Ray Coccioli could have never dreamed that his first season as the Union City softball coach would end in the first Hudson County championship ever captured by a Union City school – and the first championship for Union City High School other than bowling.
“No, I never thought this was possible,” Coccioli said after his team totally shocked regular season champion and only once-beaten North Bergen, 6-5, at New Jersey City University Sunday morning. “I knew that we had some talent and I knew we could compete, but I never expected this to happen.”
What made the Soaring Eagles title even more shocking is that they fell twice to the mighty Bruins during the regular season.
Just two weeks ago, North Bergen pitching ace Carla Arismendi fired a three-hit shutout in defeating Union City.
So what changed in those two weeks?
“We made some preparations in the batting cage and let them see faster pitching,” Coccioli said. “It definitely paid off.”
Coccioli also reminded the Soaring Eagles about the difficulty of defeating one team three times in the same season.
“That’s exactly the sentiment I told them about,” Coccioli said. “I am a New York Giants fan and I reminded them that Dallas beat the Giants twice in the regular season [in 2007] and then the Giants beat them in the playoffs en route to the Super Bowl. We were competitive against North Bergen both times. We knew if we faced them a third time that we could compete with them. I knew it was going to be tough to beat us three times.”
Standout senior shortstop Angelique Nieves agreed.
“We all knew that North Bergen was favored to win, but we were ready to prove everyone wrong,” Nieves said. “We knew that it was anyone’s game. I just had a feeling that we were going to come out on top. We kept a positive outlook throughout.”
Nieves was asked what was different facing the seemingly unbeatable Arismendi this time around.
“We all treated every at-bat like it was our last,” Nieves said. “I think that’s what brought out our best.”
“Timely hitting was definitely the key,” Coccioli said.
The clutch plate performances came from freshman catcher Shalia Rolon, who drove in the first Union City run with a double.
“She got us going,” Coccioli said.
Then, Amanda Casillas delivered the devastating blow, smacking a three-run homer that gave Coccioli a sense that the Soaring Eagles were about to make history. Nieves chipped in with a solo homer, enabling her to have the distinction of being the only girl in Hudson County history to play on consecutive county softball champions with two different teams. Nieves played for 2010 champion High Tech.
“It really hasn’t hit me yet,” Nieves said. “It will hit me soon. It really is amazing. Eventually, it will sink in..”
“It can’t get any better than this,” Coccioli said. “Winning a championship in my first year? Hopefully, we can build the program up and continue to be there every year.”
Coccioli was asked about the contributions of sophomore pitcher Melissa Mendoza.
“It was very impressive for a sophomore to handle herself as well as she did,” Coccioli said. “She held that very high-powered team to 14 runs in three games. For her to do well like that is a good stepping stone for the future.”
But the key to the entire championship season was the lucky charm that remained at High Tech and played for Union City.
“We were very fortunate to have Angie,” Coccioli said. “She showed everyone why she’s the best player in the county. She made a play in the first inning that was like Rey Ordonez [the former flashy Mets shortstop]. She backhanded the ball, dove, got up and got Carla [Arismendi]. For her to win county championships with two different teams was very impressive.”
So was defeating a 21-1 team to win the county title in one of the biggest upsets in county softball history…
Condolences to the friends and family of former Dickinson athletic director Roddy Maffia, who passed away last week after a brief illness. “Maff” was 79 years old.
Affectionately known to everyone as “Maff,” Roddy was a lovable, warm, hearty soul who loved all kids, not just his beloved students at Dickinson. He went out of his way to help so many kids over the years and embraced most of the students at Dickinson like they were his own, even though he was never blessed with his own.
He had such a passion for a lot of things – good Italian food, the University of Nebraska football, life and the kids of Dickinson. When “Maff” saw me, it was always with a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. He was that way with everyone.
We can only hope that when “Maff” entered the Pearly Gates last week, the Faa was waiting for him with his golf cart. And if that’s the case, the two of them are yelling and screaming at each other right now. It’s unfathomable to think that the Jersey City athletic scene has lost Billy DeFazio, Ed “The Faa” Ford and Roddy Maffia in a span of six months. Rest in peace, “Maff.” I hope that there are great cannolis where you are now…
Hoboken also lost a major sports player with the passing of long-time Little League coach Junior Casazza this week…
Congrats to the Secaucus softball team, which clinched the NJIC Meadowlands A Division championship with a victory over Lyndhurst last week. It was fitting that great seniors like Shannon Waters, Alexis Waters, Andrea Innis and Kelsey Snedeker were able to go out as champions…
It’s almost unbelievable the way the local baseball and softball teams are struggling through the NJSIAA state playoffs that began Monday. Union City’s softball champs suffered a first-round setback to Passaic Tech, a day after defeating North Bergen.
“There was definitely a hangover,” Coccioli said. “We put all our effort to defeat North Bergen and it was an emotional win. We just weren’t ready to play in the states. No question, that win had an effect.”
The Soaring Eagles were not alone. Several baseball teams, like Memorial, North Bergen, Bayonne and Secaucus also fell. Hoboken, Weehawken and Union City were the only ones to win first round baseball games. It’s a shame the way these teams’ seasons all ended so abruptly in a year that will be more remembered for the lousy weather they endured…–Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.