Valley's Season Ends in State Tournament Loss
5/24/05: Wayne Valley's (16-9) season ended with a Section I, Group III loss to Morris Hills, 2-1. Ninth-seeded Morris Hills pushed across the unearned, winning run in the top of the eighth. Jason Doniloski and James Setumba of Morris Hills (18-10) singled with one out in the eighth. Doniloski scored as Joe DiScalas grounder was thrown away for an error.
Tom O'Connor singled home Steve Libert in the fourth to give Wayne Valley a 1-0 lead. Luke Mirabella tied the score in the fifth with an RBI single. Chris McGlynn held Wayne Valley (16-9) to five hits, striking out eight and walking one.
5/19/05: Jim Engels pitched a six-hitter with seven strikeouts as fifth-seeded Lakeland beat fourth-seeded Wayne Valley in the quarterfinals of the Passaic County Tournament, 8-1. Steve Grattagliano led Lakeland (17-6-1) with a triple, two singles, three RBI and two runs, Jim Haberstroh had two singles, two RBI and scored a run. Eric Santagato hit a home run. John Kruse hit two singles and scored a run for Wayne Valley (16-8). Steve Libert knocked in Valley's lone run.
5/13/05, Wayne Valley 7, Eastern Christian 2: Jason Dulhagen, Mark Muzer and Tom O'Connor knocked in two runs apiece as fourth-seeded Wayne Valley (15-7) beat Eastern Christian (6-11) in the first round of the Passaic County Tournament, 7-2. Kevin Orloski picked up the win. Ben Kuiken and Dan Wesdyk each singled in a run for 13th-seeded Eastern Christian.
5/12/05, Lakeland 12, Wayne Valley 8: Tory Marino smacked a three-run home run and Kevin Orlofski belted a two-run double but it was not enough as Wayne Wayne Valley (14-7) lost to Lakeland (14-6-1), 12-8. John Kruse, Steve Libert and Mark Kane also knocked in runs. Jim Haberstroh came through with a home run, double, two singles and delivered four runs and Dave Heerse drove in three for Lakeland.
Valley Ready For Post Season Tournament
By Skiffo Drake
5/9/05: Emphasizing the old coaching cliche of taking it, "one game at a time," has become common place in the world of sports. No one, it seems, ever admits to looking ahead.
Wayne Valley’s Jeff Hoover is one of the few coaches who actually admitted to looking in the future. In 2002, Hoover was coaching Wayne Valley’s amazingly talented freshmen baseball team. That’s when Hoover began to look ahead.
“I told them that they had a chance to have a very good varsity team,” Hoover said.
“If they continued to work hard and if they continued to dedicate themselves, there was no reason that they shouldn’t have success on the varsity level.”
In 2004, it had appeared that Hoover was way off. Valley’s varsity stammered to a 7-16 record. In 2005, that group had one more chance to prove Hoover correct.
What Hoover didn’t know in 2002 was that he would be the varsity coach in 2005. After eight years with the freshmen (1997-to-2004), Hoover was promoted to varsity coach.
With many kids from the 2002 freshmen team on board, the Hoover-led Indians are in the process of a complete-makeover. The 14-6 Valley team has a legitimate chance to win the conference, the county and the state tournament.
“I knew in my heart that they would turn things around this year,” added assistant coach Ray Looney. “Things just didn’t click last year. It’s a talented group. They have tremendous resolve.”
The Northern Hills Skyline Division is between Wayne Valley and West Milford. Valley wins outright if they beat Lakeland Wednesday. It would mark the schools sixth ever conference title (1969, 1973, 1974, 1994, 2002).
Wayne Valley continued their remarkable turnaround season with a gigantic 9-6 win over front-running West Milford last week. The victory gives the Indians a shot at the conference. The Highlanders also happen to hold the No. 1 seed in the upcoming county tournament. Valley, the No.4 seed, hosts Eastern Christian in the county tournament tomorrow.
Jason Dulhagen and Mark Muzer drove in two runs each as Wayne Valley defeated West Milford, 9-6. Dulhagen went 3-for-4 from the plate. Muzer doubled twice.
