The Record from Hackensack, New Jersey • 47

TUESDAY. JUNE 9, 1998 THE RECORD S-9 HI JERSEY CALL THE RECORD'S LOCAL we! ri A jii (201) 523-4SOO IIXT. G110 i. TEENS: Take a look at http:www.teenvoice.com THE SOFTBALL REPORT Guisdhi Stairs TTTj- "-rM By JOE CHESSARI Staff Writer CLIFTON It has become the event that officially closes the North Jersey high school softball season. The best seniors from Bergen County meeting the best from Passaic County.

The faces change but the spirit of the night remains the same. So, as it happened eight times before, Don Ricker, father of former Wood-Ridge and Seton Hall softball player Donna Ricker, presented a Bergen County senior player with the award named after his daughter, who died of cancer in 1990. The recipient was Rutherford's Melinda Colon, who can put the $500 award toward her tuition at Union College. "This is the only game I've played without all my Rutherford teammates, but it's neat to see all the girls you've played against or read about," Colon said before Monday night's nine-inning game at Clifton Stadium. "It's a great way to end my career.

It's nice to get a final chance to represent Rutherford and play for my great coach." Colon, who starred in center field and even caught a few games late in the season when No. 1 catcher Brianne Powers was injured, gave coach John Arlotta much of the credit for her success. She painted a verbal picture of a girl who four years ago couldn't walk and chew gum at the same time. "I would chop down with my swings. I couldn't really throw well or run the bases well," said Colon, who served as student body president for two years and will graduate next week sixth in her class academically.

"I've improved a lot in three or four years. I owe Coach a lot. He's done a lot for me." The Passaic County scholarship award, named after former Lakeland and Army pitcher Darlene Dondero who died in 1994, was given to DePaul second baseman Jamie Pallas, who is headed to the University of Pennsylvania in late August. Like Colon, Pallas combined solid athletics with prowess in the classroom and community service. Outfielder Kara Michalski also represented DePaul on Monday night.

Catcher Chris Ventimiglia along with pitcher Dana Dad-durno represented Wayne Hills for the last time before she enrolls at Penn State. Ventimiglia always will remember her last two seasons with the Patriots, and credits coach Maryanne Goodwin for breathing life into the softball program. "Maryanne's coming to Wayne Hills in 1997 was the biggest thing I'll remember," Ventimiglia said. "She's in the process of turning the program around, and I know she can. She gives the younger players hope for the future." Ventimiglia, who will play for the North Jersey Shilohs 18-and-under team this summer, was proud to wear the Wayne Hills colors the last few years, even though few people took notice.

"Coming from Wayne Hills, a school more known for soccer and basketball, it means a lot playing in a game like this," she said. "Maybe, in some way, Dana and I playing can give the program a little more exposure. I really think Hills is an up-and-coming program." Starting pitchers Monday were All-State right-hander Laura Tynio of Clifton and Lauren Dickinson of St. Mary's, who guided their teams to State titles Saturday. St.

Mary's coaches Frank Venezia and Jim MacDonald spent much of the pregame accepting kudos from other coaches, players, and even umpires. THOMAS E. FRANKLINSTAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Bergen All-Stars first baseman Cheryl Macri stretching on Passaic's Tamara Tinajero's groundout. "7 -i 1 7 Id SBF1ML V- 1 Belles welcome challenge 1 6-and-under team takes on older clubs Fair Lawn's Lauren Boggis, in her third season with the Morris County Belles, is looking forward to perhaps the biggest challenge of her summer-ball career. Boggis plays second base for the Belles' 16-and-un-der team, which usually plays other 16-and-under teams.

But this weekend, Boggis and her teammates are headed to Edison for the National Softball Association 18U College Coaches Classic. "We're very excited about this opportunity," said Boggis, who recently completed her sophomore year with the Cutters. "This will give us a chance to see how we stack up with some of the better 18-and-under teams in the area. When we're playing well, I think we can play with any of the older teams. So far, we're having a great season." 1.

