DePaul wins third straight Passaic County softball title

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.

Members of the DePaul softball team pose after winning their third straight Passaic County softball title.

“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. Passaic Valley standout Lily Allmendinger, the second batter of the contest, drove a ball deep into left field, where it was caught two steps in from the fence by Jenna Regan.

In the bottom of the first, Cifelli, who bats second for DePaul, laced a single to left. Brown then roped a laser to right field that sailed over the fence by a few feet.

“I had no idea off the bat,” Brown said. “I only noticed when I got to second base and I looked and I was like, wow.”

“Going up 2-0 in the first inning is [big],” Stacevicz said. “After she hit that home run, I knew we were going to start rolling.”

DePaul broke it open in the third. Kiem walked to lead off the inning and Cifelli singled. Brown walked to load the bases. Regan clocked an RBI single and two more runs came in on walks.

Cifelli singled again in the fourth to ignite another rally to make it 7-0.

“Emma had a great game,” said Brown. “It feels great. I am excited. We have worked all year for this, workouts in March and to come here and win and show out is a great feeling.”