Back.. for the moment

Yeah, it's been a while since I checked in. What can I say? Not much happening on the high school softball scene between July and March. But here's a little something of note that came in:

Voorhees outfielder Jeanette Ragucci has accepted a "Athletic Grant in Aid" from Seton Hall University to play softball next year.

Ragucci, who is a senior at Voorhees, hit .333 as a junior last season, with 15 stolen bases.

Cheer up, it's almost spring.

Happy holidays to all, in case I don't check in again 'till April.

Tarulli-Fisher story published

The feature story on former Ridge catcher Jackie Tarulli-Fisher ran in today's Courier News (July 11).

You can also check it out at http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070711/SPORTS02/707110364

Be on the lookout

STORY ALERT: I've been working on a story on former Ridge standout Jackie Tarulli-Fisher, who has been starring for DePaul University for the past two years and helped the Blue Demons to the College World Series this season.

The story will appear in the Courier News sometime over the next week or so.

Also in the works is a story on former Voorhees star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Michelle Smith and the work she's been doing in trying to restore softball as an Olympic sport.

Look for that piece later this summer.

All-State Teams Due Out Wednesday

The 2007 Associated Press All-State softball teams will be released Wednesday, look for it in Thursday's Courier News and online at www.c-n.com.

Softball beat writers from around the state were asked to submit nominations last week for the 2007 team, here are the players I nominated for consideration:

Capri Catalano, Sr., RHP, Governor Livingston

Jen Lapicki, Sr., C, Immaculata

Sam Pellechio, Sr., SS, North Hunterdon

With regret

Due to an error on my part, two very deserving players were accidentally left off All-Area.

Jillian Lusk of Scotch Plains-Fanwood and Nicole Sgromolo of Delaware Valley both made the team as honorable mention. But because they were the two final cuts among the final candidates for the first three teams, I accidentally failed to move their names to the honorable mention list once I had made my decision on the top three teams as I did for every other position.

My sincerest apologies -- and congratulations -- to Jillian, Nicole, and their families.

Today's the Day

The 2007 Courier News Spring All-Area section is out.

For non-subscribers, grab your copy at your local news stand. It is not available online today.

PART 7: PITCHERS

This is the seventh installment of a seven-part blog-series highlighting the candidates for the 2007 All-Area softball teams.

BLOG SCHEDULE
LAST SATURDAY – First basemen
LAST MONDAY – Second baseman
LAST TUESDAY – Shortstops
LAST WEDNESDAY – Third basemen
LAST THURSDAY – Outfielders/Designated hitters
YESTERDAY – Catchers
TODAY – Pitchers
TOMORROW, Sunday, 6/24 – The 2007 Courier News All-Area team hits the street.


Pitching wins ball games, and that is even truer in softball. Without a good hurler in the circle, teams have virtually no chance at success on the varsity level, and this year was no different. Both pitching and – to a lesser extent – hitting stats were considered for pitchers. And, once again, expect to see a pitcher or two appear in a designated hitter or utility spot on the top three teams.



THE CANDIDATES
(Players listed alphabetically by last name)


STAT KEY: SHO = Shutouts; NH=No-hitters; ERA=Earned runs allowed per 7 innings; K/7=Strikeouts per 7 innings; AvgVs=Batting average against

DANI ACCARDI, Sr., Mount St. Mary
Pitching Stats: 22-2, 13 SHO, 3 NH, 0.45 ERA, .153 AvgVs., 8.49 K/7
Hitting Stats: .538 avg., 9 2BH, 4 3BH, 4 HR, 29 RBIs
Upside: Dominant in the circle and at the plate. Was the complete package in leading MSM to the Skyland Raritan crown.
Downside: Her numbers came against the Raritan and Valley Divisions of the Skyland Conference. Didn’t play an out-of-conference schedule, though we’ll give MSM athletic director/coach Denise Materia a break on the scheduling since the Raritan and Valley Divisions teams not only had to play everyone in their own division twice, but also the teams in the other division two times. That doesn’t leave much room on the schedule for non-conference opponents.


