JUNE 5, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MATTHEW BIRCHENOUGH
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
RIDGEWOOD — In the biggest game of the season last Friday, Ridgewood High School pitcher Lisa Higgins needed a few pitches to get her bearings straight.
The Maroons’ star right-hander fell behind Morris Knolls leadoff hitter Marina Castalluzzo, 3-0, before coming back to strike her out to start the North 1, Group 4 final. Higgins struck out the next two batters, and another pitching masterpiece was underway.
Rachel Pizzuti’s fourth-inning RBI double with two outs broke up a scoreless tie, and Higgins pitched her fourth shutout in as many state playoff starts, allowing just three hits and a walk in a complete-game 2-0 victory to clinch the school’s first sectional title since 2009 at Veterans Field.
“We’ve been a team that goes about our business all year round, so for them to really enjoy this moment was so fun to watch,” head coach Patti Auger said.
The celebration had to be quick for five Maroons who would be heading to that evening’s prom, but senior first baseman Kali Wolfer decided to take her time relishing the moment anyway.
“Winning this, my senior year, I don’t even care if I’m late for prom,” said Wolfer, one of the squad’s co-captains. “I’m not going to remember prom in 20 years; I’m going to remember this game. This is the biggest feeling right now.”
Ridgewood’s chase for a State Group 4 title ended Wednesday in a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Bridgewater-Raritan at Mike Sheppard Sr. Field at Ivy Hill Park in Newark. Higgins was outstanding again, allowing just two runs on five hits in taking the hard-luck loss.
Great season ladies!!
Did Mr. Softball, Gary Muzio, leave town in a huff?