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MKA Baseball Coach Retires
With 510 Wins In 32 Seasons

By Steve Tober
for sidelinehatter.com

MONTCLAIR- It really doesn’t seem that long ago when Ralph Pacifico began coaching Montclair Kimberley Academy baseball. He was not really that far removed from his days as a standout wide receiver for the football team at the University of New Haven which was followed by a brief stint in the Philadelphia Eagles pre-season camp.

He had always loved playing football, basketball and baseball and had been a 3-sport star at Immaculate Conception in Montclair.

When he took the reins of the Cougars diamond squad back in 1991, he had no idea that it would be the beginning of a terrific marriage with a certain private high school sports program in Montclair, while he and wife Amy began their own special journey together that still blossoms today with three daughters, one of whom married one of Pacifico’s former players this past spring.

And, while the past 32 years have rolled by in rapid fashion it finally just feels right for the longtime MKA diamond mentor to call it a coaching career.

“It’ time,’ said the longtime MKA teacher and coach. “I just feel that I have accomplished what I’ve wanted to and it will be good now for someone else to guide the program.

“I’ve been very fortunate to coach some terrific kids through he years and have had great assistant coaches and it’s time for a change.”

One of those assistants, Michael Sasso, who comes from a family of baseball coaches dating back more than a generation, has been named the ‘interim’ head coach for the 2024 season.

“Coach Sasso is a tremendous choice to step in and guide MKA baseball next spring,” said Pacifico. “He has a great baseball background and has been a valuable assistant for me to count on the past six years.”

Pacifico finishes his coaching career at MKA with a record of 510-326-1 after passing Glen Ridge’s Lou Calderone (507-199, .718) last spring. Seton Hall Prep's legendary head man Mike Sheppard, Jr. (846-232-6, .785) is still active and leads all Essex County coaches in victories by a wide margin.

Pacifico reached the coveted 500-win plateau this past April 4th with a 5-4 conference win against local rival Glen Ridge at the Cougars spanking new artificial turf diamond behind the middle school on Valley Road.

“I’m just happy that it was over in the second game of the season, and we could all just concentrate on our young team that we had last spring,” said Pacifico. “They battled back so hard in our season opener (16-9 loss at Bloomfield) in a game where we trailed 9-0 and then cut the lead to 10-9, but that’s baseball.”

Baseball is just what it’s been for more than three decades of his life which has included highlights such as three appearances in the NJSIAA Non-Public B state finals (1997 as the runner-up to Red Bank Catholic, 2002 vs. Bishop Eustace and 2009 vs. St. Rose) and was selected as The Star-Ledger’s Essex County Coach of the Year in 1997.

The 2002 team was led by then future major leaguer Frank Herrmann, who led the Cougars into the semifinals of the Greater Newark Tournament where he hooked up in a pitching duel with SHP’s own future big leaguer Rick Porcello.

Hermann followed his collegiate career at Harvard by pitching four seasons in the ‘bigs’ with the Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Phillies.

Charlie Kaplan, longtime MKA teacher Leon Shade (Rutgers), Frank’s brother Max Herrmann, who excelled as a reliever at Rutgers; MKA’s new interim head coach Mike Sasso (William Paterson University), and others such as last spring’s pitching and hitting standout Jack Amirata (Gettysburg), are just a handful of the outstanding Cougar ball players through the years that Pacifico coached.

More recently there was the thrilling prep B tournament championship achieved in May of 2022 with a very young Cougars diamond squad staging a stunning upset of heavily-favored Rutgers Prep in the final that was contested at Diamond Nation.

The family has always been there for him. Early in his career his late dad, Ralph, Sr, was a fixture at each and every game.

Wife Amy has been there all along as well. She had been a longtime teacher in West Orange and is now working with the afterschool program at MKA’s primary school on the Brookside campus where her husband has been a physical education teacher for the past three decades.

The couple’s oldest daughter, Paige married former MkA pitcher Nick Masterson last May, while Emma is now in the working world and Geena is a student at James Madison University.

All told, it’s been a great run for the father, the coach and the friend of so many at MKA and on the North Jersey high school and college sports scene.

“I’ve enjoyed coaching all the players and teams I’ve had at MKA, and each season had its own unique story which is all part of the journey for a coach,” said the longtime Cougar diamond mentor. “I’ll miss the camaraderie and the competition, but it’s also nice to know that it’s been a great run.”

