WOOD-RIDGE - The last time the two teams played, New Jersey had an earthquake.
This time, the only thing shaking (hopefully) will be the stands as Ramapo and Immaculate Heart Academy will square off for the 2024 Bergen County softball title Saturday at the Wood-Ridge Athletic Complex at 1 p.m.
IHA handled the Green Raiders 11-1 on April 5, the day of the New Jersey earthquake. Both teams were still figuring things out at that stage of the season.
“They can hit,” said IHA coach Diana Fasano about Ramapo. “They’re well-coached and they have got progressively better during the season.”
“They have the best player in the state behind the dish [IHA catcher Gabby Shadek],” said Ramapo coach Darren White. “They have three kids who can throw well. [Leah] English, I know she is a freshman, but she homered against us and she’s as tough an out in the county as anyone. [Gianna] DiMeglio is awesome. They’re IHA.”
With a win next Saturday, the Blue Eagles can become the third team to win three straight Bergen County titles. No team has ever won four in a row in the 50-year history of the tournament.
Ramapo will be looking to tie Ramsey for second most titles of any school in Bergen County with seven. It’s a rematch of the 2022 Bergen County final won by IHA, 8-0.
Here’s how both teams advanced to the final:
IHA 10, Indian Hills 0 (6 innings)
IHA got the wake-up call in the Bergen quarterfinals. Saturday, they kept the dream alive.
Sparked by six RBI from freshman Leah English and another strong performance by Arianna Barrett in the circle, the top-seeded Blue Eagles raced past Indian Hills in six innings in the first semifinal at the Wood-Ridge Athletic Complex.
The Blue Eagles (24-2) struggled in the quarterfinals before beating Ridgewood. Blue Eagles coach Diana Fasano said it was a big moment for her team.
“Last week it was almost done,” said Fasano. “We're happy just for the opportunity to continue to play and survive and advance and move forward.”
“We knew that that game meant a lot and we knew this game would mean even more,” said IHA senior shortstop Gianna DiMeglio, who went 3-for-4 with two doubles. “As a team, we knew we had to figure it out together and we did today.”
English delivered for the Blue Eagles every time at bat. She had an RBI fielder's choice in the first inning, a two-run single in the third, a two-run single in the fourth, and she ended the game with a walk-off RBI on a fielder's choice.
“It’s been amazing,” said Fasano about the development of the Blue Eagles freshmen. “All of them, they are all great, if you think about our first game in Florida to now. We didn’t know what we were going to have coming in. We graduated four starters, the whole infield is brand new, and the development has been phenomenal. They’ve built experience playing good games.”
Fasano joked that Barrett must really like the WRAC, because she always pitches well there. On Saturday, she held the Braves to three hits and struck out nine. She was the winning pitcher in last year’s county final win over Ramsey.
“You can’t beat experience,” said Fasano. “She loves this field. I don’t know….I think she does. She pitchers great here. She’s a leader. She’s been here before. She has the experience, and it’s a nice thing to see.”
Ramapo 5, Ramsey 2
A freshman battery and a quick start propelled the Green Raiders to the Bergen County final.
Ramapo shortstop LeeAnne Downey homered and tripled as the Green Raiders scored five runs in the first two innings and then held on.
“Huge..huge, huge,” said White about the start. “That’s always been the plan, [have] great leadoff hitters and get them on, I don’t mind being away, get a run first and then everyone relaxes.”
Ramapo freshman Trinity Horn was composed in her biggest start of the season in the circle, holding the Rams to four hits and getting great defense behind her. The Green Raiders also start a freshman behind the plate in Sofia Ciarlo, who contributed an RBI single in the first inning.
“LeeAnn was the MVP today,” said White. “A triple and a home run, and all the plays she made in the field. I’m thrilled for these kids, we weren’t supposed to be here by seed, so we are crashing the party.”
Ramsey brought in freshman pitcher Brooke Donofrio in the third inning and she allowed only one hit the rest of the way. Ramsey scored two runs in the third on a Lucy Sobel groundout and a Ramapo error.
The Green Raiders (23-4) have won 15 games in a row.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Softball: Ramapo and IHA will shake it out in the Bergen County final
