Glen Ridge HS baseball team defeats Cedar Grove in season opener

GLEN RIDGE – The Glen Ridge High School varsity baseball team defeated Cedar Grove, 10-6, in the season opener Friday, April 1, at Hurrell Field, giving Liam Penberthy his first win as the Ridgers head coach.

Owen Hannigan led the Ridgers at the plate and on the mound. Hannigan pitched a complete game, scattering eight hits with five earned runs and five walks and striking out two. At the plate, Hannigan went 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI.

Matt Buchmann went 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs and two stolen bases and Rob Spitaletta went 2-for-4 with a double, three runs and one stolen base for the Ridgers.

The weather cooperated and rain held off long enough for the teams to get the full game in.

After Hannigan pitched a perfect top of the first inning, the Ridgers scored two runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 2-0 lead.

Cedar Grove took advantage of an error and a walk to start the top of the second inning as they scored three runs. But the Ridgers answered in the bottom of the inning with a seven-run rally. Bases on balls in the third inning once again set up Cedar Grove as they cut the Ridgers’ lead to 9-6. But the Ridgers scored an insurance run in the bottom of the inning and held on for the victory.

“It was an exciting first few innings as both sides were aggressive at the plate,” said Penberthy. “Once Owen was able to settle in, he cruised through the final four innings, giving up only two hits. He pitched to contact and allowed his defense to do the work.

“It was a nice way to start the season.”

Upcoming games

April 6, North 13th Street Tech

April 8, at East Side

April 11, West Essex

April 13, Montclair Kimberley Academy

April 15, at West Orange

April 16, Bloomfield Tech, 11 a.m.

April 18, Verona

April 19, at Butler

April 20, at Cedar Grove

April 25, Columbia