The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 6

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER SOUTH ERS IGH 0 0 South Jersey C13 Riverside rallies behind arms, defense to win crown Known for offense, the Rams had enough to defeat JVhippany Park for their first state Group 1 title. were working the fastball, curve-ball and slider. Even my change-up was going for strikes." The Rams, averaging 8.5 runs per game this year and 9.3 in the playoffs before yesterday, were struggling at the plate and trailing, 2-1, entering the home fifth. But Shaun Fenimore led off with a walk and advanced to second when loser Carl Colello botched Phillip Stokes' sacrifice bunt. Both runners moved up on a balk and Tom Dad-dino's single scored Fenimore to tie the game, 2-2.

Jason Coates walked to load the bases and Stokes scored the go-ahead run on an error by shortstop Dan Ballasone. Colello worked out of the inning, but the damage was done. "I knew la rally would come," said McGovern, who walked three and struck out three. "We always start out losing, but our team knows how to come back." Riverside made its mark this year with come-from-behind victories. In the state semifinals, the Rams scored six runs in the sixth inning to defeat Rumson, 10-9.

"Actually, it makes us concentrate more when we're behind," said Davidson, who fanned two and threw a 4-6-3 double play to end the game. "We tend to become too aggressive when we're winning or tied. When we're behind, we are patient and swing at only good pitches." Riverside added an insurance tally in the sixth when Daddino singled in Stokes, who had singled and stolen second with two outs. Whippany Park (21-8) had taken a 1-0 lead in' the first inning when Mike Merilees singled and later scored on a wild pitch. The Rams tied it in the second as Mike Avery doubled in Shawn Otto, who led off with a single.

Whippany Park regained the lead in the third on an RBI double by Greg Rodebush. Daddino had no doubts that McGovern was ready for the challenge. "He did a heck of a job," Daddino said. "He walked in the first, but his slider was working from the start and soon the fastball and his other erside scratched out two runs in the fifth inning as the Rams (18-5) won their first state baseball title. McGovern (5-2) yielded just one earned run and three hits in 5 innings.

Davidson, who entered the game with a runner on second and two outs in the sixth, hurled IV scoreless innings for the save. "It's just an unbelievable feeling," McGovern said. "All my pitches pitches were working, too." Whippany Park Riverside 101 000 0 2 4 010 021 4 7 WP: Joe McGovern. LP: Carl Colello. 2B: R-Mike Avery.

W-Greg Rodebush. Sunday, June 9, 1996 By Chris Goldberg FOR THE INQUIRER TOMS RIVER, N.J. All season the Riverside baseball team depended mostly on its powerful offense. But yesterday, two Rams pitchers led Riverside past Whippany Park, 4-2, in the NJSIAA Group 1 state championship game. Joe McGovern and Tim Davidson teamed up for a four-hitter and Riv- Audubon H' i i- Rams win 8th baseball crown Despite the death of the coach's brother, Gloucester Catholic routed Pope John XXIII.

garners baseball (state title 3 fi T-3f rA Vs. Audubon players swamp Dan Severino after he became the first pitcher to win three NJSIAA championship games. The senior lefthander hurled the Green Wave past Newton, 8-3, yesterday. Severino allowed seven hits and struck out 12 in seven innings of work. Camden Catholic stumbles in title game I to keep them guessing and to stay ahead of the hitters," Quintana said.

"What really helped was that I got the leadoff batter out in each of the first six innings, and that took a lot of pressure off our defense." Dclbarton jumped on starter Bob Diepold for four first-inning runs. The big blows were a two-run double by designated hitter C. J. Lank-tree and an RBI single by Quintana. The Green Wave scored two more in the third and chased Diepold after just 2'3 innings.

Delbarton scored on a bases-loaded walk and an error. Yeager relieved Diepold and allowed two runs in 3 innings. The only runs against Yeager came on a fifth-inning home run by John Dar-den, the No. 8 hitter in the lineup. Camden Catholic, which entered the seventh trailing, 8-0, hadn't been shut out all season and kept that streak intact.

Pinch-hitter Rob Bcaler singled and. went to second on Welch's dou The Irish were stumped by the Parochial A final. They I5y Marc Narducci INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT TOMS RIVER, N.J. Camden Catholic's baseball- team picked an inopportune time to suffer a rare offensive slump. The Irish went, scoreless for the first six innings during yesterday's 8-3 loss to Del-barton in the state Parochial A final at Toms River East.