St. Mary's (31-2) The Gaels fell short In 1997 but won the Parochial State crown Saturday with a 3-2, eight-Inning victory over St. Joseph (Hammonton). Lauren Dickinson and Carrie DeMarco graduated Sunday as State champions, and leave a strong nucleus of players from the best team in Bergen County. (Points: 25) 2.

Mahwah (26-8) Molly Harrington pitched the Thunder-birds into the Group 2 State final but couldn't get by Klngsway and sophomore right-hander Wendi Miller, it was the best season in program history. (Points: 20) 3. Rutherford (24-4) The BCSL American champions will be favored to win their third straight divisional crown next season, led by pitcher Christina Sanzo, shortstop Samantha Drummond, and first baseman-pitcher Katie Lord. (Points: 14) 4. Ramsey (20-10) Mahwah turned out to be a thorn in Ramsey's side.

The Rams lost three times to the T-Blrds, the final loss coming In the Group 2 playoffs. Kerri Ross will be back to pitch in her senior year. (Points: 8) 5. Saddle Brook (20-9) Cedar Grove stopped the Falcons from earning their first trip to a State final. Despite the defeat to the Panthers, Saddle Brook has good reason to be proud.

Mary Brunetti and Mary Byrne are among next year's returning stars. (Points: 7) Also receiving votes: Emerson (22-2) 1. yj 13 UrreeltWalllilkg! im. The Belles are 12-4 after a 5-1 showing at the 48-team Jersey Outlaws tournament in West Dept-ford. The Belles were eliminated in the quarterfinals by the Explosion of Binghamton, N.Y., 3-1.

Boggis, who began with the Belles' 14U team in 1996, had six hits and seven steals, and Hanover Park pitcher Donna Welner was 3-0, allowing only two earned JOE CHESSARI SOFTBALL 1. Paramus (24-4) The Spartans fell short In the Bergen and Group 4 tournaments but salvaged the season by securing the NNJIL Pacific title. Mlchele Walker, Ann-Marie Macchlone, and Christine Menaslan will return for Paramus in the spring. (Points: 25) 2. River Dell (19-6) Marlssa Caputo, Karen Smith, and Allison Halpln will guide the Golden Hawks In the spring.

It should be interesting to see how the 1997 Bergen champions respond to riding the arm of a different pitcher after four years of Lindsay Davis. (Points: 18) 3. Indian Hills (20-10) The Braves should challenge Ramsey for the NBIL Division 2 title next season, led by pitcher Amy Lelcht, center fielder Tammy Lascar, second baseman Janice Xiques, and catcher Abby Alexander. (Points: 16) 4. Immaculate Heart Academy (23-6) The Blue Eagles had a fifth Parochial A State title in their hands but Bishop Eustace snatched It away with two runs In the sixth to secure 4-3 victory.

IHA will be looking for Its 10th straight State final appearance in 1999. (Points: 13) 6. Ramapo (18-6) The Raiders, who stumbled through the last two weeks of the season, ended the spring with a victory over Northern Highlands. They'll be looking to defend their NBIL Division 1 title next year. (Points: 3) (: I JOHN MUNSONSPECIAL TO THE RECORD CLUTCH HIT: St.

Mary's Lauren Dickinson (30) after homering against St. Joseph In the seventh Inning rt IhA DafAtklnl Caa i vi iiioroiuuimi oiaio mampiuiisiiip yame over ine weeKena. oi. iwary iriumpnea, o-z, in me eigntn, her summer softball activities. Instead of nlnv- who batted .696 with a State-record 73 steals with i runs.

The team also features Krlstyn DePasquale and Colleen Miller, freshmen who helped Jefferson win the Group 3, Section 2 title. "There's less pressure on us to do well this weekend, since we're a 16-and-under team," Boggis said. "But we have a lot of talent on the team, and we're excited about this challenge." The Belles will face the Hamilton Heat, Orangctown Cardinals, and OTB Lady Comets in Pool D. The Rockland Stix are grouped with Shore Magic, the Edison Angels, and the Jersey Vixens. The Newark Pride are pooled with Midas Touch, the Hamilton Hurricanes, and Indian Mills Mystics.

