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Former Don Bosco Prep coach Greg Butler, who now helps out with the NJSIAA, was on hand for the Monday, June 16, Group 2 state final at Wood-Ridge and had chance to meet up with GL coach Chris Roof as the two men are now the last two head coaches to direct their respective baseball squads to undefeated seasons, a job completed by Highlanders with 6-1 win vs. West Morris.Starting pitcher Keith Mann delivered solid start, reliever Anthony DeNora induces the game's final our on ground ball to second base and GL can celebrate its NJSIAA title. (Photos by JR Parachini and John Haddad)

Alex Adornato, GL's No. 6 batter in the lineup and right fielder, was two-for-two with two singles and was also hit by a pitch as he reached base all three times up.

Alex, a senior, and his younger brother Addison, a freshman on the team, lost their father this year earlier during the season.

"This is for Alex and Addison, we did it for them," Roof said.

When Pappas was up with the bases loaded in the fourth, he fouled off three straight pitches and had the game's longest at-bat up until that point of eight pitches before he came through in the clutch with his two-run single.

"There's no better feeling," Pappas said.

'There isn't a nicer, young man," Roof said. "Everyone on the team works hard, but Ryan really works hard."

GL repeated as Union County Tournament; Central Jersey, Group 2; and Group 2 state champions for the first time. The Highlanders also captured the Union County Conference's Watchung Division title at 11-0. GL won a division title, a UCT crown, a sectional state championship and a group title all in the same season for the first time.

The division title was the only championship this year GL did not win for a second straight season. Scotch Plains-Fanwood won the Watchung Division last year at 9-3, while GL tied Summit for second place, each with 8-4 division records.

The last time GL lost was on May 21, 2024 at Scotch Plains-Fanwood 6-5 in eight innings in Watchung Division play.

The Highlanders will begin their 2026 season with a 34-game winning streak that dates back to their 2024 campaign.

"What pitchers such as Michael Liloia and Aidan Feldman did on the mound for us this year was also a big part of our success," Roof said.

A GOOD CAST IS WORTH REPEATING

Gov. Livingston Highlanders (28-0):

23-Zach Geertstma, junior, shortstop

10-Michael Novotny, junior, first baseman

17-Michael Basile, junior, catcher

28-Anthony DeNora, senior, third baseman

20-Ryan Pappas, junior, left fielder

12-Alex Adornato, senior, right fielder

8-Matty Diskin, senior, designated hitter

4-Reid Bazydlo, junior, second baseman

25-Dom Labisi, junior, center fielder

6-Keith Mann, junior, pitcher

2025 GROUP 2 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BASEBALL

AT WOOD-RIDGE ATHLETIC COMPLEX

N2 West Morris (20-11) 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 - 1 6 1

CJ Gov. Livingston (28-0) 0 0 0 6 0 0 x - 6 8 2

WP: Keith Mann (10-0). LP: Nick Rotundo.

SINGLES: West Morris - Donovan Veletto, Jake Novello, Kelly Morgan. GL - Michael Basile, Alex Adornato (2), Michael Novotny, Ryan Pappas, Matty Diskin, Zach Geertsma, Dom Labisi.

DOUBLES: West Morris - Cooper North (2), Jake Novello.

GOV. LIVINGSTON IN THE GROUP 2 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:

2025 (28-0): Gov. Livingston 6, West Morris 1 - at Wood-Ridge Athletic Complex

Head coach: Chris Roof, who now has 505 career wins, 5th most of any Union County coach

2024 (28-5): Gov. Livingston 3, Pascack Valley 0 - at Veterans Park, Hamilton

Head coach: Chris Roof

2015 (28-6): Gov. Livingston 10, Bernards 4 - at Toms River South

Head coach: Chris Roof

2011 (26-6): Gov. Livingston 8, West Essex 2 - at Toms River North

Head coach: Chris Roof

2006 (17-9): Hanover Park 8, Gov. Livingston 0 - at Toms River South

Head coach: Chris Roof

1999: Gov. Livingston 4, Gateway 2 - at East Brunswick Tech

Head coach: Bill Howard. Assistant: Chris Roof.

UNION COUNTY BASEBALL TEAMS THAT FINISHED N0. 1 IN NJ THIS CENTURY:

2025: Gov. Livingston Highlanders (28-0) - Group 2 state champions

2013: Cranford Cougars (25-1) - Group 3 state champions

2002: Union Farmers (26-3) - Group 4 state champions

GL IS FIRST UNION COUNTY SCHOOL TO REPEAT AS STATE CHAMPS

SINCE CRANFORD DID SO IN GROUP 3 IN 2012 AMD 2013:

2025: Gov. Livingston Highlanders, (28-0), Group 2

2024: Gov. Livingston Highlanders, (28-5), Group 2

2013: Cranford Cougars, (25-1), Group 3

2012: Cranford Cougars, (22-4), Group 3

Follow JR Parachini on 'X' @parachini_jr

Matty Diskin once again supplied a big hit with his 2-run single in fourth inning to follow Ryan Pappas's 2-run hit and GL wsa well on its way to completing its undefeated season.