LINDSAY BROWN, Sr., Westfield
Pitching Stats: 11-7, 5 SHO, 1.67 ERA, .203 AvgVs, 9.51 K/7
Hitting Stats: .281 avg., 3 2BH, 3 3BH, 1 HR, 9 RBIs
Upside: Great pitching numbers. Walked just 1 batter per 7 innings while striking out 9.5.
Downside: Her pitching numbers probably should have been better considering some of the opponents Westfield got to face. Her hitting stats were fair at best. Westfield was upset in the county tournament and was eliminated in the first round of states.


NICOLE CARAVANO, Sr., Union Catholic
Pitching Stats: 12-9, 2.04 ERA, .265 AvgVs., 6.21 K/7
Hitting Stats: NA
Upside: Decent pitching numbers. Not great. Walked just 0.74 batters per 7 innings, which is outstanding.
Downside: ERA and batting average against were fairly high.


ALEX CARISONE, Fr., Rutgers Prep
Pitching Stats: 16-4, 1.53 ERA, .275 Avg.Vs, 7.47 K/7
Hitting Stats: .400 avg., 6 2BH, 1 HR, 17 RBIs, 15 SB.
Upside: Very good hitting stats, and it is not often a pitcher steals as many as 15 bases. Her pitching numbers were also very good, overall, for the Prep B state champs and Somerset County Tournament quarterfinalists.
Downside: Her batting average against was rather high, plus Rutgers Prep’s schedule wasn’t exactly suffocating.


JENNA CARMON, Jr., Hunterdon Central
Pitching Stats: 14-6, 5 SHO, 1.17 ERA, .292 Avg.Vs., 4.09 K/7
Hitting Stats: .363 avg., 4 2BH, 4 3BH, 1 HR, 12 RBIs
Upside: Great control, walking just five batters in 143 2/3 innings. Emerged as Central’s ace during a 17-game winning streak. Was winning pitcher in semifinals and final of Hunterdon/Warren Tournament.
Downside: Very high batting average against -- but made up for that with lack of walks. Did not strikeout a lot of batters, relying on the Red Devils’ defense to make plays. Hitting stats were good, but not great.


CAPRI CATALANO, Sr., Governor Livingston
Pitching Stats: 24-1, 19 SHO, 4 NH (1 perfect), 0.14 ERA, .077 Avg.Vs., 18.95 K/7
Hitting Stats: NA
Upside: The state’s all-time strikeout leader had mind-blowing numbers across the board. Allowed just six runs all season – three earned – and averaged just under 19 strikeouts per game – two less than the 21 outs a pitcher must get in a regulation contest. Won a Group II state title. Threw four no-hitters, including a perfect game in the Group II state semifinals. Shall I continue?
Downside: Did not hit.


ELORA DANIELE, Jr., Montgomery
Pitching Stats: 16-5, 1.34 ERA, .201 Avg.Vs., 8.23 K/7
Hitting Stats: .406 avg., 4 2BH, 3 3BH, 3 HR, 19 RBIs
Upside: Her pitching numbers are excellent, especially her strikeout numbers against a tough Skyland Delaware schedule. Pitched Montgomery to the Skyland Delaware East Division title. Her hitting numbers are stellar, especially against the Cougars’ schedule. The fact she drove in 19 runs while hitting leadoff half the season is also impressive.
Downside: Walked 62 in 131 innings, which is obscenely high. Some of her numbers were overshadowed by some of the other hurlers in the conference. Was blasted for eight runs in a first-round state tournament loss to East Brunswick – a significant upset -- and failed to return the Cougars to the county final.


LYDIA DEMARTINO, Jr., Watchung Hills
Pitching Stats: 9-11, 6 SHO, 0.95 ERA, .167 AvgVs., 7.8 K/7
Hitting Stats: .286 avg., 4 2BH, 2 3BH, 2 HR, 6 RBI
Upside: Excellent ERA and batting average against, nice strikeout numbers, too.
Downside: Tended to lose her cool and meltdown when things didn’t go her way in the circle. Sub-.500 record for a team that didn’t make the state tournament, though you gotta give the Warriors somewhat of a break playing in the Skyland Delaware. Her hitting stats weren’t terrible, but they weren’t great.


