Sports
One Team Eliminated, Another Advances
The Union Catholic Senior American Legion baseball team was knocked out of the state tournament Tuesday. But the school's junior team remains.
One summer season came to an end for Union Catholic Vikings Baseball this week, but another will continue this weekend.
Union Catholic High School's Senior American Legion team played its final game Tuesday, falling to Waldwick 14-12 in District 1 play at Overpeck Park in Ridgefield Park. It was the team's second and final loss in the double-elimination state tournament.
In its first three district games, the Vikings lost to Wharton Post 91 by a score of 16-5 Saturday, eliminated Caldwell 9-2 Sunday and then eliminated Nutley 14-11 Monday. It finished with 16 wins and six losses overall.
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The Junior American Legion squad, however, qualified for the junior state tournament that starts this weekend. It will compete in and host District 3, which takes place Saturday through Wednesday.
The junior Vikings fashioned a seven-win, nine-loss record during the regular season, earning the ninth seed for the county playoffs. In the first round, last Wednesday, the team defeated eighth-seeded Westfield 7-1. In the quarterfinals Saturday, it knocked-out top-seeded Watchung Hills 5-1. But in the semifinals Sunday, it fell to 12th-seeded Elizabeth, which eventually won the playoffs.
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The top three finishers, however, advance to the state tournament. On Saturday at 4:30, the Vikings will play their first game in District 3 at Union Catholic. They are guaranteed of playing again Sunday, win or lose.
The Vikings roster includes center fielder Christian Mora, left-handed batter and second baseman Oscar Mujica, left-handed batter and left fielder Eric Anderson, pitcher-first baseman Evan Dickerson, third baseman Michael Reis, right fielder Ian Donahue, pitcher Jimmy Weyand, catcher Brian Cantillo, shortstop Ryan Coughlan and reserves Zach Ghizzone and Thomas Sagendorf. The team is coached by John Becht and Rob McCoid.
The other three double-elimination district sites are District 1 at Gardiner Field in Denville, District 2 at Memorial Field in Linden and District 4 at Community Park in North Brunswick.
Two teams advance out of each district for the eight-team state finals, which will be contested at Linden's Memorial Field from July 31 through Aug. 4.
The other Union County League teams that advanced to district competition are Berkeley Heights in District 1, Elizabeth and Roselle in District 2 and Watchung Hills in District 3.
The overall state champion will head to New Hampshire for the Mid-Atlantic Region 1 competition that is scheduled to commence Aug. 7.