It was the first state title for Del-barton, which finished the season with a 254 record. Entering the game averaging 11.9 runs, Camden Catholic couldn't find a solution for Dclbarton righthander Jason Quintana, who allowed five hits while striking out eight and walking two. Camden Catholic (16-7), which hit 29 home runs this season, managed just two extra base hits, doubles by catcher Andrew Schmidt and Chuck This year, the Green Wave won the Group 2 crown, after two straight Group 1 titles. By Sam Carchidi INQUIRER STAFF WRITER EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. After he struck out the game's final hitter, yesterday, Audubon senior lefthander Dan Severino made a mad dash toward home plate and jumped into the arms of catcher Josh Lax: ton.

Severino has had practice making the leap. Audubon captured its third straight state baseball title yesterday. And Severino, for the third straight year, pitched a complete game and was the winning pitcher. This time, it was an 8-3 win over Newton in the NJSIAA Group 2 final before nearly 1,000 sweltering fans at Middlesex Tech's jewel of a ballpark. Severino had pitched shutouts in the 1994 and 1995 state finals Au-.

dubon was in Group 1 in those seasons. Yesterday, he settled for a seven-hitter with 12 strikeouts and no walks. Severino, who has signed a letter of intent to attend Monmouth, became the first pitcher to win three titles since the state tournament began in 1971. Audubon joined Cherry Hill West (1989-92), Gloucester Catholic (1984-86) and St. Anthony of Jersey City (1971-73) as the only schools to win three straight titles.

"My nerves were flying all over the place before the game," Severino said. "I just wanted to get out there, and I didn't think they'd ever stop hosing the field down. It seemed like it took forever to get started." Once it started, Audubon took command quickly. The Green Wave used two walks, Mark Dexter's double, John O'Brien's RBI force-out and Keith Johnson's two-run single to take a 3-0 lead against righthander Chris Owen in the top of the first inning. Johnson, one of four sophomores in the starting lineup, delivered his key two-out single two pitches after a smash down the left-field line was ruled a foul.

Audubon coach Rich Horan argued, without success. After Newton (22-3) used a two-out bunt single to get to within 3-1 in the fourth, Audubon (21-4-1) regained control by scoring three runs in the fifth one on a passed ball, one on Laxton's double and one on O'Brien's double. A double steal set up the scoring. O'Brien had two hits and two RBIs, and Dexter, a sophomore, scored three runs. Leading by 6-1, senior shortstop Vaughn Schill, who was selected in the ninth round of this week's amateur draft by the Florida Marlins, slammed a two-run, 315-foot homer to right with two outs in the sixth.

Schill also had a bunt single, and the hardest ball he hit was turned into a 380-foot out, thanks to a spectacular catch by centerfielder Don Nelson in the second inning. Audubon, which needs to defeat visiting Sterling tomorrow to clinch the Colonial Conference title outright, ended the Braves' 14-game winning streak. Severino finished with a flourish. He struck out the last four batters. "All three titles are special for different reasons," Severino said.

Said Schill: "The first one was sweet, but I think this one is the best because this is our senior year and this is the best way to go out." Audubon 300 032 08 9 0 Hewton 000 102 0 3 7 0 WP: Dan Severino (6-1). LP: Chris Owen (10-3) 2B: A-Mark Dexter, Josh Laxton, John O'Brien' N-Chris Sullivan. 3B: N-George Wallis HR A-Vayghn Schill (51 'X Delbarton's pitcher in ended losing by 8-3. Welch. Credit Quintana for the long afternoon.

The righthander had good movement on his fastball, and the Irish also had trouble hitting his curve ball and changeup. At least Camden Catholic wasn't the only team to have trouble with Quintana. He finished the season 10-1, with a 0.79 ERA and 109 strikeouts. "He was definitely the best pitcher we've faced," said junior Scott Yeager, who played third base and pitched yesterday in relief. "He kept us off balance all day.

We lever knew what was coming." Quintana, who will play next season at Princeton, was well aware of Camden Catholic's offensive reputation. "I knew they had hit 29 home runs coming into the game and I wanted get the game over. It was tense in extra innings, but we just had to stay relaxed and keep our heads in the game like we did against Carteret." The Eagles took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Piatt walked and came around to score on an error and wild pitch for the first run. Leighanne Richman had a two run single, and Keegan added an RBI single.