Two days later, Wayne Valley (14-5) destroyed Madison, 12-2. Steve Libert smashed a three-run homer. Tory Marino added two RBI. Dulhagen, Ray Fiumefreddo, Mike Palumbo, Mark Kane and Kevin Orlofski also knocked in runs. Don Matthews recorded the win. Joe Coveney went 1 for 3 with an RBI single for Madison (3-15).
Now, ironically enough, Wayne Valley will have to avoid looking ahead.
“We’ve got a big month coming up,” Marino said. “We have a pretty good shot to win a few championships (conference, county and state). The first thing we have to worry about, though, is Lakeland.”
Valley will go into the Lakeland off of a loss. They bowed to powerful Rutherford (14-1) Saturday at William Paterson, 4-3. Steve Libert hit a two-run triple in Valley’s three-run first inning. Rutherford bounced back with four runs in the last three innings.
“We were happy to play Wayne Valley at the end of the regular season,” Rutherford coach Mike Lauterhahn said. “They’re an exceptional team. Beating good teams battle-tests you for what’s up right around the corner”
5/2/05: The Indians, who stumbled through a 7-16 season in ’04, are 11-5 this season. They beat Passaic Valley and Passaic Tech last week. John Kruse had three RBI in Valley’s 8-6 triumph over PV (9-6). Jason Dulhagen had two and Tom O’Connor had one. The victory gives the Indians a regular season sweep of rival Passaic Valley.
“We’ve had inconsistent pitching this year,” PV coach John Mazzo said. “That’s been killing us.”
Jeff Hoover, Wayne Valley rookie varsity coach, played for Mazzo at Northern Highlands in the mid-80’s. Hoover has now beaten his former mentor twice. Mazzo could take solace in the fact that he may get anothershot at Hoover on a bigger stage. The teams could conceivably meet up in the County and/or the State Sectional tournaments
Rob Adams knocked in two runs for the Hornets. Jesse Santo, Sean Williams, Joe Emmolo and Jason Rattino had one RBI apiece. Mike Palumbo earned the win forWayne Valley.
Steve Libert delivered a double, single and an RBI as Valley defeated Passaic Tech (9-5), 4-2. Tory Marino, Tom O’Connor and Mark Muzer also batted in runs for the Indians.
Juan Padilla and Jon Marichal each had a double, single and an RBI for PCT.
Muzer Leads WV Past Lakeland
By Skiffo Drake
4/27/05: Wanaque – Last year’s wretched 7-16 record is now a distant memory. The once proud Wayne Valley baseball machine had fallen on tough times. The 2004 Indians hardly resembled the school previous teams that had six Passaic County and two State Sectional championships to its credit.
This year’s team is off to a 9-4 start. They are virtually assured of a State Sectional berth and a home game in the Passaic County Playoffs. Based on last year, both feats seemed impossible. It’s a good thing that the Indians did not see it that way.
“We’re not surprised,” leadoff hitter Mark Muzer said. “We’ve shown that we’re not one of the lower teams in the league anymore.”
Muzer has been making sure of that this year. The senior has a .522 batting average and an on-base percentage of .673. He has 24 hits and has only struck out twice.
In the team’s recent 9-4 triumph over Lakeland, Muzer was at it again. He went 5-for-5 with a home run, three singles, a double and four RBI.
“He really burned us,” Lakeland coach Mike Capozzi said. “It’s nice for them (Wayne Valley) to have a guy like that at the top of the order. There’s no way to pitch him. He’s got great wheels and he has power.”
“Muzer’s been hitting great for us all year,” Wayne Valley coach Jeff Hoover said. “He’s one of the best hitters around. He’s been a huge plus for us.”
Against the Lancers, Muzer had plenty of help. Mike Palumbo also contributed a two-run home run. John Kruse, Kevin Orlofski and Jason Dulhagen also knocked in runs.
Dulhagen’s run-scoring-single broke a 4-4 tie in the fifth inning. It was all-Indians from that point on. Eight of Valley’s runs came in the last three innings. Orlofsky earned the win from the hill.
“Our whole lineup can hit,” Muzer said. “We knew that coming into the season. It’s really a pressure-free situation. If I don’t get on, I know the people behind me have ea good chance to getting on.”
Kruse, who bats behind Muzer, is batting .395. Steve Libert is batting .364. Tom O’Connor leads the team with 18 RBI.