And the Skylanders of northern Passaic County are in a group with the Sparta Diamonds, the Long Island Chargers, and the Warren County Raccoons. The Belles' 18U team, with Morris Hills High stars Lisa Stewart, Kim Jackson, and Christy Vuono, and the Newark Pride 1GU team will be In the Clark Wildcats' Kickoff Classic at Warinnnco Park In Elizabeth. The Jersey Xploslon and the Clifton Cobras will be in West Deptford for the Jersey Outlaws 18U tournament. The Clifton Charmers' 12U team Blready has qualified for a national tournament. They finished second at the recent Jersey Shore Classic In Lincroft, losing the title game to Shore Magic.

The Charmers will play at the PONY Nationals July 28-Aug. 2 In Sterling, Va. Kim Veenstra, who will be graduating from Eastern Christian next week, is cutting back on 1. Clifton (31-0) Whet more can be said? The Mustangs secured their second straight Group 4 State tills with an 8-0 rout of Cherokee, and will take a 63-game winning streak Into the 1999 season. It's boen great run for seniors Lsura Tynio, Kim Anzaldl, snd Tamers Tlnalero.

(Points: 25) 1 West Milford (21-6) A rebuilding year for cosch Jim Dranifield turned out to a championship yesr. The Highlanders shared the NHC Skyline tills with Mount St. Dominic. Look for Corlnne Reiser, Erin Schulti. snd Re-chael Timinsky to be back next season.

(Points: 18) 3. Paiialo Valley (22-8) Despite the 8-3 loss to Clesrvlew In the Group 3 final, the Hornets should be set for another couple of seasons. PV loses one itsrter to gradu-stlon, snd will be bsck with Lisa Caruso, Jsnlne Jskubss. snd Ksthleen Berihoid (PoinUi in ing a full-blown season of 60-70 games, the AI1-Passaic shortstop will play in only two or three weekend tournaments with the Lincroft-based Jersey Beachgirls. Veenstra, who will attend Princeton in the fall, will join the Beachgirls at the Pacers Super 12 invitational in Montvale June 26-28, and for a tournament In South Carolina In July.

Veenstra had been the starting shortstop for the Jersey Explosion the last few summers. River Dell third baseman Ranae Bart will be attending the University of Maryland-Baltimore County this fall, and play for Michelle Novel-Ing, who starred at Trenton State, now the College of New Jersey. Neveling, who ployed for the Women's ProfoHsionol Fastpltch league for two years, bIbo is actively recruiting Warwick's Candac Winder, who will be a senior In September. Montclair-Kimberloy Academy freshman Lauren Stefanlk, who had one of the most Impressive rookie years on record, will split her summer-ball time with West Milford and the Jersey Breakers. The Berkeley Heights resident, MKA, will pitch with West Milford during the week, and play center field on the weekend tournament beat with the Breakers' 18U team.

With all the attention paid this season to high school teams such as Clifton and St. Mary's, there was life on the other side of the spectrum. Fort Lee didn't win a game, but first-year coach Leslie Korkgy, a former All-Bergen pitcher at Leonla, said the 1998 season wasn't about wins and losses. "I know some people laughed at us, but I was proud of my kids this season," Korkgy said. "Basically, we were outmotched in Just about every game.

We couldn't hang with many teams as far as talent. But my kids tried hard, and after a few weeks, we were brcoklng up no-hitters and spoiling shutouts for other teams. Sure, we didn't win any games, but I had a great time watching those kids try and stay with it." Stophanle Occhlplntl and Veronica Pavllskl will be graduating this month, but Brooke So-pelsa, Krlsten Smith, Crystal Sands, Dana Pip-pat, and Samantha Wlelkoci should return next season. 4. OtPsul (23-4) Look for Val Mugile, Michelle Moen, and kiun Monin 10 wan a core of returning players who could challenge for the Psissic snd NHC Suburbsn titles.

(Points: 101 I. Pompton Lakes (21-4) The Cardinals snloyed success 1.1a -l mi- v.u. dui incy snouia experience more next season with seven starters reluming. Including pitcher Katie Outgley, outfielders Jeiiics Hamwey snd Dsnleii Dougherty, and third baseman Christy Hulme, (Polnlei 6) JOHN MUNICH ICSCIAL TO Tm S6COKO.