Pacifico had a health scare two years ago when he had to have a heart valve replacement, but he is well beyond that now.

“My health is good and I’m making sure to watch my diet and everything else one should,” he added. “I’m very thankful each day. and I enjoy more than ever spending quality time with family and friends.

“Just being here at MKA to enjoy this time, with all my friends of all ages through these years has been just priceless. And, I have so much more in life to look ahead to, that’s for sure!”

AD Announces Appointment Of Sasso To Coaching Post

“The MKA Department of Athletics is pleased to announce that Mike Sasso (’12) has been appointed interim head baseball coach for the 2024 season,” said MKA Athletic Director Todd Smith. “Coach Sasso brings a wealth of baseball knowledge to the position as he played for the Cougars from 2009-2012 and continued his career at Iona College and William Paterson University.

"He has been the assistant varsity baseball coach for the past six years, and is a full-time faculty member at the Primary School. He is also one of the co-founders and coaches for the Iron9 Baseball Club with former teammate and MKA alumni Max Herrmann ’12.

“Coach Sasso’s excitement and vision for the future of the MKA Varsity Baseball team bodes well as he will lead the team into the 2024 season. Coach Sasso’s enthusiastic approach, knowledge of baseball, and his rapport with students made him an ideal candidate for the head coaching position.”

"I am happy to be a part of such an amazing organization, community, and school like MKA,” said Sasso. “I am beyond grateful and blessed for the opportunity to become the next head coach of our baseball program. I am looking forward to working with our athletes, leading our program, and beginning a new chapter for MKA baseball.”

“With his first-hand experience of what it takes to compete and succeed at both the high school and college level, we are confident that Coach Sasso will have an immediate impact on our baseball program and we look forward to an exciting season ahead,” Smith added.

NJ High School Baseball Coaches All-Time Victories List

x-Indicates coach is active
900 WINS
x-Ken Frank, Toms River South – 929-338-3 (.733)

800 WINS
x-Mike Sheppard, Jr., West Orange/Seton Hall Prep – 846-232-6 (.785)
Marty Kenny, Christian Brothers Academy – 832-349 (.704)

700 WINS
Tony Ferrainolo, Memorial (WNY) – 754-208 (.784)
Harry Shatel, Morristown – 752-326 (.698)
x-Sam Tropiano, St. Augustine/Bishop Eustace – 748-268-1 (.736)

600 WINS
Rich Bender, Delran – 672-349 (.658)
Lee Ware, Woodstown – 671-414 (.618)
Bob Brewster, Westfield – 655-342-3 (.657)
Ray Korn, Elizabeth – 651-308-1 (.679)
Gordon LeMatty, Union – 641-272-4 (.702)
Norm Hewitt, Bridg. West, Bridgewater, Hillsborough – 631-326 (.659)
Frank Salvano, St. Joseph (Mont.) – 630-184-1 (.774)
Mike Zadroga, Dickinson/NBergen/HCath/CtyPrp – 611-254 (.706)
Russ Spicer, Hadd., Moortwn, Paulsb, Cinn. – 603-287 (.678)

500 WINS
x-Kurt Hommen, Ridgewood – 595-278-1 (.682)
Joe Kasberger, St. Benedict’s Prep – 593-137-3 (.812)
x-Rich Horan, Audubon – 592-231-3 (.726)
x-Tim Byron, Glen Ridge/Montclair/Old Tappan – 559-364-4 (.606)
Joe Urbanovich, St. Peter’s Prep – 580-272 (.681)
Andy Greener, Ewing – 561-244-5 (.697)
John Ponchak, Ramsey – 555-342 (.619)
x-Dennis Barth, Gloucester Catholic – 552-115-1 (.828)
Bob Carcich, Emerson – 539-233 (.698)
Joe Cervino, Paramus – 538-284-2 (.648)
Butch Servideo, Lyndhurst – 524-265-1 (.664)
Tom Gambino, Immaculata – 522-133-1 (.797)
Jack Fletcher, Columbia – 522-227 (.697)
Ralph Cobb, Old Tappan/Rutherford – 522-321 (.619)
Bill Frank, Toms River East – 520-279-2 (.651)
Mike Hogan, St.M(J.C.)/St. Anthony/Marist/Ferris – 519-427 (.549)
Champ Atlee, Lawrenceville – 519
Gary Sarno, Camd. Cath., CH West, Hamm., Paul VI – 512-317 (.618)
John Brunelli, Cliffside Park – 511-239 (.681)
Ralph Pacifico, Montclair Kimberley – 510-325-1 (.611)
Lou Calderone, Glen Ridge – 507-199 (1971-’90; 93-98; 00-01) (.718)
Dave Martin, Cherry Hill East – 502-286 (.637)

