DePaul wins third straight Passaic County softball title
Abby Kiem strikes out nine and a first-time MVP sparks the offense in the shutout.
RIVERDALE – Emma Cifelli won her third Passaic County softball title in her career, almost as importantly, was named the game MVP in the post-game huddle for the first time this season. “I mean, I was surprised, I couldn’t really believe it, and I was just so excited in the moment too,” said the DePaul junior outfielder. “It feels great.
It gets better every year. It never gets old and I hope we do it again next year. ” Powered by a 3-4 day by Cifelli, two RBIs by Arianna Avella and an first-inning home run from star Kaelyn Brown, the top-seeded Spartans blanked Passaic Valley 7-0 at Independence Park May 8 to win their third Passaic County softball title in a row.
It is also the school’s 10th title in the last 14 tournaments – there was no tournament in 2020. Coming in, about the only one without a Spartans Passaic County champs t-shirt was first-year coach Shawn Stacevicz. That’s changed.
“I knew we were going to get the job done. Abby [Kiem] told me she felt real good and you could see when KB popped that first one, if she feels good it’s all over,” said Stacevicz. The game began in a steady spring rain, before the sun broke through.