JOSIE DENNY, Sr., Dunellen
Pitching Stats: 17-6, 2.38 ERA, 0.333 Avg.Vs., 6.73 K/7
Hitting Stats: .450 avg.
Upside: Nice batting average. Won 17 games.
Downside: Dunellen won a share of the GMC Gold with its offense. Denny’s pitching stats were not great, especially against a Group I and Gold Division schedule, but it was enough with the Destroyers’ bats – including her own – behind her. She gave up a lot of hits and a lot of walks, though she did get her share of strikeouts.


LAUREN FITZSIMMONS, Jr., Bridgewater-Raritan
Pitching Stats: 18-6, 8 SHO, 2 NH (1 perfect), 1.04 ERA, 1.81 AvgVs., 11.17 K/7
Hitting Stats: .269 avg., 4 2BH, 0 3BH, 4 HR, 14 RBI
Upside: Arguably the most dominant pitcher in the Skyland Conference, she was downright unhittable when she was focused and had everything working. Struck out a ton of hitters and walked just over 1 batter per game.
Downside: Sometimes lost focus when facing adversity in the circle, which turned harmless hits into big innings for the opposition. Hitting stats were not good, overall, but she did come up with several clutch hits – including a couple of longballs -- in big spots for the Panthers.


ALI FREEDMAN, Sr., North Hunterdon
Pitching Stats: 10-5, 1.54 ERA, .260 AvgVs., 4.41 K/7
Hitting Stats: NA
Upside: Stepped up down the stretch to emerge as the Lions’ ace and pitched North to its second straight sectional title. Walked a phenomenally low 0.56 batter per seven innings.
Downside: Wasn’t dominant in terms of strikeouts, and her .260 batting average against is a bit high. A victory over Hunterdon Central with the conference title on the line would have given her a nice leg up.


LINDSAY GIBBONS, Jr., RIDGE
Pitching Stats: 11-14, 1.72 ERA, .275 Avg.Vs, 3.06 K/7
Hitting Stats: NA
Upside: Posted a respectable ERA, especially against the Delaware Division. Walked a mere 0.75 batters per 7 innings.
Downside: Had a losing record and a high batting average against. Struck out just 3.06 hitters per 7 innings.


JENNA GONZALEZ, Jr., North Hunterdon
Pitching Stats: 11-2, 1.48 ERA, .161 avgVs, 7.82 K/7
Hitting Stats: NA
Upside: Got off to a hot start before an injury forced her into a limited role for North. Great pitching numbers across the board.
Downside: Did not pitch in the state tournament.


MICHELLE JENSEN, Sr., Delaware Valley
Pitching Stats: 23-6, 11 SHO, 1.34 ERA, .231 avgVs., 9.16 K/7
Hitting Stats: .292 avg., 6 2BH, 17 RBI
Upside: Solid overall numbers. Won 23 games and pitched Del Val to sectional final. Threw 11 shutouts and struck out 9.16 per 7 innings. Hitting numbers are decent.
Downside: Failed to win the big game and got knocked around by some of the better teams she faced – not that her defense did her any favors, especially in the county semifinals against Central.


LINDSAY LEHMAN, Jr., Somerville
Pitching Stats: 14-7, 2.72 ERA, .276 avgVs, 8.2 K/7
Hitting Stats: .333 avg., 4 2BH, 3 3BH, 1 HR, 12 RBIs
Upside: Hitting stats are better than her pitching stats. Remained Somerville’s ace, even with the arrival of highly touted transfer Lindsey Ciresa. Won 14 games and struck out 8-2 per 7 innings. Walked just 0.89 per 7 innings.
Downside: Her ERA was extremely high, while her batting average against wasn’t too impressive, either. While her hitting stats are solid, they aren’t good enough to set her apart.


JEN LITTLE, Sr., South Plainfield
Pitching Stats: 19-8, 5 SHO, 1.30 ERA, .265 avgVs., 6.33 K/7
Hitting Stats: NA
Upside: Solid numbers, overall. Won 19 games, while several of her 8 losses were the product of poor defensive play behind her. Her five shutouts against fairly solid competition is also impressive.
Downside: Her ERA is not as good as some of the top pitchers in the area, while her batting average against, strikeouts per 7 and walks-allowed – 1.30 per 7 – doesn’t separate her from the pack.