Johnson (23-3) cut the lead to 4-3 in the fourth inning on a three-run home run by Laura Zambuto off winning pitcher Jen Lang (22-6). The Crusaders tied the game with an unearned run in the fifth inning. Johnson took a 54 lead on Lisa Mueller's ground ball RBI in the ninth after singles by Erica Klisso and Zambuto. West Deptford came back to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. Summer Conaway reached on an error leading off the inning, and Lang followed with a single.

Michelle Bil-bow sacrificed both runners up a base, and Conaway scored on a wild pitch. "Pitching that 14-inning game last week really helped me," said Lang, a sophomore, who struck out 12 and allowed six hits. "We were in the same kind of situation in the semifinals, and that helped all of us stay calm." A.L. Johnson West Deptford 000 310 001 0 5 6 4 040 000 001 1 6 6 1 WP: Jen Lang. LP: Karen Kolmos.

HR: J-Laura Zambuto. i By Marc Narducci INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT -TOMS RIVER, N.J. Under the most difficult of circumstances, Gloucester Catholic's baseball team played like a true champion. A day after the sudden death of his brother, John, coach Dennis Barth guided Gloucester Catholic to yestef day's 9-1 win over Pope John XXIII in the NJSIAA state Parochial championship game at Toms River East. John Barth, 43, of Mount Laurel, died Friday suddenly of a heart attack, There was a moment of silence before the game.

Yesterday the entire Barth family, which consisted of Dennis' parents brothers, Bob and Joe and Joanne, attended the game. is better to have the family here than sitting at home and thinking about it," Dennis Barth said. f'We all stayed together here and I Uiink my brother would have wanted us here." Barth admitted that it was difficult to concentrate, but praised the effort of his players. was worried that they would be so upset that they wouldn't have their minds on the game, but they really came through," he said. "They showed what kind of character they had." i 'It was a record eighth baseball state title for Gloucester Catholic (29-2-1), which lost to Immaculata, 9-2, in last year's state championship, The Rams, ranked No.

1 in South Jersey by The Inquirer, ended the season by winning 18 consecutive games and never lost to a team from New Jersey. John XXIII finished 15-10. Gloucester Catholic broke a scoreless tie with six runs in the third, using a combination of speed and power. With one out, Mike Dickson started the rally with a bunt single. Bill Lamb was then hit by a pitch and Bob Dacierno laid down a beautiful bunt that died in the grass for a base hit that loaded the bases.

That brought up junior catcher Brian Ward, a three-year starter who is frequently pitched around. With the bases loaded, righthander Brad Gulliatt had no choice but to throw Ward strikes. Ward had two feeble swings in fouling off the first two pitches, then drilled a fastball that barely cleared the left-field fence for a grand slam. "I was getting way out in front of the ball the first two times up," Ward said. "I had to relax.

My goal was to'put it in play." Jim Schwarz's RBI double and Casey Fahy's RBI single accounted for the other two runs. The Rams also received a solid effort from winning pitcher Pat Sperone (8-0) as fthe sophomore righthander allowed "jtist two hits in six innings before giving way to David Marks, who pitched a scoreless seventh. "I didn't think it was my best effort," said Sperone. "I wasn't throwing my curveball well, but my fast- ball got me through today." The Rams scored three in the fifth inning on a two-run single by Brett Thorp and an RBI single by Jamie All but one starter got a hit. the one who didn't was Joe i Eliasen, who entered the game with 99 career hits.

Eliasen reached base "on an error and was hit by pitches his final two times at bat. "This win is a tribute to how hard Vour guys work," Barth said. "I fcouldn't be prouder." Clou. Catholic John XXIII 006 030 09 14 1 000100 01 2 1 "WP: Pal Sperone (8-0). LP: Brad Gilliatt (6-4).

-'2B: G-Jim Schwarz, Kevin Kelly. HR: G-Brian vWard, Dolack. I W. Deptford captures first state sof tball title Klawiter's one-hitter leads Cherokee to title J. For The Inquirer JERRY TRITT ble.

