2nd Team All-State
Everett Garber, Dwight-Englewood, Jr., 1B
Season recap: Took the NJIC by storm this season with eight home runs and seven doubles … Batted .483 with a 1.000 slugging percentage alongside nine multi-hit games … Slammed three home runs and nine RBIs in his final three games of the season … Scored 28 runs and drove in 33 … Drew 14 walks … On the mound, struck out 64 batters in 34 innings … Bolstered a 1.85 ERA … Fired a complete-game with no earned runs against Lyndhurst on April 27 backed by a career-high 14 strikeouts.
First Team All-Group 1
OF-Anthony Marco, Waldwick, Sr.
Second Team All-Group 1
P-Devin Arce, Wood-Ridge, Sr.
3B-Gavin DeRobertis, Wood-Ridge, Sr.
OF-Joe Frei, Hawthorne, Sr.
OF-Conner Praschil, Emerson Boro, Sr.
Third Team All-Group 1
P-Gavin Fiant, Hasbrouck Heights, Sr.
1B-Zack Dennis, Midland Park, Sr.
OF-Sebastian Stratton, Weekhawken, Jr.
DH-Sean Bauer, Butler, So.
UTL-Nick Laccitiello, Pompton Lakes, Jr.
Second Team All-Group 2
C-Alex Gomez, Rutherford, Sr.
Third Team All-Group 2
P-Owen Litvany, Glen Rock, Sr.
3B-Van Weber, Rutherford, Sr.
First Team Non-Public
UTL-Tyler Giordano, St. Mary (Ruth.), Sr.
Second Team Non-Public
P-Rhys Bowie, Dwight-Englewood, Jr.
B-Everett Garber, Dwight-Englewood, Jr.
NJIC Player of the Year
Owen Litvany, Glen Rock
The senior left-hander dazzled with an 8-1 record and an 0.71 earned run average across 49 innings. He struck out 73 batters, fanning 10 or more hitters in four different starts. He fired three complete games, including one in the Bergen County Tournament Round of 16 against Westwood. His only loss came against Ramsey in the sectional semifinals, allowing one run in seven innings with 10 strikeouts in a tremendous battle against All-State pitcher Will Kirk. He had one of the toughest curveballs in the conference, leaving hitters flailing into the wind in attempt of contact. Litvany finishes his career with 143 strikeouts in 105.2 innings across three seasons.
Coach of the Year
Nigel Archibald, St. Mary (Ruth.)
In his first season with the Gaels and his first-ever as a head coach, Archibald led this squad to a sectional title in the North Jersey, Non-Public B Tournament. Outscoring its opponents 19-4 in three postseason games, St. Mary returned to the top after buying into Archibald’s style, creating a strong-willed roster that stepped up when it mattered most. St. Mary also won a Bergen County Tournament contest over Dwight-Englewood.
NJIC Team of the Year
St. Mary (Ruth.)
The Gaels had an exceptional lineup en route to a sectional crown. Finishing with a 20-10 record and 10-2 in-division, St. Mary scored 10 or more runs 10 total times. This team batted .321 as a collective with 70 extra-base hits, 108 walks, 42 hit by pitches and 61 stolen bases. This was a relaxed, yet exciting squad with a disciplined approach at the dish. Blayze Conte and Tyler Giordano, one of the conference’s most fearsome duos, led the Gaels. Conte blossomed into a superstar, batting .477 with 34 runs batted in and 17 extra-base hits in his sophomore campaign. Giordano hit .424 with 31 runs scored and 16 stolen bases, and could be relied upon to play any position at a high level. Hits came aplenty from Kyle Watson (28), Jason Rosado (24) and Jacob Herrera (23) as well. None were more important than Rosado’s walk-off single in the North, Non-Public B finals against Rutgers Prep to reel in the trophy. On the mound, Isaac Young struck out 49 hitters while David Anderson had a 2.16 ERA and 35 punch-outs. Xavier Arana spun a 2.24 ERA and Bradley Higgins contributed 2.33 ERA. Joey Chvasta tossed 32.1 frames with a 2.81 earned run average.
Final NJIC team rankings
- 1-St. Mary (Ruth.) (20-10)
- 2-Wood-Ridge (21-9)
- 3-Glen Rock (21-6)
- 4-Rutherford (19-10)
- 5-Pompton Lakes (21-8)
- 6-Emerson Boro (18-10)
- 7-Dwight-Englewood (14-10)
- 8-Hawthorne (12-12)
- 9-Butler (17-7)
- 10-Waldwick (11-15)
PJ Potter covers North Jersey baseball. He can be reached at ppotter@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PJ_Potter
Luis Torres covers North and Central Jersey baseball. He can be reached at ltorres@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ByLuisTorres