400 WINS
x-Dennis McCaffery, Cranford – 498-143 (.777)
Barry Cook, St. John Vianney – 481
Mario Diez, Watchung Hills – 476-253 (.653)
x-Brian Giallella, Notre Dame/Steinert – 474-131 (.783)
Jerry Battaglini, Newark Central/East Side/Columbia – 473-310 (.604)
Rob Christ, Gateway/Eastern – 469-203 (.698)
Brian Gibney, Shawnee – 469-210 (.691)
Tom Trotman, Cherry Hill West – 467-234-1 (.666)
John Sheppard, Morristown Beard – 467-261 (.641)
Ted Jarmusz, W.Orange/Monmth Reg – 465-295 (.612)
Clary Anderson, Montclair Acad./Blair/Montclair -464-154 (.751)
John Fitzpatrick, South River – 463-197 (.702)
x-John Sheppard, Morristown Beard – 462
Buddy Matthews, Hoboken – 459-234 (.662)
x-Jim Maher, Florence/Ham.West/Nottingham/Lawrence – 450-196 (.697)
x-Chris Roof, Millburn/Gov. Livingston – 448-179-1 ) (.715)
x-Bill Alvaro, Jr., Williams/Wash. Twp./Kingsway – 445-222-1 (.667)
Phil Baccarella, Bayonne – 440-162 (.731)
x-Tom Carney, Lakewood/St. Jos. Hamm./Delsea/Buena – 430-203 (.679)
Scott Runkel, Bishop Ahr – 430-270-1 (.614)
Joe Policastro, Highland Park – 429
Pete Hall, Ridge – 423-215 (.663)
Vince Ardery, Notre Dame (Law.) 421-178 (.703)
Rick Sabol, Somerville – 420-298 (.585)
x-Pat Laguerre, St. Peter’s Prep – 413-196 (.678)
Pete Crandall, Park Ridge – 408
Larry D’Zio Jr., Jackson Memorial – 407
John Bush, Washington Twp. – 406-191-1 (.680)
Todd Schmitt, Wall – 403-173 (.700)
Bill Haessler, Cherokee – 403-224 (.648)
Marty Flynn, Ham. West – 403
x-Gary Herron, Moorestown Friends/Riverside -402-312 (.563)
Rich Giallella, Steinert – 401-111 (.783)
Bill Lampeter, Livingston – 401