BRIANNE MAHONEY, Sr., Scotch Plains-Fanwood
Pitching Stats: 14-8, 2.13 ERA
Hitting Stats: NA
Upside: Won 14 games for a good Raiders team.
Downside: Her ERA was high, plus Scotch Plains-Fanwood didn’t win anything.


MEGAN McINAW, Jr., Hillsborough
Pitching Stats: 9-11, 3 SHO, 1 NH, 1.71 ERA, .235 avgVS, 9.21 K/7
Hitting Stats: .349 avg., 4 2BH, 0 3BH, 2 HR, 10 RBI
Upside: Another total package. Her pitching numbers were more than solid across the board, despite a sub-.500 record. Hitting numbers are good batting cleanup for the Somerset County Tournament finalists. Single-handily beat Mount St. Mary 2-1 in the SCT quarterfinals, pitching a three-hitter and smacking a two-run first-inning homer to account for Hillsborough’s runs.
Downside: Her ERA and walks-allowed were a bit high, especially compared to some of the other candidates, while her hitting stats were solid, but not excellent. Hillsborough failed to win a title and were ousted in the first round of the state tournament after barely sneaking in at the cutoff.


KAITLYN PIAZZOLLA, Jr., Immaculata
Pitching Stats: 11-8, 6 SHO, 0.66 ERA, .135 avgVs., 7.00 K/7
Hitting Stats: .323 avg., 3 2BH, 1 3BH, 2 HR, 15 RBI
Upside: Also a part-time catcher, her pitching numbers are phenomenal. Walked just 0.71 per 7 innings, while pitching the Spartans to their first Somerset County Tournament championship since 2000. Was an offensive threat in the middle of the Immaculata batting order, hitting behind Jen Lapicki. Delivered a key sacrifice bunt in the county final to set up the game-winning squeeze.
Downside: Lost eight games, though she gets a partial pass due to the level of competition and the fact that Immaculata didn’t score a lot of runs as a team. Couldn’t find a way to beat Mount St. Dominic and advance to the sectional final, as she gave up four runs. She also lost a lot of head-to-head battles with some of the conference’s other great hurlers.


CAITLIN ROSS, Sr., New Providence
Pitching Stats: 17-3, 14 SHO, 5 NH (3 perfect), 0.73 ERA, .131 avg.Vs, 12.15 /7
Hitting Stats: .492 avg., 4 2BH, 4 3BH, 7 HR, 31 RBI.
Upside: Her hitting stats are just as impressive as her pitching stats for the Mountain Valley Conference Valley Division champions.
Downside: Her numbers came against a Valley Division schedule. New Providence failed to make any noise in the state tournament.



DON’T FORGET TO PICK UP THE COURIER NEWS TOMORROW, SUNDAY, JUNE 24, WHEN THE 2007 ALL-AREA TEAMS WILL BE REVEALED!!

PART 6: CATCHERS

This is the sixth installment of a seven-part blog-series highlighting the candidates for the 2007 All-Area softball teams.

BLOG SCHEDULE
LAST SATURDAY – First basemen
LAST MONDAY – Second baseman
LAST TUESDAY – Shortstops
LAST WEDNESDAY – Third basemen
YESTERDAY – Outfielders/Designated hitters
TODAY – Catchers
TOMORROW – Pitchers
SUNDAY 6/24 – The 2007 Courier News All-Area team hits the street.


Like shortstop, there is also a ton of top-notch talent at the catching position. While there are plenty of quality players whose numbers would have made them legitimate candidates for a spot on one of the top three teams had they played another position, I left a lot of them off this list simply because their numbers don’t compare to the other catchers I have listed. But that doesn’t mean they won’t make All-Area as an honorable mention. Once again, don’t be surprised to see some of these players make a team as in a DH or utility spot.



