The Record from Hackensack, New Jersey • 63

Scholastic Sports JUNE 1975 C-7 Scarlet gamble fails in 1-0 teartbreaker "We have had success with that play before," Gsell said of the double play. "Against another club it might have worked. It was a gamble that didn't work. "THEY NEEDED A GOOD throw from the catcher to second and then a good throw to him, and they got them," Gsell added. "If you're going to wait for the hits in high school ball, you're going to be sorry.

And if you watch for the coach to tell you to go home, you lose a step." Ridgefield Park, the defending State champions, got another stellar pitch ing performance from Matt McArow, but wasted it McArow, who suffered his first high-school loss after 20 wins, gave up five hits, three in Highland's scoring inning. The Scarlets' right bander struck out 13, including Jeff Marieski (son of former major-league pitcher Ray Narleski) four times. See SCARLETS, Page C42 si) uf Staff Photos by Peter Karas Kennedy killed by its def ense thrown out at home on the same play. The Scarlets lost to Highland, 1-4, in the Group 3 State title game. Ridgefield Park's best scoring threat died dez (top photo) and Dan Teel bottom when Joe Fernan pnoto) were DOM By JOHN ROWE Staff Writer WEST WINDSOR All season long, the Ridgefield Park High School baseball team has gambled on the base-paths.

The Scarlets weren't about to change their ways in the State finals. But like many a riverboat gambler before them, Ridgefield Park rolled the dice one too many times. Some unsuccessful base running had as much to do with the Scarlets' 1-0 loss to Highland Regional yesterday as the one-hitter Bob Gale threw against them. Dan Teel's fourth-inning double was the only Ridgefield Park hit in the Group 3 championship game of the New Jersey Interscholastic A.A. tournament.

However, it could have been enough. JOE FERNANDEZ WALKED with one out in the fourth, and Teel followed with his double to left-center. Rich Tucker was the next hitter, and with a 1-1 count, Ridgefield Park put on the suicide squeeze. But Tucker batted the ball foul. "That was a crucial play," said Don Gsell, the Scarlets' coach.

Tucker then hit a grounder to Highland second baseman Chuck Boehmer. Fernandez broke for the plate, but was an easy out. Tucker sped around first base and then slowed down trying to draw a throw so Teel could race home. Steve Marsden, the Highland catcher, gunned the ball to shortstop Frank Schmidt, who was standing in front of second base. Schmidt didn't go for Tucker's rundown plan and immediately threw back to Marsden, who absorbed a collision with Teel to complete the double play.

The Scarlets didn't have another runner after that, and Highland, a regional school from Blackwood, made a second-inning run stand -X MjzkF (ifl -srssss -rrfr" 1 A A V'lamii'ni '1, ylaiad Nothing fake about RizsVs victory of the good seasoa "I only had the one good throw, but luckily it was enough." THE TOP NON-WINNING performance by a Bergen County athlete came from Mark Saner of St. Joseph Regional. Maintaining the consistency he has shown in recent weeks, the burly senior took second in the shot put with a 62-4 toss, two inches off his personal best but well behind Mattia's 65-foot winner. Rich Rothschild of Paramus chased Snyder's Ernie Baker most of the way, then faded to fourth in the 880 with a 1:55.8 clocking. Baker led from beginning to end in winning in 1:54.2.

Paramus Catholic was the only Bergen team to have two runners place. Lou Mastro was third in the 330 intermediates in 38.6 and Brian Hart clocked 14.4 for a fourth in the 120 highs. Ridgewood's Parke Muth had a 38.8 for fourth in the intermediates. Demarest's Craig Venskus ran third in the mile in 4:21.2. Bogota's John Bahnsen clocked 4:24.5 in winning the unseeded section and Glen Rock's Joe Avenoso had a 4:28.1 in the same race.

Joe Hurley of Don Bosco had a personal best 49.5 to finish fifth in the 440. "In a 100 with this kind of competition, you'e not going to win unless you get out of the blocks. I got the kind of start I needed." Rizzi barely hung on to edge Kevin Halloway of Palmyra and Pat Blair of Franklin, both of whom were also timed in 9.8. It was Rizzi's seventh major-meet victory of the year and kept him undefeated in the 100 for the last two years. "I missed the States last year because of a mix-up with the athletic director, so I really wanted to prove myself this year," said the Crusader speedster who ran 9.7 in winning the Group 2 title last week.

