West Milford came back from a three-run deficit today to register its much-needed first win of the two-week-old season.
The Highlanders (1-5) scored four times in bottom of the sixth to top Ramapo, 11-10, in a Big North, non-division game.
Junior pitcher Harry Van Dyke’s two-run single capped the Highlanders’ four-run sixth inning and provided the eventual game-winning run. Junior first baseman Chris Boes’ two-run single in the sixth tied the game at 9 for West Milford, the reigning North 1, Group 3 champion.
Van Dyke picked up the win in relief for the Highlanders. Junior shortstop John Tierney also went 2-for-4, drove in three runs and scored twice for West Milford in its victory over Ramapo (4-4), the No. 12 team in The Record Top 25.
West Milford technically brought back five players who started games for last season’s sectional championship squad, but coach Joe Jordan expected the young Highlanders to experience some growing pains early this season. Today’s win was a promising sign for Jordan and his players that West Milford is capable of giving good teams trouble this season.