Bealer scored on an error and Welch scored on a groundout. Freshman Ron Hepkin knocked in the third run on a groundout. "Those guys showed character in that last inning," said Catholic coach Bob Moffett. "They didn't give up. We just got our hits too late, but their starting pitcher did a super job.

He deserves a lot of credit." While the Irish were disappointed to lose, Welch, one of eight seniors, kept things in perspective. "This has been a great season," he said. "We had a lot of fun. We went farther than a lot of people thought. We knew we were a good team and even though we lost, we know how hard it is to get here and we're glad we had the chance to play in a state final." Delbarton Camden Catholic 402 0200 8 9 5 000 000 3 3 5 1 WP: Jay Quintana (10-1) LP: Bob Diepold (6-4).

2B: CC-Andrew Schmidt. D-CJ. Lanktree, Tom Moran. HR: D-John Darden. big contributions yesterday.

Green had a two-run home run and Alcott had two RBIs and scored two runs. Gibson had two hits and one RBI and scored one run. The Chiefs scored three runs on two hits in the top of the first inning and never looked back. "Getting those three runs in the first inning was the key for us," Medrick said. "WTe came out very aggressive.

I felt comfortable after that inning with Debbie pitching, but we still realized we might have to play seven more innings. We were winning one game this season, 7-1, and we lost." Klawiter, who pitched the Chiefs to the state title as a sophomore, said this win was her most satisfying. "I've had some big wins, but this was the best because it's my senior year, my final game, and we went out in style," she said. Cherokee had 11 hits off of Zar-rilli, who gave up five runs on four hits in the sixth inning. Green's two-run home run to left-center capped off the five-run outburst.

"We certainly didn't play our best game of the year, but Cherokee was super," said Montclair coach Tony Cedola. "I guess you could say Klawiter was the best pitcher we faced this season." Cheroke Montclair 300 215 11 11 1 000 000 0 1 3 WP: Debbie Klawiter. LP: Christine Zarrilli. 2B: S-Missy Alcott. 3B: S-Kellie Maul.

HR: S-Steph-anie Green. 0. The team had fallen behind in the 9th inning. But in the 10th, rival A.L. Johnson succumbed.

By Joey Culltean INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT TOMS RIVER, N.J. The West Deptford Softball team learned the meaning of patience last Tuesday when it defeated Central Jersey champion Carteret in a state semifinal game that went 14 innings. That experience paid off for coach Jill Schectz's team yesterday at Toms River North when it edged A.L. Johnson, 6-5, in 10 innings, to win the school's first state Group 2 title. West Deptford (24-6) lost all of a 4-0 lead and then fell behind, 5-4, in the top of the ninth, but the Colonial Conference team tied the game in the bottom of the ninth, then scored the deciding run in its next at-bat.

Jen Keegan started the winning rally with a one-out walk and moved to second on a single by Kelly Mali-noski. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch, and then Keegan raced home on Jackie Piatt's ground ball to first base. South Jersey teams have now won three of the last four Group 2 state titles. Delran won last year and Pennsville won in 1993. "I was really scared this game might go 14 innings just like the Carteret game," said Keegan, a senior third baseman.

"I just wanted to By Joey Culligan INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT TOMS RIVER, N.J. Cherokee pitcher Debbie Klawiter rarely needs more than one run to assure her team a victory. Yesterday, the Chiefs gave the hard-throwing senior many more than that routing Montclair, 11-0, in the state Group 4 championship game at Toms River North. The game was ended after the sixth inning because of the 10-run rule. Klawiter ended her magnificent career with a one-hitter allowing only an infield hit as Cherokee, which was champion in 1994, won its sixth overall state title.

Klawiter struck out seven and allowed just three Montclair bascrunners, including two who reached on errors. The two-time all-South Jersey pick by The Inquirer raised her season record to 21-2 and her career postseason record to 14-1. Cherokee, coached by Mike Me-drick, closed out its season with a 27-2 record. Montclair, the North Jersey champion, fell to 21-7. "I certainly didn't anticipate a six-inning game," Medrick said.

"We had heard their pitcher IChristine Zarrillil was good, and Ihey had won their last two tournament games by a shutout. "I'm just especially happy for our four seniors Klawiter, Missy Al-cott, Michelle Gibson and Stephanie Green. This was their last game, and they all have something to remember." All four Cherokee seniors made.