"I guess this is the best way to end a really great year." While Rizzi's victory was somewhat unexpected, Fort Lee's Scott Hersh win in the discus was expected. His throw of 178 feet, 1 inch was almost 11 feet ahead of Union's Bob Mattia. Bruce Heide of Springfield, expected to be Hersh's toughest competition, settled for third at 165-3, and Saddle Brook's Randy' Stalter hit a personal best of 161-5 for fifth. "I kind of expected to win, but I was surprised by nobody else throwing 170 and Mattia beating Heide," said Hersh after his eighth major-meet win By RON DROGO Staff Writer NEW BRUNSWICK-A false start almost cost John Rizzi a spot in the final of the 100-yard dash at -yesterday's New. Jersey State Interscholastic A.

A. Meet of Champions. But it was more false starts in the final that aided the Elmwood Park senior in win-nine the State title. Rizzi jumped the gun once In his trial heat and, rather than risk a second false start and disqualification, sat in the blocks when the race went off. As a result, he barely gained a qualifying spot by finishing second in his heat There were three false starts, none Involving Ru-ri, before the final finally got off cleanly.

When the race did go, Rizzi had a flying start and sped to a record-tying 9.8.victory. THE FALSE STARTS can upset your timing," he said. "After jumped once in the heat, I was a little afraid to get out of the blocks. But after three other guys false started in the final, I knew they'd be sitting back a little and I took a chance on timing the gun. WEST WINDSOR Paterson Kennedy has lost many baseball games in its history, but none as frustrating as the one yesterday.

The Knights were one out from becoming state champions, but an error opened the gates for a Rancocas Valley rally. Rancocas Valley took advantage of the break to score two runs in the seventh and one more in the ninth for a 6-5 victory in the Group 4 title game in the New Jersey Interscholastic A.A. tournament. "The bubble burst just at the wrong time," said Kennedy coach Edgar Cartotto. "We didn't make three plays we should make in our sleep.

This is the worst day of my life." Kennedy's bench was prepared to run out on the field when George Bar-ger hit a slow roller to second baseman Ed Torrez. But Torrez booted the ball, and the Knights' nightmare began. STEVE PAPP FOLLOWED with a double over leftfielder Elijah Bonaparte's head, Barger scoring. Mike Thibeault then hit a hard grounder which Kennedy third baseman Julio Burgos dove for. The ball deflected off Burgos's glove and went into center-field as pinchrunner Bill Smith scored the tying run.

Barger came to bat with one out in the ninth and once again hit a groun-. der, and again Torrez made an error. Papp sacrificed him to second. Tom Cameron then hit a checked-swing fly into right on a 3-2 count, and Kennedy's Dennis Warring missed a shoestring catch. Kennedy then could only think about what might have been.

"We should beat this team Rancocas Valley nine times out of 10," said Cartotto. "But we just had sloppy fielding. We let them get back into the game too many times. I feel sorry for my pitchers." SAUL MELENDEZ started for Kennedy and was treated to a quick 2-0 lead. Bonaparte tripled to begin the game and continued home when the relay was mishandled.

Ron Fortino followed with a homer over the left-field fence. eJ'. if Melendez retired nine straight bat ters before walking Steve Wilson to 'start the fourth. Charlie Adams singled, and Vince Lullio singled in two runs. Hector Ortiz relieved Melendez and gave up a sacrifice fly, giving Rancocas Valley a 3-2 edge.

Kennedy went ahead again in the fifth when a walk to Ortiz and singles by Fortino and Burgos produced one run and a walk to Tom Tierno got the 1 second. A double by Torrez and three straight walks upped Kennedy's lead to 5-3 in the fifth, ORTIZ PICKED a runner off first to end a Rancocas Valley threat in the sixth and appeared home free when he retired the first two hitters in the sev- enth. Even the most ardent fan in the Rancocas Valley cheering section; (which included football star Franco Harris, whose brother was the Ranco-; cas Valley shortstop) was dismayed. Then the errors came. i "Let's go home with nothing," a de-'jected Cartotto told his team as they sat on the bench disbelieving what haji happened.

Glen Ridge, which beat Wallington in the state semifinals, defeated Man-ville, 3-2, for the Group 1 championship. New Providence, which downed Lyndhurst in the semifinals, lost to Audubon, 34, in the Group 2 title game. JOHN ROWE RweocM Val. 'V. 4 12 0 nH 4 019 2000 itoo ah roi wtison.zD a 1 ill 0 Bonaorte.lf Adams, 4 Lullio.cf 3 Harrises 4 3 ronino.ss Buroos.3b 4 0 0 0 iierno.c fix SwoVtSon.lb Kintzngr3tp 4 0 0 OWarring.rl Papp, ft SmithrP 3 0 11 iMotosso.p 1 0 0 0 OrtiieP 0100 iwiengeM Thibult.lb 9 0 1 Ctnwrof)3b 1011 1 1 1 ToUIS 32 4 I 4 Total W0 071 000 300 Rancocas Torre Wilson, Imoeratore.

