in the county tournament, the Thunderbirds lost a 9-3 game to Don Bosco, but the game was much closer than the score indicated.

The Panthers take on Rutherford at home at 4 p.m. today in a league game that is being made up due to rain.

Softball

The softball team received the No. 5 seed in North I Group II and will take on Hawthorne on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

In the loaded bracket, Glen Rock would next face Pompton Lakes, a team who the Lady Panthers narrowly lost to earlier on in the year.

The bracket features such teams as Morris County champion Pequannock, Ramsey and River Dell. 

UPDATE: On Tuesday the girls beat Hawthorne 12 - 1.

Boys Lacrosse

Sticking with the theme of opening round state games, the Boys Lacrosse team will travel out to Caldwell High School.

Glen Rock is the No. 11 seed in the Group I tournament and received an initial round bye.

Caldwell comes in as the No. 6 seed and as an unfamiliar opponent — the Panthers should be poised to make a run at a big upset and perhaps set up a matchup with perennial power Glen Ridge.

UPDATE: The team took at 8-11 loss to Caldwell on Tuesday.

Girls Lacrosse

Though the girls state run ended with a close loss to DePaul, the Lady Panthers weren’t done yet.

Last Thursday, the girls took on Kinnelon in a game that was rescheduled from opening day, and it was one for the ages.

Glen Rock outlasted the Lady Colts in 2 overtimes, winning 20-19 in a thrilling game.

The team rallied back from a five-goal deficit to force overtime and then the two teams battled until Maggie Egan scored the winning goal in the second overtime period.

It was a momentous day for Kelsey Yenco, who finished with 12 points (9 goals and 3 assists) to tie the school record for points in a game. Yenco also holds the school record for assists in a game, when she tallied 7 helpers against Mahwah last year.

UPDATE: The Lady Panthers finished up their season with a 14-11 loss Tuesday night against Indian Hills.

Boys Tennis

Though the boys tennis season is over, the team should be nothing but proud for their season.

The team went into the North I Group II State Tournament looking to make some noise and that’s exactly what they did.

After the team knocked off Elmwood Park at home, the No. 6 seed Panthers traveled all the way out to Sussex County to take on No. 3 seed Newton.

The team responded with a huge win, as they emerged with a 4-1 upset win.

Though the team lost in the semifinals to Mountain Lakes, they were able to finish their season strong and anytime you travel for a state game and come out with a win, it is a huge accomplishment.