As the Red Bank Catholic baseball players watched Don Bosco, Ramsey, celebrate its 4-1 win over the Caseys in the June 9 NJSIAA Non-Public A state championship final, there was no denying it hurt.
But in years to come, when looking back on it all, that pain will be overcome by warm memories of success and togetherness.
“They’re a good group of kids,” coach Buddy Hausmann said after the loss at Hamilton’s Veterans Park. “These guys that are leaving are all very close.”
PHOTO GALLERY: RBC baseball team plays in state championship
Senior first baseman Frank Scrivanic, who went 3-for-3, echoed those thoughts.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Scrivanic, who’s headed for Seton Hal Universityl, South Orange. “This is a great group of guys. (It was about) just forming bonds with my teammates. I never played with a team like this. It’s honestly the best thing I’ve ever experienced. It’s my family now. It was awesome. I’m gonna miss them.”
Senior catcher Shane Andrus, who’s committed to Drew University, Madison, felt likewise.
“This was my favorite season out of all the ones I’ve had,” Andrus said. “It was just different chemistry this year. We do have two other championships for the season. This one hurts but we had a great season.”
RBC won a record fourth straight Shore Conference title and claimed a sectional crown for the first time since 1997 in winning the South Jersey Non-Public A championship. Hausmann credited his seniors for getting the program over the hump in state play.
“We bow out all the time in the state tournament,” the veteran skipper said. “We win the Shore Conference and it’s over. We find stupid ways to lose, or whatever. But these guys showed the younger guys this is what you need to do in June. When there’s a lot of things going on at school, proms and graduations, this is the focus you need. If you want to get a chance at this again, you have to put in all this. And half this group will be back.”
RBC actually took a first-inning lead when Sean Griggs singled, Scrivanic doubled and Andrus hit a sacrifice fly. Don Bosco tied it in the bottom of the inning before the Caseys (24-6) put runners on first and third in the second but couldn’t score against Mike Staiano.
“It was crucial to get at least one there,” Andrus said. “We needed to get in his head and put something together.”
Staiano settled in, allowing just two hits over his final four frames of work. Don Bosco scored four in the fourth for the winning runs.
“Honestly, I think we were just a little anxious (against Staiano),” Scrivanic said. “Everyone was on it. We had some tough at-bats, some hard hit balls. But they got the best of us.” The hurt was visible on Andrus’ face afterward, but he still relished the big picture.
“This is what we really wanted, so it’s upsetting,” he said. “But it was amazing. I love this team. Even though we didn’t get the outcome we wanted, it’s been a great three years, a great experience.”