JB Torrez, Papp. 3B Bonaparte 2. Adams. HR Fortino. SB Bonaparte 2.

PITCHING IP ER SO Melendez (I, M) 4 3 14 OriU J-2J 4 0 I Molosso 4-VJ 0 4 12 3 H-i 1 1 I i I kintiing (w, 2-1) 2 0011 lttW'joWOjjfll i it jj Sttff Pnoto third base. Babli was left straided, bat Highland won the Stat UtlB fame, 1-1. Runs 2:17.7 half in Champs' meet Latham sets State ecord NEW BRUNSWICK Kandie Latham wasn't exactly happy when Ridgewood girls' track coach Jock Brown asked her to run a half-mile leg on a two-mile relay team last season. She preferred to stick with the 440. But Latham is very happy today to be a half-miler because yesterday she proved herself the best in New Jersey.

The Ridgewood senior set a State record of 2:17.7 in upsetting Saddle Brook's Terry Vaccarella and Gateway's Ursula Eder in the New Jersey State Interscholastic A.A. Meet of Champions. "I'm a little surprised, but not really shocked," said Brown. "Her one half last year was a 2:21 and that's why I decided she should be strictly a half-miler this year. I thought she was capable of something like this, but she hadn't shown it all seasoa She sure picked the right day for it" Latham joined teammate Becky Deetz and Park Ridge's Karen Smith as the Bergen winners.

Deetz, the State record-holding soph, won the high jump as expected at 5-6. Smith, who needed an appeal to be accepted into the meet, threw the discus 119-10. Latham came from behind after Lawrence's Beatrice Harendza set the early pace and Eder led for a while. Vaccarella made a late bid, but finished fourth in 2:20.2, SM IH-1. Karl Hunter.

Newark Tech, Jf.O (Record, old record 4 by Joe An- cona, manwan. wmj; 2, oarv woore Overbrook. 38.2; 3. Lou Mastro, Para- Park Muth. gidoewood.

3S.fc Gary Gorman, Kanooipn, je m. loa-l. John Riul, Elmwood Park. (Ties meet record by Van Butler, Trenton, 1971; John Chambers, Neptune. 1573; Jeff Thornton, Woodbury, 174); 7, Kevin Halloway, Palmyra, 9.e; 3, Pat Blair.

Franklin. 9.6, 4. Mike Siletto, Ocean, 9.9; S. Kevin Hampton, Pauls-boro, 10.0. MILE 1.

Steve O'Cormell, MIIIDurn. 1, Mike Siostak. Colonla. 3, Craia Venskus. DemaresL 4 John bnright, Morristown, Ivan Softer St Joseph's (Metuchen), Scott Hersh.

Port Lee, T7 feet, 1 inch; 2, -Bob Mattia, Union, 1W-4; 3, Bruce Heide. Springfield. 145-3. 4, Ken Manahan. Deptford, 1M-7; Randy Stalter, Saddle Brook, 161 S.

440-1 Kan Hunter, Newark Tech, 48 2, Mike Peniston, Neptune, 49.1; 3. Jim Jeffress. Trenton, 49J; 4, Paul Reillv, Morris Knolls. 49.3; S. Joe Hurley, Don Bosco, 49.5.

tat 1. Ernie Baker, Snyder, 1:54 2, Larry Brown. Willlngboro, 1:55.5. 3, Tony Uzdavines. Wiiliamstown, 4.

Rich Rothschild. Paramus. Jim Somers. Columbia, 1:5 3. JAVELIN 1, Mike Coffey, Morrestown, S9 feet.

4 Inches; 2, Lance Sorchik, Igh Point. 202-0; Jeff Ogilvie, Highland 193-3; 4, Tom Painchard. Savreville, 191-9; 5. Harold Campbell. Morris Hills.

106-10. 020 HH 1, Keith Curtis. Camden. 14 2, Gary Moore. Overbrook, 14.3; 3.

Bruce Freeman, Shabau, 14.4; 4, Brian Hart. Paramus Catholic, 14.4; 5, Bob Walsh, Breerlev 14.7. POLE VAULT 1, Bill Hartley. Southern 14 feet, 0 inches; 2, Mike Biuaro, Onion, 144; 3, Bruce Wodder, North Hunterdon, 14-0: 4. Steve Clausen.

