The Verona High School baseball team had a romp in its opening game, defeating Newark’s Science Park High School 12-2.
It was the first Wednesday in many months that there was no snow or ice on Doc Goeltz field, though there was a rebuilt pitching mound with senior Mike Coppola on it and giving up very little ground: He threw four strikeouts in five innings.
In a team dominated by seniors, there was strength in just about every Hillbilly turn at the bat. First baseman Luke Weiss had two runs and two RBIs in three times up, while Matt Rubins was 1-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs. Mike Cifaretto was 3-for-3 and Tommy DeNicola had three runs and a RBI. Paul Scully pounded out a double.
The was also plenty of deft fielding and base running, with both Rubins and Weiss getting steals. The boys take on MKA at home today at 4 p.m.
In other VHS sports, the softball team got in the win column with a 2-1 victory over Sussex Tech at home. Caroline Chivily slammed a triple for RBI, while Olivia Feiger’s batting got Ellen DiDia home. Pitcher Paig Ferrell went the game, striking out five Sussex Tech batters and limiting them to just four hits. The softball team travels to Glen Ridge today for a 4 p.m. game.
The girls lacrosse team went to Oakland Wednesday and came back with a 13-10 win over Indian Hills High School. Jackie Brozyna was the high scorer with five goals for Verona, while seniors Lauren Ednie and Lizzy Scandiffio collectively pitched in another five. Emilia Frizzi, Cole McConnachie and Gabi Mottola had a goal apiece. The girls are home tomorrow at Centennial against Scotch Plans-Fanwood.
WMBC had this report on the softball game:
