Baseball: Here's what happened at Saturday's Bergen and Passaic county tournaments

HACKENSACK – Less than 15 hours after enduring a distasteful Senior Night, Hackensack returned to its home field and enjoyed a big taste of success.

The Comets opened the 65 ^th Bergen County Baseball Tournament with a five-inning victory over Garfield, 22-0, Saturday afternoon at Foschini Park.

“We didn’t let last night linger,” Hackensack coach Frank DiLorenzo said, referring to Friday’s 13-3 loss to Indian Hills. “We just came out and got the job done and that was impressive.”

Junior Christian Pelaez, the leadoff hitter, was impressive at the plate, going 4-for-4, with four runs and three RBIs. He opened the first with a perfect bunt single up the third-base line to jumpstart a nine-run inning for ninth-seeded Hackensack (13-6)

“I say we just have to flush it,” Pelaez said of his mindset after Friday’s loss. “Baseball, it’s a new day, every day, so we came in today saying, ‘Let do what [Indian Hills] did to us yesterday.'”

Senior Alex Bulger was a hit on the mound and at the plate before a line drive smacked the right-hander in the chest and shortened his outing to 2 2/3 innings. He still managed to strike out five, and he also was 2-for-2, with a walk, one run and three RBIs. He departed as a precaution and was fine afterward.

Hackensack advances to Wednesday’s Round of 16 and will play against No. 8 Emerson. The Comets lost at Emerson on April 5, 13-5, after surrendering eights runs in the sixth. That cost them a chance at a top-eight seed and first-round bye.

“We were happy to be a nine seed,” DiLorenzo said. “We thought we had a chance at a bye at the seed meeting. Emerson beat us head-to-head, so we knew them getting the eight and us getting the nine was fair. Now we have another chance on Wednesday to get a second game and rematch with them, so we’re excited about that.”

Bulger, the Comets’ ace, only threw 40 pitches Saturday, so he would be eligible to pitch Wednesday versus Emerson. “I’m ready, ready to go out there to show for my team,” Bulger said, “and get us in a good position to win.”

Elsewhere in the Bergen tournament:

Midland Park squeezes out win

Junior Connor Detrick threw a five-hitter with one earned run, one walk and three strikeouts to pace No. 18 Midland Park to a 2-1 win over No. 15 Ridgefield Park/Bogota. Sophomore Ralph Caprio had two hits and an RBI, and sophomore Braiden Russell had a hit, run and an RBI for the Panthers (13-3). Midland Park, the lowest seed to advance, plays Wednesday against No. 2 Ridgewood.

Streim carries Pascack Hills

Senior Andrew Streim hit a grand slam and threw four scoreless innings in relief to carry No. 12 Pascack Hills to a 6-4 win over No. 21 Paramus. Streim’s grand slam came during a five-run third that provided a 5-4 lead for the Broncos (13-6) and helped extend their winning streak to seven games. Pascack Hills plays Wednesday against No. 5 Glen Rock.

St. Mary rides Lopez

Senior Adam Lopez threw a four-hitter with three walks and eight strikeouts to carry No. 14 St. Mary past No. 19 Fair Lawn, 2-0. Junior Blayze Conte homered for the Gaels (12-4). St. Mary plays Wednesday against No. 3 Westwood.

Old Tappan rallies from 3-run deficit

Junior Rocco Pierorazio was 3 for 4, with one run and two RBIs, as No. 11 Old Tappan defeated No. 22 Leonia, 7-4. Sophomore Anthony Onnembo was 3-for-4, with two RBIs for the Golden Knights, and Rich Gutschmidt earned the win after allowing no earned runs over six innings and striking out seven. Senior Christian Ahn had two hits and an RBI for Leonia (9-10). Old Tappan (12-5) plays Wednesday against No. 6 Indian Hills.

Grosfelt leads Ramapo

Senior Kenton Grosfelt tossed a seven-hit shutout with no walks and seven strikeouts to pace No. 10 Ramapo to a 6-0 win over No. 23 Fort Lee. Senior Brendan McHugh had three hits, two runs and two RBIs for the Green Raiders (11-7). Sophomore Danny Poppe had three hits and an RBI for Ramapo, which plays Wednesday against No. 7 Ramsey.

Deriso guides Pascack Valley

Junior JT Deriso allowed no earned runs over five innings and No. 13 Pascack Valley topped No. 20 Wood-Ridge, 11-1. Deriso allowed two hits, no walks and struck out six. Pascack Valley (12-7) plays Wednesday against No. 4 St. Joseph.

Dwight-Englewood by shutout

Senior Everett Garber threw six shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out 11, and No. 17 Dwight-Englewood beat No. 16 Lyndhurst, 3-0. Senior Rhys Bowie had two hits, including a homer, one run and threw a scoreless inning with two strikeouts for the Bulldogs (10-4-1). Dwight-Englewood plays Wednesday against defending champion and top-seeded Don Bosco.

Passaic County quarterfinals

Amalbert a blast for DePaul

Sophomore Jason Amalbert had two homers and five RBIs to power top-seeded DePaul to a 9-1 victory over defending champion and No. 8 Passaic Tech. Amalbert was 3-for-4, with three runs. Junior Shane Patten had two RBIs for the Spartans (11-6). DePaul hosts Lakeland in next Saturday’s semifinals.

Lakeland outduels Passaic Valley

Senior Matt Nicholson allowed one earned run in six innings and No. 4 Lakeland defeated No. 5 Passaic Valley, 3-1. Nicholson allowed three hits, three walks, hit a batter, and struck out nine for the Lancers. Senior Tyler Lynn had a single, walk and two RBIs for Lakeland (12-5). Junior Jack Delaney allowed no earned runs and struck out nine in 5 1/3 innings for Passaic Valley (10-7).

Pompton Lakes win streak hits 11

Junior Vin Stigliano pitched and hit No. 3 Pompton Lakes to its 11 ^th consecutive victory, 5-1, over No. 6 Passaic. Stigliano allowed three hits and one earned run over five innings and had a single and RBI to pace the Cardinals (15-2). Senior Tyler Benway had two hits and two runs, and Pompton Lakes hosts Wayne Valley in next Saturday’s semifinals.

Wayne Valley rallies past Wayne Hills

Sophomore Michael Kamper doubled in two runs during a four-run fifth and No. 7 Wayne Valley rallied past No. 2 Wayne Hills, 4-3. Freshman Nick Erminio earned the win after allowing two earned runs in six innings, with five hits, five walks and five strikeouts. Senior Cam Virari threw a scoreless inning in relief with two strikeouts for Wayne Valley (10-7). Senior Gavin DeNardo had two hits and two RBIs for Wayne Hills (12-5).

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Baseball: Here's what happened at Saturday's Bergen and Passaic county tournaments