Tradition stays alive in most untraditional summer, as Cranford claims Last Dance World Series title
To understand the tradition of Cranford baseball, just have Dennis McCaffery show you his recent text inbox.
The coach of the proud baseball program for more than two decades said he received upward of 15 messages Friday from former players generously offering up their already-purchased tickets for the Last Dance World Series final – a hot commodity in a quick coronavirus sellout – to the families of the current players.
“That tells you a little bit about the character of this program,” McCaffery said. “A little bit about the tradition.”
The tradition grew yet again Friday with Cranford’s past, present and future all on hand.
Taking on LDWS South champion and perennial state powerhouse Jackson Memorial at Arm & Hammer Park in Trenton before a sea of six-feet scattered fans clad in Cranford blue and yellow, the Cougars followed the same script they have all month en route to the most unforgettable state championship in program history – and there’s already been plenty.
Big school, small school, public or private, no opponent the last four weeks was able to match the offensive firepower, precision pitching and overall skill from top to bottom the Group 3 Cougars displayed.
Jackson Memorial became Cranford’s latest – and final – victim of the summer, dropping a 12-spot in the first three innings before coasting to a 12-2 win in five innings – its second straight mercy-run rule victory and third straight double-digit win against some of the most elite competition New Jersey baseball has to offer.
“You’re getting what you deserve,” McCaffery told his team just moments after the dogpile celebration in the infield after capping a four-game run that saw Cranford outscore Ridgewood, Don Bosco, Bergen Catholic and Jackson Memorial, 42-4. “You work hard and good things happen in life. You guys deserve this because you’re the hardest working team in the state of New Jersey.
“And that’s why you’re the best team in the state of…”
McCaffery was mobbed by his players before even finishing the sentence, but the sentiment was clear. No team in the state took advantage of the Last Dance World Series quite like Cranford did, playing near-perfect baseball for a month to now be able to lay claim as the indisputable No. 1 team in the state.
“This felt bigger than a normal state tournament,” said recently graduated Aidan Plick, one of the summer’s biggest stars who went 2-for-2 with a walk, three runs and his team’s first RBI in his final game representing the Cougars. “Honestly, it did, because high school get divided by publics and privates. With this, everybody was in it and everybody had a chance.”
It was the Cougars who ultimately made the very most of theirs.
In a tournament that started with a whopping 222 teams statewide – of all sizes, enrollments and talent pools – Cranford now stands alone as arguably New Jersey’s truest “state champion” ever.
“As you kept winning and got deeper into the tournament, people would say things like, ‘Oh, you’d be Union County champs because you’re the last team in Union,’ or ‘Oh, you would’ve been Group 3 champs because you’re the last Group 3 school left.’” Plick said. “But none of that really mattered to us. We didn’t care who we were playing. And there’s really no debating now.”
On Friday, Cranford struck for four runs in the first and eight in the third with all nine batters recording at least one run or one RBI. Eight of the nine starters registered at least one of the Cougars’ 10 hits, with Plick and catcher Lucca Limeira both collecting a pair.
Ryan Jaros, Cranford’s star freshman third baseman and extra base-hit machine, essentially put the game out of reach with a three-run double to deep center in that third to give the Cougars a 10-0 lead, more than enough run support necessary for Cranford starter Joe Carea.
All month long, Cranford’s lineup was in midseason form in this unique season-less season.
And that didn’t happen by accident.
“Our lineup was just unstoppable,” said leadoff man Marcus Johnson (1-for-3, walk, two runs, one steal). “When it was freezing in the winter, we’d still be outside doing workouts. We’d be in the weight room. Throwing. Practicing. We were prepared to play games in January, so when we found out we’d have this chance, we knew we’d be ready.
“And I think this group is one of the most talented groups Cranford has ever had.”
No previous Cranford state champion team had to navigate the type of bracket this year’s version had to, but these Cougars often turned contests against supposed ‘favorites’ into laughers the other way.
They did so behind a relentless one-through-nine lineup – one with just four seniors (Plick, Jake DiClerico, Mike Murphy and Joe Meola) – all capable of driving balls through a gap but equally as willing and capable of laying down a bunt or making a productive out to keep the line moving.
That chemistry, Plick said, is the product of being a public school team – an advantage in the Last Dance.
“A lot of these guys here, we’ve been teammates for so long,” Plick said. “Year in, year out, since we were 8 years old. There was no adjustment period needed with us. We’ve been playing together and it showed this summer.”
JJ Conrad may be reached at jjconrad8@gmail.com