THE CANDIDATES
(Players listed alphabetically by last name)



HEATHER BERGMAN, Sr., Governor Livingston
Stats: .435 avg., 7 2BH, 1 3BH, 3 HR, 18 RBI
Upside: Not only did she call the pitches for the state’s all-time strikeout leader -- Capri Catalano – but she was also the spark atop the batting order for the Group II state champs. Great average and pretty good power numbers, especially for a leadoff hitter. Also, not only did she strikeout just three times all season, but she failed to get at least one hit in just three of the Highlanders’ games.
Downside: You could make a case her numbers should have been better against a Group II schedule.


LAURA DUBELL, Sr., Piscataway
Stats: .408 avg., 9 2BH, 0 3BH, 1 HR, 11 RBI
Upside: Nice batting average and a good amount of doubles against a Group IV schedule.
Downside: Overall, her numbers do not compare favorably to some of the other talent at the position. Piscataway struggled, overall, winning just three games.


ERICA GAETA, Jr., Hunterdon Central
Stats: .421 avg., 1 2BH, 3 3BH, 4 HR, 15 RBI
Upside: Very nice average, especially against the competition Central played. Four homers is impressive.
Downside: Overall extra-base hit numbers are kind of low. Several players have better numbers against the same conference schedule.


MEGAN KREYLING, Jr., Dunellen
Stats: .521 avg., 56 R, 12 2BH, 5 3BH, 4 HR, 49 RBI
Upside: Led Middlesex County in runs scored and RBIs, while the rest of her numbers are just as excellent.
Downside: Once again, you’ve got to take some of these stats with a grain of salt, considering Dunellen played in the GMC Gold.


JEN LAPICKI, Sr., Immaculata
Stats: .493 avg., 10 2BH, 2 3BH, 3 HR, 16 RBI
Upside: Great average, nice power totals. Had several big hits for the Spartans during their run to the Somerset County title, including a big home run in the semifinals to get Immaculata going. Scored the winning run in the championship game.
Downside: RBI totals are kind of low, even if Immaculata managed just 4.2 runs per game.


HEATHER MENDEZ, Sr., Ridge
Stats: .410 avg., 11 2BH, 3 3BH, 9 HR, 31 RBIs
Upside: Great numbers across the board, especially against a Skyland Delaware schedule.
Downside: Ridge failed to make the state tournament.


LYNSEY ROSS, Sr., New Providence
Stats: .417 avg., 3 2BH, 1 3BH, 0 HR, 12 RBIs
Upside: Nice batting average, knocked in 12 runs hitting first and second for the MVC Valley Division champs.
Downside: Power numbers are unimpressive. New Providence played in the Valley Division.


ALEX RUSSOMAGNO, Jr., Mount St. Mary
Stats: .470 avg., 7 2BH, 1 3BH, 0 HR, 11 RBIs
Upside: Excellent batting average for the Raritan Division champs. Came within a foot of a game-tying home run in the seventh inning of the Somerset County Tournament quarterfinals.
Downside: Power numbers and RBI total is lacking, especially for someone hitting down in the order on a team that scored a ton of runs against an unimpressive schedule.


ANGELA SESSA, Jr., Union Catholic
Stats: .458 avg., 6 2BH, 0 3BH, 0 HR, 18 RBIs
Upside: Great average, nice RBI total.
Downside: Outside of a lofty average, the rest of her numbers aren’t anything to write home about. Team didn’t do much in the county or state tournaments.

Part 5: Outfielders/Designated hitters

This is the fifth installment of a seven-part blog-series highlighting the candidates for the 2007 All-Area softball teams.

BLOG SCHEDULE
LAST SATURDAY – First basemen
LAST MONDAY – Second baseman
LAST TUESDAY – Shortstops
YESTERDAY – Third basemen
TODAY – Outfielders/Designated hitters
TOMORROW – Catchers
SATURDAY – Pitchers
SUNDAY 6/24 – The 2007 Courier News All-Area team hits the street.



