DePaul softball returns to the top, captures first Passaic County title since 2018
RIVERDALE – Vita Waddell knew a little something about the great DePaul Catholic softball teams and its storied past when she first came to the Wayne parochial school three years ago.
The junior pitcher was aware that the program had won a bunch of county titles at one time, and that for most of the last decade, ruled the Passaic County scene.
With history behind her, Waddell and her teammates brought the magic back to Alps Road on Saturday when DePaul claimed its first Passaic County title with a 7-3 victory over intra-town rival Wayne Valley at Independence Park.
It’s DePaul’s 13th county title in program history and first since 2018 when it won a string of seven straight starting in 2012.
“I knew that we were going to make some history of our own and that’s what we set out to do. We were underrated from a seeding standpoint, but like coach has said all season, until the job is finished, no one thinks we’re anything yet until we become something,” Waddell said. “It’s very easy to perform when you can trust your teammates behind you. It takes a lot of pressure off knowing that. We’re ready to win every game, every time we take the field.”
Waddell, a two-way standout, got the job done in the circle and at the plate for the Spartans. The Rutherford resident threw a complete game, with 10 strikeouts and set the tone in the bottom of the first inning when she launched a three-run home run to left field to give DePaul the lead for good.
DePaul (12-10) only strung together four hits, but got timely production with runners in scoring position. Taylor Levedag, Hope Sullivan and Alexa Murdoch, had the other three hits for the Spartans and Sulivan, Amanda Fasolino and Julia Regan, all had one RBI apiece. DePaul scored runs in each of the second, fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
Wayne Valley was led by Sophia Biroc, who had two hits and two RBIs. Her base hit RBI to center field in the top of the second inning scored the Indians first run of the game. She later singled on a fly ball to right field in the fifth to plate another run.
Mackenzie Crowe and Sumaya Ali had two hits for the Indians and Lilliana Houser had a hit and an RBI. Crowe took the loss, going 5 ⅔ innings, striking out eight and surrendering five hits, four earned runs, and six walks.
What it means
DePaul earns its first county title in six years. The Spartans previously claimed crowns from 1982-1985, 2004, and 2012-2018.
DePaul has now beaten Wayne Valley six straight times. Saturday's county title game was the first meeting between the schools this season.
Wayne Valley (11-8) was playing in its first county championship since 2015.
First time
This is the first county title for DePaul first-year coach Frank Zampese, who previously was an assistant under longtime Spartans coach Sue Parler.
"We're going to be around for while. Sue [Parler] was the first person I hugged after the game. I was with her for a long time. She's taught me so much and so has the game. I love her and the kids," Zampese said.
"This team is a team. At the beginning of the season we weren't much of a team, but we started to become one at the right time. Everyone is starting to understand their roles. This is a different way to play and they're not used to this way, but I think it's working out really well."
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: DePaul softball returns to the top, captures first county title since 2018
