The North Arlington baseball team used to know that when it was raining out their home game would be called off. But a couple of years ago, Rip Collins Field got a makeover and synthetic turf was put in place and games were played even if a little rain fell.

One of the goals for many high school baseball and softball teams is playing a state play-off game at home. And that was finally the case for North Arlington, who received a high enough seeding to get a state tournament postseason game at Rip Collins Field.

And North Arlington, who got a fifth seed in the Group 1 North 2 state section, did not disappoint their home fans, defeating Dayton 9-6 in the first-round, state play-off game.

Not only was it the first state play-off game at home on the new turf, but also it was the first state play-off win for the program in 17 years.

Unfortunately, the Vikings went on the road and fell to fourth-seeded Brearley in the state sectional quarterfinals and ended their season.

Despite the state play-off loss, North Arlington finished north of .500 for the 2016 season, with an overall record of 15-12, 9-7 in the tough NJIC Meadowlands Division. The 15 victories were the most wins for a Vikings baseball program in a quarter of a century.

"I feel that a lot of our preseason goals were reached," said North Arlington head coach Paul Marcantuono. "Winning 15 games, finishing in top half of our league, having the first play-off game at Rip Collins field and winning a play-off game were all accomplished."

In this historic season for Vikings baseball, there was no doubt that the seniors-Brian Costello, Christian Castro, Tim Ford, Chris Giaquinto, Joel DaSilva and Manny Mora-led the way. Costello and Castro garnered All NJIC Meadowlands first team honors, while Ford, DaSilva and Giaquinto collected Meadowlands second team honors, and Mora was placed on the Meadowlands honorable mention list.

Costello on the mound and Castro at the plate were the stalwarts for the 2016 North Arlington squad. Costello was almost unbeatable on the mound, with a 5-1 mark and a 2.50 ERA. The North Arlington head coach recalls when the senior hurler outdueled Ryan Kaverick of Hasbrouck Heights, another All Meadowlands first team pitcher, taking the game 3-1.

"Brian pitched with a plan," said Marcantuono. "He pitched all the big games for us and rarely came up short. I think a signature win for him was out dueling Kaverick from Heights and winning that game 3-1. That was a great win for our program. Kaverick is a great pitcher, (Hasbrouck Heights') Rocco (Minnichiello) is a great coach and not many teams can say they beat them with him on the bump."

Castro batted .390 for the season, with 31 hits, 20 RBI and three homers. He had a big day in the home, state play-off win over Dayton, belting a solo home run and two RBI. "I feel that Castro hit the ball very well this year," said the North Arlington head coach. "He hits the ball hard and is an intimidating presence at the plate. He had some big hits for us, especially the homerun to put us on the board versus Dayton in NJSIAA playoffs."

Along with Costello, Ford made a great 1-2 combination on the mound. Ford went 5-2 with a 2.25 ERA, including picking up the victory against Dayton in the state playoffs. "Tim Ford won a huge game for us versus Dayton in the playoffs and often pitched phenomenally throughout the season and played a great centerfield," said Marcantuono.

Instrumental in helping Costello and Ford on the mound was Giaquinto, behind the plate, who also contributed with a .320 batting average, 23 RBI and a pair of homeruns. "Chris Giaquinto had a ton of huge hits for us this year," said Marcantuono. "He came up big in plenty of situations."

DaSilva was truly versatile from the field to the mound and smacked four home runs and five triples. DaSilva was an RBI machine, recording 31 to go along with eight stolen bases and a .350 batting average. "Joel DaSilva is a three-time, all-league player who is very versatile in the field, on the mound, and his bat will be sorely missed," said Marcantuono.

Mora was a threat on the bases with a dozen steals and a .300 batting average. "Manny Mora was a solid shortstop and lead hitter for us," said Marcantuono. "He set the table for the lineup and was very reliable at the shortstop position."

The North Arlington baseball program is already in motion to find some players to fill in the holes of the graduated seniors. North Arlington has a team in the Bergen County 16-18 Baseball League that is basically Senior Babe Ruth. Marcantuono feels that any baseball played in the summer or fall can only help next spring.

"I think any time extra baseball can be played, like Babe Ruth, (American) Legion. Fall ball is beneficial to the town, the program and our players progress," said Marcantuono. "I hope the Babe Ruth League will continue beyond this year. It's a great thing for our town and high school program."

 

Source : northjersey.com

Report Abuse