Ramsey zips past Blue Wolves for county title by Darren Cooper of The Record
MAHWAH – Ramsey coach Chris Caserta pointed out the obvious fact, his team was made up of girls from one zip code, and when is the last time a Bergen County softball champion can say that?
Well, you could go even further and say that the Rams achieved their county title Saturday thanks to the efforts of two girls with the same address.
Sparked by the Sebastian sisters, Victoria, the sophomore pitcher, and Olivia, the freshman center fielder (a combined eight hits and five RBI), Ramsey roared back to overtake Immaculate Conception, 13-4, to claim the school’s first softball county title since 1994 Saturday at Mahwah High School.
SOFTBALL: Ramsey overcomes early adversity for BCT title
COOPER: Pascack Hills breaks ground on new softball era
“This was a gauntlet and they lived up to it,” said Caserta. “This was a tough bracket and they showed up today and I so proud of them. I can’t tell you how proud I am of them. They’re winners and I love them.”
For the record, the last ‘one zip code’ program to win a Bergen County softball title is 2005 (Ridgewood). Ramsey is the first Group 2 school to win the honor since Indian Hills in 2010. The Braves have bounced between Group 2 and Group 3. Before the Braves though, you’d have to go back to Ramsey’s last title in 1994 to find a Group 2 program to win it.
Obviously, the Sebastian sisters weren’t around then, but it’s clear they will play a huge role in North Jersey softball the next three years. Victoria is 16, with the wide smile and broad shoulders. She doesn’t so much as hit the ball as make you feel sorry for the ball on contact.
Olivia is lankier, quicker perhaps. While Victoria has the all-important lead-off spot for the Rams (26-0), Olivia bats ninth, which can also be an important position.
“People underestimate her,” said Victoria. “Like, ‘oh, she’s the nine batter,’ but we put her down there for a reason. She gets on base and does her job. People overlook her and they shouldn’t.”
Olivia did the first bit of digging for the Rams Saturday out of the hole they found themselves in after two innings. Immaculate Conception, without the benefit of a hit, but taking advantage of some nervous Rams defense, seized a 4-0 lead.
Olivia put Ramsey on the board with a sharp single that deflected on star Blue Wolves shortstop Gabby Fredette’s glove and into left field.
“I was definitely nervous, because we were down,” said Olivia. “But I knew my team and we have always been able to pull through. I didn’t doubt my team for a second.”
That turned the line-up over for Victoria, who promptly crushed a three-run home to left field to tie the score.
Incredibly, Victoria’s home run landed just about 10 feet away from her pitching coach of the last three years, Jill Medea. It was like the world of North Jersey softball had all converged in that one spot.
15 years ago to the day – yes, May 26, 2002 — Medea threw a complete game for her school, Immaculate Heart Academy in a county final victory over Paramus Catholic. Her coach at IHA? Jeff Horohonich, who coached Immaculate Conception Saturday.
Medea and Victoria Sebastian went out to dinner together Friday night.
“I love her like a sister,” said Medea. “She is a great kid. It has just been so awesome to see her development the last two years. She’s a phenomenal athlete.”
“She has helped me tremendously,” said Victoria about Medea. “When I was younger, I never wanted to pitch. I said I wanted to play first base. Jill made me love pitching. She showed me that it was a lot more fun than I thought. She made me want to do it.”
Victoria has four pitchers in her arsenal, including a vicious screwball that breaks away from right handers, and occasionally rises as well. Yeah, that’s filthy.
And after bringing the Rams back even with Immaculate Conception, Victoria elevated her team to the highest level of any team in North Jersey this year. Ramsey took the lead for good on a Gabby Marchisin two-run double in the third, McKenzie Bishop broke it open with a two-run double in the fifth. The Rams played solid defense after the first two innings. The only, maybe, downside was that they missed out on chances to end the game earlier.
Afterwards, Caserta passed out praises and hugs. He was thinking of taking the trophy for a one-man parade down Main Street. The pool at the Sebastian house was open for business, dog Champ, working at home patiently.
No one needed to tell the girls the address. They already know. That’s another perk of being in one zip code.