300 WINS
x-Bruce Shatel, Roxbury/Delbarton – 396-152-2 (.723)
x-Vinnie Bello, Marist/Pope John – 389-240-1 (.618)
Brandon Flanagan, River Dell – 385-168 (.696)
Rich Veth, Middletown North, 378-189-2. (.667)
Lou Urbano, JFK-Iselin/St. Jos.(Met.)/Woodbridge – 375
Fred Kampf, Shore Reg. – 374-211-3 (.639)
x-Greg Trotter, Roxbury – 373-254 (.595)
x-Joe Drulis, Notre Dame (Law.) – 371-146-2 (.718)
Scott Illiano, West Essex/Caldwell/Wayne Hills – 365-206-1 (.639)
John Mazzo, North Bergen/Passaic Valley – 365-347-1 (.513)
Frank Malta, Johnson Reg./Jackson – 364-168-1 (.684)
Greg Butler, Demarest/Don Bosco Prep – 361-153 (.702)
Craig Mensinger, Ocean City – 360-345-7 (.511)
x-Brian Anderson, Shawnee – 357-176 (.670)
Mickey Hunt, Ramapo – 357-182 (.662)
Tom Bujnowski, Bayonne – 354-178 (.665)
Al Radano, Gloucester Catholic – 351-101 (.777)
x-Dave Pasquale, Newark Academy, Gill St. Bernards – 347-228 (.603)
Ted Schelmay, Toms River North – 346-181-2 (.657)
Jon Block, Freehold/Point Pleasant Beach: 345-319 (.520)
Bob Bickel, Haddonfield – 341
Joe Lang, Pitman – 340-161 (.679)
Jake Landfried, Manasquan: 338-172 (.663)
Brian Boyce, North Bergen/Manalapan – 337-215 (.611)
x-Jeff Falzarano, Bridg East/WatchHills/Bernards – 336-315-3 (.516)
Mike Raymond, Hunterdon Central – 335-115-1 (.744)
Stan Liptzin, Lakewood – 334-183 (.646)
Joe Konn, Bloomfield – 333-234-3 (.587)
Bernie Goldwater, Sthrn/Freehold/Freehold Township – 331-190 (.635)
Roy Hallenbeck, Millville – 330-194-1 (.630)
Chuck Rooney, Cherokee/Eastern – 329-221 (.598)
x-Larry Santowasso, Rutgers Prep – 327-264-1 (.553)
Joe Yurko, Westwood – 324-235 (.580)
Al Kunzman, Central Regional – 324
Hal Lorme, Rumson-Fair Haven – 323
x-Mike Bylone, St. Augustine – 319-105 (.752)
x-Frank Clark, Midland Park – 319-168-3 (.655)
Bill Chesney, Manchester Reg./Elmwood Park/Ramsey – 312-237 (.568)
Jack Lynch, Cedar Grove – 311-155 (.667)
Walter Serad, Delsea – 310-182 (.630)
Marty Flynn, Hamilton West – 308
Ed Klimek, Teaneck – 307-410 (.428)
Chuck Dougherty, Middle Township – 305-246 (.554)
Buddy Hausmann, Red Bank Catholic – 303-111-1 (.732)
Frank Elias, Morris Knolls – 303-202-7 (.600)
x-John Passero, Hawthorne – 301-213-2 (.586)
Bill Donoghue, Moorestown – 300-201 (.599)

200 WINS
x-DJ Gore, Highland -295
x-Glenn Fredricks, Freehold Borough/Spotswood – 293-179 (.621)
x-Mike Policastro, Bloomfield – 293-269 (.521)
Mike Lepore, Sr., Cedar Ridge/South River – 291
Mike Lepore, Jr., South River – 288-309-2 (.482)
x-Ron Gavazzi, Bayley-Ellard/Montclair – 286-193-4 (.597)
x-Pete Mueller, Montgomery – 285-240 (.543)
Bob Harbison, Nutley – 284-188 (.602)
Rick Doppler, Northern Burlington – 284-192 (.597)
x-Vinnie Abene, Edison – 282-238 (.542)
x-Ken Harrison, Hopewell Valley – 278-168 (.623)
x-Carmen Spina, Rutherford – 277-124-2 (.691)
x-Dan McMaster, Cherry Hill West – 276-140-1 (.663)
Jim Muldowney, Edison – 275-75 (.786)
x-Jeff Hoover, Wayne Valley – 271-173 (.610)
Fred Cole, Old Bridge – 270-210 (.563)
x-Tom Blackwell, Ridge – 267-184 (.592)
x-Brian Chapman, Millburn – 266-82 (.764)
x-Brian Nice, Allentown – 266-142-2 (.652)
Phil Fiore, Lenape – 265-204 (.565)
Tony Surace, Millville – 262-170-4 (.606)
Dan Dalesandro, Pitman – 260-167 (.609)
Mike Novak, Sayreville – 257-241-2 (.516)
Jim Sickinger, Kearny – 256
Ed Rieger, St. James/Pennsville – 253-71 (.781)
Bill Giglio, Ridge – 251-107 (.701)
Frank Tracey, Seton Hall Prep – 251-117 (.682)
Steve Paolini, Holy Cross – 250-132 (.654)
Jerry Smith Sr., JFK-Islin – 248-119 (.676)
Jack Mott, Parsippany – 243
x-Joe Smith, Williamstown/Delsea – 239-115-1 (.675)
x-Mike Rooney, Don Bosco Prep – 238-75 (.760)
Fr. Stephen Kilcarr, Seton Hall Prep – 226-112-3 (.668)
x-Mike Carcich, Wood-Ridge – 226-159 (.608)
Brian Fleury, Delbarton – 223-63 (.780)
Joe Hartmann, Eastern – 223-178 (.556)
Del Dal Pra, Henry Hudson/Ocean Twp./Red Bank – 221-103 (.682)
x-Mickey Ennis, Nwk.Acad./Madison/Livingston – 220-168 (.567)
x-Rich Hans, Wildwood – 220-315-3 (.414)
Dennis Hulse, St. Mary (Ruth.) – 212-89 (.704)
Jim Hunt, Englewood/Tenafly – 210-83 (.717)
x-Marc Petragnani, Cherokee – 209-142 (.595)
Chris Hoffman, Sterling – 205-191 (.524)
Mike Carter, Bloomfield – 204-130-1 (.611)
x-Chris Banos, Dunellen/Somerville – 203-105 (.659)
x-Barry Galasso, Camden County Tech – 200-353 (.362)
Coaches with .700 or Better Winning Percentage (Min. 100 wins)