“After last year, we weren’t expected to do much this year,” Muzer said. “We’re not sleepers anymore, though.”
Valley Splits Games During 'Rivalry Week'
By Skiffo Drake, 4/11/05
Wayne – One of the great things about high school sports is that fans do not have to wait until the post season for important and emotional games. Sure, the County and State Tournaments are terrific. What often makes the season so much fun, however, are local rivalries that combine geography and tradition.
The Wayne Valley baseball team just went though a four game-stretch that they might consider dubbing “rivalry week.” The string of games started with a date with neighbor and long time rival Passaic Valley. The Indians then went on to take on cross-town Passaic Tech. Next, they took on Wayne Hills and Passaic Tech again
in the Greater Wayne Tournament.
Valley (4-3) walked away with a split. They lost to Tech in Friday’s regular season game, 4-3. They lost in Saturday’s first round Greater Wayne Tournament game to Wayne Hills, 7-3. They defeated PV, 8-0. They beat Tech in Saturday afternoon’s rematch, 13-2.
For Jeff Hoover, Wayne Valley’s head coach, the team’s win over Passaic Valley was extra special. Hoover played for high school baseball for Northern Highlands in the mid-80’s. John Mazzo, the current Passaic Valley coach, was Hoover’s freshmen coach at Northern Highlands.
“I feel bad that we shut them out,” Hoover said with a laugh. “I spoke with Coach Mazzo later that night. He wants to get back at me next time (April 27). I owe Coach Mazzo a lot. He taught me a great deal about baseball. Coaching against him was a tremendous experience. He’s such a great guy.”
Hoover’s high-opinion of his former coach did not make a difference Thursday. The Indians steamrolled past the Hornets for an easy win.
Matt Muzer led the way with two hits and two RBI. Steve Libert had two hits and one RBI. Tom O’Connor had two hits and one RBI. Ray Fiumefreddo, John Kruse and Tory Marino also batted in runs.
Matt Lenhard threw a complete game and recorded the win.
Don Matthews fired a complete-game, two-hitter in Valley’s win over Passaic Tech. He fanned nine of the 26 batters that he faced. Valley (4-3), on the other hand, slugged 20 hits. O’Connor, Kruse and Jason Dulhagen had two hits and two RBI. Fiumefreddo and Libert had two RBI apiece. Marino, Mark Kane and Mike Palumbo knocked in a run apiece.
Valley Wins Opener Over Caldwell
By Skiffo Drake
4/2/05: The Jeff Hoover era at Wayne Valley got off to a roaring start Friday as the Indians pummeled Caldwell, 11-1.
Hoover, Valley’s freshmen coach from 1997 to 2004, was named head coach during the off season. In his first year at the helm, he was blessed with a lineup comprised of 11 seniors. Hoover coached those seniors on Valley’s 2002 freshmen team.
“I’m not coming in from the somewhere else,” Hoover said. “We’re familiar with each other. It was a good group (the freshmen team). It was obvious that they had potential.”
Despite that potential, Hoover had concerns.
“We’ll be very experienced,” he said. “We should be a good hitting and fielding team. Pitching is the greatest concern.”
Sure enough, Wayne’s bats were explosive against Caldwell. The Indians pounded out 10 hits en-route to its easy win in this Northern Hills Conference cross-over game. Valley (Skyline Division) scored 10 runs in the first three innings and never looked back.
What was not as expected was Valley’s strong pitching. Kevin Orlofski, a steady pitcher in ’04, opened his senior season with a dominant performance. Caldwell (Suburban Division) is a traditionally strong team. Year-after-year, it seems, the Chiefs are embroiled in battles for Northern Hills Suburban supremacy with powerful Pequannock.
Against Orlofski, Caldwell was anything but strong. The senior’s pitches were simply overpowering. He hurled a four-hitter in almost six innings of work. He fanned four batters and allowed just one run to cross.
Orlofski, meanwhile, supported his own cause from the plate with two hits, two RBI and four runs scored.
First basemen Tom O’Connor led the offensive assault with four RBI. Third basemen Jason Dulhagen had two hits and one RBI.
Steve Libert had one hit and two RBI. Matt Lenhard had two hits. Mark Muzer had one hit and scored two runs. Ray Fiumefreddo and Matt Rigoglioso also scored runs.