Ran dolph. 14-0; i. Ed Patterson, HolmdeL T. Kpvin lUhMM. Palmvra.

91 9. Pat Blair. Franklin. 21.6: 3. Mike Silet to, Ocean 21.9; 4, Steve Coleman.

Haddon Heights. 21.9; 5. Darryl Richardson, East Orange, 22.4. tONGJOMP Bob Calhoun. Scotch i Plains.

22 feet 6 inches; 2, Ed Wash-; tngton, Camden, 21-10; 3, Frank Brown Overbrook, 21-914: 4. Greg Filipek. Tri- ton. 21-7; 5, Craig Nielsen, Bergen- I MILE I. Marty LuoMrtkowskl.

Cherry Hill West 2, Bob Amitreni, Cranford. 3. Ed Biakely. Haddon 4, Chuck Ferrell. Merunouan, 5.

Chris Hallinan. Bernards, 9:24.3. MIGH JUMP 1. Roscoe Johnson, Plain-field. 6 feet 0 Inches; 2.

Ed Sioslak. Toms River South, 6-6: 3. Rocky Harrison. Woodbury. 6-6: 4, John Oemby.

Morris Hills, -6; 5, Derek Mtddle- brook. West Esse. 4-6. SMOTPUT 1, Bob Mattia. Onion.

05 feet; 2. Mark Saner, St. Joseph U4; Ray Mattia, Union, 61-11; 4, Bruce Hede, Springfield. 60-3; 5. Jim Casson.

Paul VI, 59-0. MILE DELAY 1. Neptune (Rich Bowles. Mark Gray, Dan Blue, Mike Peniston). 27 Long Branch.

3, Bur-IlnSon Two- 4. Camoen. -5. Nuuev. J.24.S.

TEAM SCORES Unto 17, Camden 12, Newark Tech 12. Qverbrook 1J, Palmyra 10. Neptune 10, Franklin 7, Fort Lee 6, Elmwood Park 6. MMtoorn 6. Cherry Hill West 6.

Southern Reg. 6. Snyder 6. Scotch Plains 6. Plain-field 6.

Morrestown 6, Springfield 5. Par. mus Catholic 5. Ocean Two. $, Lang 2 ranch 4.

Cownia 4. SI. Joseoh Reg. 4. ranfard 4, South River 4, Wiliingborg 4.

Hgh Point Randolph 1 Oenwest 3. Trenton 3. Morris Knolls 3. Moms Hilis i. Haddon Two.

3. North Hunterdon 3, Burimg'm Two. Woodbury 3. Williamv town 3, Snabaa 3. Hignland Reg.

1 Deot-' ford 2. Ridgewoed 2. Morristown 2, Ber nerds 2. Hadoon Heights 2. Triton 2.

Paramus 2, Savreville 2, Saddle Brook Pamsoare i. St. Jostsn's Metuchen 1, Don tosc 1, Paul VI 1. Homoel Nn-tiey 1. East Orange 1.

Bergentieui Cat emBUi BrgarMy Res. 1. xell off the mark of 2:18.6 she had set last "I took it easy most of the week to be well rested for the race," Latham said. "I didn't even work out Thursday or Friday. I just wanted to go out in about 67, run relaxed and see if I was close enough to win in the last 220.

1 figured the girl who went out so fast Harendza would fade like she did last week, so I just went after Eder. It worked out pretty well, didn't it?" Smith wasn't sure she could compete until Wednesday. She hadn't qualified in last week's Group meet because she fouled twice and then simply threw for a mark and it wasn't good enough to place in the top five. But the reason she had fouled was the circle used at Holmdel High School was Vk inches too small and coach Diane McDer-raott appealed to Meet of Champions director Mary Jo Blair. "We knew we were right and assumed all along Karen would throw today," said Mo Dermott "But it wasn't official until Wednesday." "I felt I got ripped off of a gold medal last week," Smith said.

"My two foul throws were better than any one else and I knew I was the best It was sort of eating me inside to be deprived like that so I was making the most of today." Smith's throw was two feet better than runner-up Helene Connell of Jackson Township, but less than she had thrown in the State sectionals and in the Bergen County championships. Another Smith, Yvonne of Monmouth Re gional, was easily the top performer of the meet Her incredible performance included a national record 14.2 in the 110 low hurdles, an 13-foot, 1-inch victory in the long jump, and the anchor leg on the Monmouth 100-1, Vomit Colter, Woodbury. 111:7, Lit Young. Manalaoan, 11.3; 3. Haiel Lucas, Montciair, 11.3; 4, Carla Hunt, Holy Cross.