THE CANDIDATES
(Players listed alphabetically by last name)


OUTFIELDERS

KATIE ABRUZZO, So., Westfield
Stats: .328 avg., 13 R, 4 2BH, 2 3BH, 0 HR, 14 RBI
Upside: Solid numbers. Played for a quality team.
Downside: One would expect better numbers considering some of the Blue Devils’ Watchung Conference opponents. Unimpressive power numbers


DIANA ARK, Sr., Ridge
Stats: .464 avg., 23 R, 2 2BH. 1 3BH. 0 HR, 5 RBI, 10 SB
Upside: Great average, especially when you consider the kind of pitching she saw all year in the Skyland Delaware East. Nice number of stolen bases.
Downside: Power and run-production numbers are not very good.


MEGAN BOYLE, Sr., South Plainfield
Stats: .354 avg., 20 R, 7 2BH, 1 3BH, 2 HR, 19 RBI
Upside: Solid average and a nice RBI count. Seven doubles is very nice, too, playing for the GMCT and North 2, Group III runners-up.
Downside: Not a ton of pop. Had as many strikeouts as hits – 20.


TORY BREEN, So., Mount St. Mary
Stats: .398 avg., 29 R, 4 2BH, 3 3BH, 5 HR, 16 RBI
Upside: Great balanced numbers across the board for the Skyland Raritan champs, especially for a sophomore.
Downside: Played in the shadow of Dani Accardi and Alyssa D’Addio.


KELLY CALAMIA, Jr., Dunellen
Stats: .423 avg., 52 R, 27 RBI, 28 SB
Upside: Some of her numbers are mind-boggling for a team that scored a ton of runs and shared the GMC Gold Division title.
Downside: You would think she’d hit for a better average against Gold Division competition, especially considering the number of runs and RBIs she tallied.


KELLY CIANCIOTTA, So., Scotch Plains-Fanwood
Stats: .587 avg., 23 R, 6 2BH, 5 3BH, 8 HR, 13 RBIs, 21 SB, .620 OBP
Upside: Fantastic power numbers, phenomenal average and 13 RBIs out of the leadoff spot is very impressive. A .620 on base percentage and 21 stolen bass, what more can one ask for from the top of the order? Oh, and she’s only a sophomore.
Downside: Scotch Plains-Fanwood failed to win a title of any kind and was upset in the county tournament.


MEGHAN EVERETT, Jr., Hunterdon Central
Stats: .425 avg., 28 R, 2 2BH, 7 3BH, 7 HR, 28 RBI
Upside: A first teamer as a sophomore, she had another stellar year for the Hunterdon/Warren Tournament and Skyland Delaware West champs. Great overall numbers, especially when you consider the quality of competition. Great power and RBI numbers for anyone -- let alone a leadoff hitter.
Downside: Trying to remember there’s an “H” in her first name can be problematic.


NICOLE KOSZOWSKI, Fr., Governor Livingston
Stats: .380 avg., 5 2BH, 4 3BH, 9 HR, 29 RBI
Upside: Solid batting average, fantastic power and RBI numbers for a freshman batting cleanup for the state Group II champions.
Downside: Struck out 16 times. Could have, and probably should have, batted for a better average against a Group II schedule.


CAROLINE MERCK, So., Gill St. Bernard’s
Stats: .445 avg.
Upside: Hit .445.
Downside: Did it for Gill St. Bernard’s, which won just three times all year


HILARY MURRAY, Jr., North Hunterdon
Stats: .323 avg., 19 R, 2 2BH, 0 3BH, 0 HR, 10 RBI
Upside: Scored 19 runs atop the North batting order. Had several big hits for the North 2, Group IV champions.
Downside: Power numbers aren’t great.


CASEY NIPER, Fr., Montgomery
Stats: .322 avg., 11 2BH, 1 3BH, 0 HR, 7 RBI
Upside: Batted for a solid .322 as a freshman for the Delaware East champs.
Downside: Did not produce many runs. Eleven doubles are nice, but that’s it as far as extra-base hits.


MITCHEL ROBERTSON, Sr., Governor Livingston
Stats: .423 avg., 19 R, 3 2BH, 4 3BH, 2 HR, 20 RBI
Upside: Great batting average and pretty good power numbers hitting third for the state Group II champs. Also stole nine bases. Had a nice bounce-back season after making first team as a sophomore and tanking last year.
Downside: You’d like a little more pop from your No. 3 hitter.