There are 37 coaches on the list below with a .700 winning percentage or better, topped by the great Dennis Barth of Gloucester Catholic, who has won at an .828 pace.

x-Dennis Barth, Gloucester Catholic – 552-115-1 (.828)
Joe Kasberger, St. Benedict’s Prep – 593-137-3 (.812)
Tom Gambino, Immaculata – 522-133-1 (.797)
x-Kevin Cuozzi, Hunterdon Central – 129-35 (.787)
Jim Muldowney, Edison – 275-75 (.786)
x-Mike Sheppard, Jr., West Orange/Seton Hall Prep – 846-232-6 (.785)
Tony Ferrainolo, Memorial (WNY) – 754-208 (.784)
x-Brian Giallella, Notre Dame/Steinert – 474-131 (.783)
Rich Giallella, Steinert – 401-111 (.783)
Ed Rieger, St. James/Pennsville – 253-71 (.781)
Brian Fleury, Delbarton – 223-63 (.780)
x-Dennis McCaffery, Cranford – 498-143 (.777)
Al Radano, Gloucester Catholic – 351-101 (.777)
Frank Salvano, St. Joseph (Mont.) – 630-184-1 (.774)
x-Brian Chapman, Millburn – 266-82 (.764)
x-Mike Rooney, Don Bosco Prep – 238-75 (.760)
x-Mike Bylone, St. Augustine – 319-105 (.752)
Clary Anderson, Montclair Acad./Blair/Montclair -464-154 (.751)
Mike Raymond, Hunterdon Central – 335-115-1 (.744)
x-Sam Tropiano, St. Augustine/Bishop Eustace – 748-268-1 (.736)
x-Ken Frank, Toms River South – 929-338-3 (.733)
x-Buddy Hausmann, Red Bank Catholic – 303-111-1 (.732)
Phil Baccarella, Bayonne – 440-162 (.731)
x-Rich Horan, Audubon – 592-231-3 (.726)
George Zanfini, Belleville – 156-59 (.726)
x-Bruce Shatel, Roxbury/Delbarton – 396-152-2 (.723)
Lou Calderone, Glen Ridge – 507-199 (1971-’90; 93-98; 00-01) (.718)
x-Joe Drulis, Notre Dame (Law.) – 371-146-2 (.718)
Jim Hunt, Englewood/Tenafly – 210-83 (.717)
x-Chris Roof, Millburn/Gov. Livingston – 448-179-1 ) (.715)
Mike Zadroga, Dickinson/NBergen/HCath/CtyPrp – 611-254 (.706)
Marty Kenny, Christian Brothers Academy – 832-349 (.704)
Dennis Hulse, St. Mary (Ruth.) 212-89 (.704)
Vince Ardery, Notre Dame (Law.) 421-178 (.703)
Gordon LeMatty, Union – 641-272-4 (.702)
John Fitzpatrick, South River – 463-197 (.702)
Greg Butler, Demarest/Don Bosco Prep – 361-153 (.702)
Bill Giglio, Ridge – 251-107 (.701)
Todd Schmitt, Wall – 403-173 (.700)

*Coaches all-time victory list is provided courtesy of Bob Behre of Diamond Nation

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Ralph Pacifico earned his 500th coaching victory vs. Glen Ridge in April of 2023 and was joined after game by family members including, from left, daughter Paige, wife Amy, daugher Geena and son-and-law Nick Masterson. The longtime Cougar head diamond mentor exits the scene with 510 wins. Seton Hall Prep's Mike Sheppard, Jr., who is still active. tops Essex coaches with 846 wins. (Photos courtesy of MKA Athletics)

MKA Baseball Coach Retires With 510 Wins In 32 Seasons

MKA Baseball Coach Retires
With 510 Wins In 32 Seasons