The win jump-starts Valley’s season. A year ago, they stumbled to a 7-16 record. With the new coach in the mix, the Indians needed a quick start.
“Our conference is always strong,” Hoover said. “This year’s no different. We need to win early in order to establish ourselves.
Preview
By Skiffo Drake
Wayne-Jeff Hoover, the newly appointed Wayne Valley varsity baseball coach, often speaks in glowing terms about one of his predecessors, Steve Birchler.
Birchler, who spent 30 years in the Valley dugout (25 as head coach), retired after the 2003 season. Joe Del Buono, Birchler's direct-successor, lasted just one year (2004). Hoover, the freshmen coach (1997-to-2004) under Birchler and Del Buono, now occupies the top-spot.
"I learned a lot from Coach Birchler,” Hoover said. “He had a lot of success here. He had power house teams in the '80's. They tailed off a little in the '90's, but they were starting to turn it around before he (Birchler) retired.”
Despite Hoover's obvious respect for Birchler, he couldn't help but occasionally rib his former boss about a game played 20 years ago.
Hoover was a member of the 1985 Northern Highlands Section I, Group III championship team. They beat Birchler's Wayne Valley team in the semi-finals, 2-1. "That was one of Coach Birchler's best teams," said Hoover, a former second basemen and pitcher. Two decades later, Hoover can still recall Valley's two top pitchers - Matt Hoitsma and Scott Vuz.
“We (Norhtern Highlands) had a pretty good team as well. We squared off in one heck of a game. We won it in extra innings. "I could never have imagined that I'd be coaching Wayne Valley."
Brining Valley back to its "1980's level" is Hoover's No. 1 goal.
Birchler’s last two teams (2002 and 2003) won at least a share of the Northern Hills Skyline championship. Unfortunately, the team slipped again under Del Buono in 2004 (7-16).
"He had a very young team," Hoover said. "They lost some close games. That happens when you're team is made up mostly of juniors."
This year, the story could play out differently. Hoover's first varsity team is made up of 11 seniors.
“I coached these guys on the freshmen team four years ago,” Hoover said. “I told them then that they had a good chance to be pretty good by the time they were seniors. I didn’t know that I’d be coaching them, though.
“We have a good mix. We’ll be a good hitting and fielding team. Pitching is the biggest concern, though. We’ve looked good in practice, but we won’t really know what we have until the season starts. We’re inexperienced on the mound.”
Catcher Ray Fiumefreddo, the 2004 MVP, is expected to lead the way. The three-year starter batted .489 last year. He also had a .972 fielding percentage. Steve Libert (.457), Mark Muzer (.392), and Jason Dulhagen (.364) should again make a significant contribution from the plate.
First basemen Tom O’Connor had a .984 fielding percentage. Shortstop Matt Rigoglioso, the leading run scorer in each of the last two seasons, also returns.
Jason Dulhagen, who went 3-1 on the mound last season, is the top returning pitcher.
Valley hosts Caldwell in its opener on Friday.
PV-WV Rivalry Gets New Twist
By Skiffo Drake
The always exciting Wayne Valley-Passaic Valley rivalry will get an interesting twist this baseball season. Jeff Hoover, Wayne Valley's first year coach, played high school baseball at Northern Highlands (1982-to-1986). His freshmen coach was John Mazzo, the fifth-year Passaic Valley coach.
"I ran into Coach Mazzo at a Passaic County Coaches meeting," Hoover said. "We're both looking forward to
our first game. It's going to be fun. I really owe him a lot. I learned a lot about the game from him. He
also taught me about the importance of hard work and dedication. Coaching against him might be a little
strange at first. After the first few pitches I'm sure everything will be back to normal."
"I'm flattered that Jeff said that," Mazzo said. "Even at 14 (years of age), you could see that he was cut
out for coaching. He wasn't only interested in developing his skills. He was also interested in studying the game."
With the first matchup fast approaching, Mazzo isn't the least bit worried that he taught Hoover too much.
"I was very happy to hear that he got that job," Mazzo said. "I'll be rooting for Jeff. I told him that if
he needs anything, to call me immediately. I'd be happy to help him out. The schools have a rivalry. But
it's not the Yankees vs. the Red Sox. There's no animosity between the schools. I want him to succeed.
And I am sure that will."
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