Glen Ridge Senior American Legion baseball team enjoying good good summer

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GLEN RIDGE – The Glen Ridge Senior American Legion baseball team, consisting of Glen Ridge High School players, is gaining plenty of experience this summer while competing in the Essex County Senior American Legion League.

Glen Ridge is looking to build off this past high school season. The Ridgers advanced to the state North Jersey Section 2, Group 1 tournament championship for the first time since 1994. Though they lost to Bloomfield Tech, 3-2, in the sectional final, it was an encouraging season for the team.

This summer the Senior Legion team once again is guided by coach Rob Rollo. Glen Ridge sported a 6-5 record and was in second place with 12 points behind Bloomfied (13-2, 26 points) in the American Division through June 30.

Glen Ridge defeated Caldwell three times, Belleville, West Orange and Verona. Leading the way on the mound is Grant Naylor, who has two wins. Maxwell Thompson also has pitched well, in addition to playing well in center field, said Rollo.

The offense has been clutch.

“We have been hitting well as a team, getting the big hits when needed,” Rollo said.

The following are upcoming games:

Tuesday, July 5
Livingston at Glen Ridge, at Hurrell Field, 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday, July 6
Montclair at Glen Ridge, at Hurrell Field, 5:45 p.m.

Friday, July 8
Glen Ridge at Montclair, at Woodman Field, 5:45 p.m.

Saturday, July 9
Belleville at Glen Ridge, 10 a.m. doubleheader

Monday, July 11
Verona at Glen Ridge, 5:45 p.m.

Tuesday, July 12
West Essex Knights at Glen Ridge, 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday, July 13 (final regular-season game)
Cedar Grove at Glen Ridge, 5:45 p.m.

NOTE: The Essex County Senior American Legion League received six bids to the state tournament. The two division winners (American and National) and the next four best teams in terms of points receive bids. The districts will be held July 16-20. The Final 8 is July 23-28.

The districts are: District 1, at Breslin Field in Lyndhurst. District 2, at Teener League Field in Union. District 3, at Mercer County Park in West Windsor; and District 4, at Union Field in West Deptford. The Final 8 is played at Moody Park in Ewing Township.