11 i. Lor! Lewis. Wood- i bury. 11.4. MILE 1.

Hillary Noden, Hopewell Val- lev, 2, Joy Kelly, Rumson-Fair Haven. 3, Sandy Alecander, Roxbury, 5:14 4, Kathy Christman, Rencocas Valley, 5, Lori Stan- i ley, Iselin, 5:15.0. 0 1. Claire Gursky, South Plalnfield. Anne McKilloo.

v.i; una num. noiy Lross, 3, 57.6; 4, Penny Fates, Hackettstown, 57.0; 5. Valeria Crenshaw, Wayne Valley, 2 MILE 1, Carol onion. Nut ley, 11:11.0 (State record, old record 11:21.0 by Margaret Poynter, No. Hunterdon, 1975); 2.

Pam Adams. Gateway, 3. Margaret Poynter. No. Hunterdon, 4.

Jane Plunkett, Notre Dame, 5, Valerie Sheets. Roxbury, 12:10.2. SHOT PUT 1, Sharon Redvict. Monmouth, 41 feet; 2, Pam Giorda, Hawthorne, 30-10; 3. Iris Turner, Franklin Township, 30-1; 4, Anne Usinowici, Butler, 30-0; 5.

Rhonda Peterson. Toms River South, 37-11. DISCUS 1, Karen Smith. Park Ridge, 119 feet, 10 inches; 2, Helene Connell, Jackson, 117-10; 3. Rhonda Peterson.

Toms River South, 111-9; 4, Diana Oei-bert. West Morns. 111-4; 5. OtaniM La-zear. Ocean 106-1.

MIGH JUMP 1. Becky Deett, Ridgewood. 5 feet inches; 2. Martha Me-gm. Asbury Park, 5-3; J.

Allison Manchester. Jefferson 5-3; 4, Tie Julie Smithers, Lakewood and Diane Hayles. Toms River South. 5-3. LONG JUMP 1.

Yvonne Smith, Monmouth. 10 feet 1 inch; 2, Lucy Jenkins. Toms River South, 17-0; 3. Deirdr Reillv. Rumson-Fair Haven.

16-11; 4, Cindy Lowen. Highland Park. 16-10V 5. Julie Smithers. Lakewood.

16-9. 2201. Lil Young. Manalapan. 25.0; Hazel Lucas, Montciair, 25.3; 3.

Lorl Lewis. Woodbury. 25 Claire Gursky. South Plaintield. 25.6; 5.

Su Krogstad. No. Hunterdon. 26 0 0O1, Kandie Latham, R'agewowL 2:17.2 (Slate record, old record 2:104 by Terry Vaccarella. Saodle Brook.

19751; 2. Ursula Eder. Gateway, 3. Kathy Woodbridge. Princeton.

4. Terry Vaccarella. Seodl Brook, 2:20 2 5. Perianne Benuney. Holmdel, 2:23.

110 LH 1, Yvonne Smith. Monmouth, 14.2 (State record, old record 14 by Smith, 1975); 2. Julie Smithers. Lake- wood, 14.4; 3. Debbie Oeutsch.

East Brunswick. 14.7; 4, Michelle Aikjood, Red Bank. 15 5. Susan Marshall. Haddonfield.

1S.S. JAVELIN l. Donna Forte. West Moms, 125 feet, inches; 2. JoAnn Helm, Wayne Valley, 122-7; KeruCame- loms kiv liver North, rigg, Walt Two 121-11; 4.

Patricia Hurley, J. P. Stevens, 112-7: 5. Gen Lant Pt. Pleasant Beach.

111-7. 44 RELAY I. Monmouth. (Beyers. ongsby.

Brown, smienj. iiaie record, old record 49J by Manalapan, 19751; 2, Paterson Eaitvde. 49 3. Red Bank. 49 4.

Man ei anon. Skli 5. Hackettstown. 50.4. MILE RELAY 1.

Rumsen-Fen- Haven JOsinski, Klem. Emery. Jones), J. Toms River South, 4 02 4 06.7; 4. Peouawiock, At 5.

Long Branch, 4:010. I i i i i i Nl Karen I I I Smith won the A discus I Ridgefield Park pitcher Matt McArow peera at Uighlaod runner Boo Babli, wba lead o3 440-yard relay team that set a State record of 49A RON DROGO i.