Mountainside Honors GL Softball and Baseball Champions

At the August 18 Mountainside Borough Council meeting, Mayor Paul Mirabelli read proclamations honoring two Governor Livingston championship teams: the Varsity Softball team and the Varsity Baseball team, both 2026 sectional champions.

The softball team claimed the 2026 NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2 Group 2 Championship — the program's first sectional title since 2010. Members of the team were present at the meeting, and Mayor Mirabelli posed with the players and coaches for photos.

Head Coach Erin Lanigan spoke to what defined the season. "Throughout the season, we found ourselves in situations where many teams may have folded. Yet every single time, this team responded the same way and fought back," Lanigan said. The team earned a pair of nicknames along the way. "We became known as the 'come back kids' and 'the cardiac kids,'" Lanigan added. "We apologize to all of our parents and fans who had to endure those elevated heart rates with us time and time again. These girls deserve all the recognition they have been getting these last few months."

The mayor's proclamation for the softball team read, in part: "This championship stands as a testament not only to the team's athletic accomplishments, but also to the enduring values of dedication, leadership, perseverance, integrity, and mutual respect that define successful student-athletes."

The Varsity Baseball team, coached by Chris Roof, was not in attendance but was acknowledged by the council. The team defeated Allentown High School 5-4 to win the Central Jersey Group 2 Section Championship — the program's third consecutive sectional title and its 12th section championship in school history. The proclamation noted the baseball program as one of the region's premier high school baseball teams.

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FAQ SECTION

Q: Who did Mountainside honor at the August 18 council meeting?
A: Mayor Paul Mirabelli read proclamations honoring two Governor Livingston championship teams: the Varsity Softball team and the Varsity Baseball team.

Q: What championship did the softball team win?
A: The softball team won the 2026 NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2 Group 2 Championship.

Q: Is this a significant achievement for the softball program?
A: Yes. This is the program's first sectional title since 2010.

Q: Were the softball players present at the meeting?
A: Yes. Members of the softball team attended the meeting and posed for photos with the mayor and coaches.

Q: What nicknames did the softball team earn?
A: The team became known as the "come back kids" and "the cardiac kids" for their comebacks throughout the season.

Q: What did Coach Erin Lanigan say about the team's resilience?
A: Lanigan stated, "Throughout the season, we found ourselves in situations where many teams may have folded. Yet every single time, this team responded the same way and fought back."

Q: What did the mayor's proclamation highlight?
A: The proclamation noted the team's athletic accomplishments and the values of dedication, leadership, perseverance, integrity, and mutual respect that define successful student-athletes.

Q: What championship did the baseball team win?
A: The baseball team won the Central Jersey Group 2 Section Championship, defeating Allentown High School 5-4.

Q: Is this a significant achievement for the baseball program?
A: Yes. This is the program's third consecutive sectional title and its 12th section championship in school history.

Q: Who coaches the baseball team?
A: The baseball team is coached by Chris Roof.

Q: Was the baseball team present at the meeting?
A: No, the baseball team was not in attendance but was acknowledged by the council.

Q: How is the baseball program described?
A: The proclamation noted the baseball program as one of the region's premier high school baseball teams.