It might have been 20 years since Hudson County crowned a state sectional champion in softball, but when Hoboken High School finally earned the distinction of being the first local state champ since 1987, it was definitely worth the wait.
The Red Wings won an epic battle against neighbor Secaucus last Friday, taking an 8-7 decision in 14 innings, a game that took more than three hours to complete and featured two gritty pitchers, Raquel Roder for Hoboken and Samantha Schlemm for Secaucus, going toe-to-toe for the entire game.
With the win, Hoboken captured the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group I championship, matching the achievement attained by the school’s baseball team. In the process, the Red Wings became Hudson County’s first state softball champion since North Bergen captured a crown in Group IV in 1987.
It had been a lengthy local drought, but one that came to an end in classic fashion.
“I don’t ever remember a game going that long,” Hoboken veteran head coach Carmine Ronga said. “Over the past 31 years at Hoboken, I don’t ever remember being involved in anything like it. I’ve seen a lot of things over the years, but nothing like this. I wish we had a video replay, because I would play it over and over. It was like one of those Instant Classics on ESPN. To really appreciate the last seven innings, I would need to watch it again.”
Added Ronga, “I was caught up in the moment and didn’t realize how dramatic it was. I would love the chance to absorb that incredible atmosphere.”
It was almost a shame that one of the two local teams had to lose. You almost wish that you could just stop the game and give them both a trophy.
But that’s not the way it works in softball, especially with the rule that after 10 innings, a runner starts at second base in an attempt to break the tie. And the two teams still went at it for four innings, until Paige Peguero’s single brought home Ashley Claussen with the game-winning run in the bottom of the 14th inning.
It appeared in the 10th inning as if Secaucus was going to win the game, scoring three runs to go ahead, 6-3. But Hoboken countered with a three-run homer from Jennifer Albuja, sending the game to an 11th frame.
“That inning may never be forgotten,” Ronga said.
Neither will the pitching performance of Roder, who struck out an amazing 22 batters over the course of the 14 innings, throwing more than 170 pitches.
“I would have to assume that has to be some sort of a record, especially for a sectional final,” Ronga said. “She’s been so consistent all year long. She just doubled her numbers. She averaged 11 strikeouts over seven innings, so she had 22 over 14. I never even asked her if she was tired. She just kept going back out there.”
One of the players who wished she could be out there was senior Paola Marin, whose duties all season have been relegated to keeping the scorebook. A year ago, Marin was one of the best catchers in Hudson County and definitely an inspirational leader for the Red Wings.
But Marin suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her knee during soccer season and the surgery and rehabilitation have kept her off the field all year.
“It was really tough for me to sit there and watch it,” Marin said. “I felt like something ended for me that didn’t even start yet. I really wanted to be out there. Emotionally, physically, it was tough for me, but I wanted to be a part of it all and I’m very proud of my teammates.”
“That’s what Paola is made of,” Ronga said. “That’s the type of kid she is. She made the decision to have the surgery, and it killed the kid not to play. But she wanted to be there with us every step of the way. Her character is unbelievable. She never missed a day. We missed her as a team leader. She said, `If I can’t play, I’ll keep the book.’ She’s very important to me as a person.”
After the Red Wings lost to archrival High Tech in the HCIAA Seglio semifinals, Ronga reminded the players that they still had the state playoffs to shoot for.
“I told them that it was only one game, one loss,” Ronga said. “I knew these kids could bounce back.”
“After we lost that game, we just changed our focus and thought about winning the states,” Marin said. “We were going for it all.”
Marin was asked if the Red Wings realized that they had created history with their win.
“I don’t think we’ve fully realized the full picture, the magnitude of it all,” Marin said. “We knew that no other team had done this in Hudson County for so long. I think we’ve raised the bar a little.”
“I don’t know how truly remarkable it is, because I think Hudson County teams winning state championships are becoming more and more of a possibility,” Ronga said. “Hudson County is taking softball more seriously. I think you’re going to see it happen many more times in the years to come. We’re glad to make history and glad that we’re representing Hoboken and Hudson County.”
Ronga said that he felt compassion for Secaucus, which gave more than a game effort.
“We were exhausted the day after the game and we won,” Ronga said. “I can’t even imagine playing that hard and that long and losing. I can’t imagine how they must have felt. Without a doubt, it was a war.”
The Red Wings’ season ended Tuesday with a 3-1 loss to Pompton Lakes in the Group I semifinals in Ramsey.
“The girls were upset, but I told them that we’re only taking positives from this,” Ronga said. “I tried to tell them that they had a great season and that we should live for the positives. There were four teams in Group I still playing in the entire state and we were one of those four. I think they realized all the great things that they did.”
The Red Wings will come back next year with a team almost entirely intact. Only Albuja, Marin, Gabriela Sanchez and Yeraldin Sanchez (no relation) graduate from the state sectional champions.
“We’re going to take it one year at a time,” Ronga said. “But we’re planning on being back.”