Spring Sports State Playoff Bound

With many successful campaigns waged thus far by Ridgewood High School athletic teams, state tournament games have gotten under way.

After stellar seasons, five spring sports teams are set to host playoff games Monday and Tuesday. Baseball, softball, boy tennis, boys and girls lacrosse teams all earned home matches, at least in first round.

In the case of the girls lacrosse team, which already won its opening round match over North Brunswick Friday, it'll host games regionally as long as it keeps winning. With the number 1 seed, the Maroon girls look to defend their group and state titles. Coming off its 22-1 win last week, Ridgewood takes on No. 8 Montgomery today (which bested Westfield 12-9 Friday).

Led by senior scorer Samantha Cermack and defender Abbey VanHorne, Ridgewood hosts Montgomery at 4:15 p.m. today at Maple Park Field.

Also playing today is the No. 2-seeded boy tennis team. With a first-round bye last week, the boys waited as No. 10 Fair Lawn upset No. 7 Memorial 4-1 May 13. The second round game is 4:15 p.m. today at RHS.

The team looks to replicate its April 28 performance when Ridgewood shutout Fair Lawn 5-0. Chris Hu, Charlie Gundeck, and Griffin Kurzius handily won the singles matches as did doubles partners Eddie Harlin-Stephan Miedel and Sam Keefer-Terence Lam.

Rounding out Monday's play, Ridgewood baseball also hopes to dispatch a Fair Lawn opponent. The No. 3 Maroons take on the No. 14 Crushers at 4:15 p.m. at Veterans Field today.

Although compiling an impressive 17-6 record and a high seeding in group play, the Maroons dropped a close game to Fair Lawn earlier this season 3-2. That day, Ridgewood scored a late run to make it 2-1 heading into the final frame. Fair Lawn pulled it out in the last of the seventh, rallying for two runs and the win.

Tomorrow, boys lacrosse and softball look to open their own state tournament runs.

Despite some tough losses that plagued the boys throughout the year, the lacrosse team earned a No. 6 seed and first-round bye in the playoffs. Tomorrow, Ridgewood faces off with No. 11 West Windsor-Plainsboro South. Last week, West Windsor romped No. 22 Colts Neck to earn a trip to Maple Park Field.

Indicative of their season, the boys played close games and against tough opponents in their last two contests. Ridgewood bested Don Bosco 8-7 May 12 and lost to Ridge 10-9 May 15. Tomorrow's game will be at 4:15 p.m.

Responding to losses hasn't been something Ridgewood softball was forced to do often this year. Coming into this weekend, Patti Auger's girls had lost only three games until dropping the Bergen County Championship to Indian Hills yesterday. 

Led by sophomore pitcher Nichole Hronich and their productive lineup with Alex Scibetta, Lauren Tom and Courtney Pedalino, the Maroons have ripped off 21 wins this year.

Softball will tune up with a trip to Nutley High School today before tomorrow's state playoff opener. The No. 3 Maroons host No. 14 Hackensack at Veterans Field tomorrow at 4 p.m. Ridgewood shut out Hackensack 1-0 earlier this year.