Cresskill Baseball Extends Late-Season Surge

Cresskill extended its late-season push with a 6-3 road win over Ridgefield on Friday at Veterans Field, according to NJ.com. The victory moved the Cougars to 10-13 and gave them five wins in their last six games. William Ruzich struck out four to lead the pitching effort, while Dean Presta scored twice in the win. NJ.com’s recap also identified Orri Shapira and Max Reiner as key contributors in the offense and on the bases. ### How did Cresskill keep the streak going Friday? Friday’s 6-3 result followed a stretch in which Cresskill had already won four straight before a loss to Park Ridge on May 18, then returned to the win column against Ridgefield. NJ.com’s team page shows Cresskill beating Lyndhurst twice, Tenafly once and Becton once during the run before the Park Ridge loss. The Ridgefield game restored the momentum just days before state tournament play. (nj.com) Veterans Field in Ridgefield hosted the game, and Ridgefield’s school calendar listed Cresskill as the Royals’ Friday opponent. NJ.com’s recap said Cresskill got enough offense to support its staff and close out the road win. ### Which players were central in the 6-3 win? William Ruzich recorded four strikeouts, according to NJ.com’s game recap, giving Cresskill a steady outing on the mound. (highschoolsports.nj.com) The same recap said Dean Presta crossed the plate twice. Those details framed the game as a combination of run prevention and timely scoring rather than a single big inning. (northjerseyic.org) Orri Shapira and Max Reiner were cited in the story context as multi-hit, base-stealing contributors for Cresskill. NJ.com’s published snippet confirms the score, the venue, the winning trend and Ruzich’s strikeout total, while the broader account tied the offense to pressure on the bases. (nj.com) ### What does the record look like heading into the postseason? Cresskill entered Friday at 9-13 and left at 10-13, based on NJ.com’s team schedule and recap. The Cougars’ recent turnaround came after a 5-12 start that included losses to Glen Rock, Pascack Hills and Bergen Tech earlier in May. Four straight wins from May 11 through May 16 changed the shape of the closing week. (nj.com) NJ.com’s baseball listings show the Ridgefield recap among statewide Friday results, placing Cresskill’s surge in the final days before sectional games begin. The schedule page lists only one more regular-season game, against Butler, before the state tournament opener. ### Where does Ridgefield fit into the closing schedule? Ridgefield was a non-conference road stop late in the calendar, and the Royals’ athletics page listed the matchup for May 22 at 5 p.m. at Veterans Field. (highschoolsports.nj.com) For Cresskill, the timing mattered because it came between the Park Ridge loss and the start of postseason play. The result also added another road win to a stretch that already included victories at Lyndhurst and Becton. (highschoolsports.nj.com) NJ.com’s schedule page shows Cresskill’s recent success has come both home and away, not only in one setting. ### What comes next for Cresskill? May 27 is the next date on Cresskill’s posted schedule, with the Cougars set to play at Midland Park in the first round of the 2026 NJSIAA Baseball Tournament, North Jersey, Section 1, Group 1. (northjerseyic.org) NJ.com’s team page lists that game after a regular-season date with Butler. A statewide tournament-pairings roundup published by the Asbury Park Press said first-round baseball games begin May 26 and May 27. (highschoolsports.nj.com)