Tag: Chris Roof

by Mike Pavlichko

Geertsma, Roof look back at a remarkable baseball season at Governor Livingston: state champions, done to perfection

Like any recipe, there can be a lot of ingredients. When they blend together well, the resulting meal can be delicious.

And that’s a good way to describe the 2024 baseball season for Governor Livingston.

There were tense moments, some easy wins, injuries and other obstacles, but in the end, a mix of great players – starters and otherwise – along with excellent coaching saw them finish their 2024 season 28-0. The won everything they could: the Union County Conference Watchung Division pennant at 11-0, the UCC Tournament, the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 2 sectional title, and the state Group 2 championship.

With an unblemished record, they were the first public school to go run the table in 44 years, since Pennsville did it in 1981, going 25-0 and also winning Group 2. Pennsville was the first NJSIAA baseball team to ever finish with a perfect record, and Governor Livingston is the latest.

Governor Livingston baseball team celebrating after winning the NJSIAA Group 2 state championship, posing with a trophy and a banner on the field.
The Governor Livingston baseball team after beating West Morris, 6-1, to win the NJSIAA Group 2 championship at the Wood-Ridge Athletic Complex on June 16, 2025. (Submitted photo)

Almost half of their wins – 13, to be exact – were via shutout, and they held 18 teams to two runs or less.

Three pitchers with at least 20 innings thrown had an ERA under 2.00.

And their UCC Tournament run? They won the title without allowing a single run.

On Saturday, September 6, junior shortstop Zach Geertsma and head coach Chris Roof stopped by the Central Jersey Sports Radio broadcast booth to talk to Mike Pavlichko at halftime of the Highlanders’ game against New Providence.

Click below to listen to the interview!