KRISTEN SHEFT, So., Rutgers Prep
Stats: .406 avg., 25 R, 3 2BH, 3 3BH, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 38 SB
Upside: Solid offensive numbers across the board for the Prep B state champs. Stole a ton of bases. Is only a sophomore.
Downside: Rutgers Prep didn’t exactly play a tough schedule. You would like an even higher average against that kind of competition.


LAUREN SINGER, Sr., Hillsborough
Stats: .341 avg., 4 2BH, 1 3BH, 0 HR, 5 RBI
Upside: Batting average is solid against the pitchers of the Delaware Division, especially in the East Division.
Downside: Power numbers weren’t anything to write home about. Hillsborough barely finished about .500.


MELISSA SOUCEK, Sr., Timothy Christian
Stats: .453 avg.
Upside: Hit .453 for Timothy Christian, which made the state tournament in its first year of eligibility.
Downside: Timothy Christian played a Non-Public B schedule.



DESIGNATED HITTERS


ANU RIMAL, Sr., MONTGOMERY
Stats: .358 avg., 15 R, 8 2BH, 1 3BH, 3 HR, 24 RBIs
Upside: A very good average in the Skyland Delaware, she hit eight doubles, a triple and three homers for the East Division champs, driving in 24.
Downside: With positions like shortstop, pitcher and catcher so deep, it’s going to be tough for her to crack one of the top two teams as a DH.


ERIN SCIALABA, Jr., Westfield
Stats: .395 avg., 24 R, 2 2BH, 2 3BH, 6 HR, 24 RBI
Upside: Her batting average is more than solid for a Group IV school, has some nice power and RBI numbers.
Downside: Her numbers pale in comparison to some of her teammates, plus Westfield didn’t win any major titles.


KRISTEN TITUS, Sr., Immaculata
Stats: .356 avg., 4 2BH, 0 3BH, 0 HR, 10 RBIs
Upside: Solid average against Delaware Division pitching.
Downside: The rest of her numbers are unspectacular, even for a leadoff hitter

PART 4: Third basemen

This is the fourth installment of a seven-part blog-series highlighting the candidates for the 2007 All-Area softball teams.

BLOG SCHEDULE
LAST SATURDAY – First basemen
LAST MONDAY – Second baseman
YESTERDAY – Shortstops
TODAY – Third basemen
TOMORROW – Outfielders/Designated hitters
FRIDAY – Catchers
SATURDAY – Pitchers
SUNDAY 6/24 – The 2007 Courier News All-Area team hits the street.



THE CANDIDATES
(Players listed alphabetically by last name)



KELLY DOWNES, Sr., South Plainfield
Stats: .380 avg., 18 R, 11 2BH, 1 3BH, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 13 E
Upside: A nice average and extra-base hit numbers. Team went to county and sectional final.
Downside: 13 errors is a ton. While her numbers are solid, there are players with better or comparable totals against better competition at the position.


KELLY MARCHISIO, Jr., New Providence
Stats: .448 avg., 15 R, 5 2BH, 2 3BH, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 5 E
Upside: Great average, solid extra-base hit numbers. Drove in a nice amount of runs for MVC Valley Division champs.
Downside: New Providence won eight games by 10-run mercy rule, while racking up many of its other victories against less-than-stellar competition. Was not among top 1 or 2 players on her team, statistically.


CYNDIL MATTHEW, So., Westfield
Stats: .642 avg., 34 R, 11 2BH, 2 3BH, 8 HR, 34 RBI, 2 E
Upside: Her numbers are excellent across the board.
Downside: While Westfield played plenty of solid competition, the Blue Devils also fattened up against the punching bags of the Watchung Conference.


LACEY NEMERGUT, Fr., Rutgers Prep
Stats: .460 avg., 17 R, 1 2BH, 1 3BH, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 19 SB
Upside: Great batting average and 19 stolen bases made her a fixture on the bases for the Prep B champions and Somerset County Tournament quarterfinalists.
Downside: Poor power and RBI numbers. Poor schedule.


MICHELLE PAKENHAM, JR., DUNELLEN
Stats: .415 avg., 50 R, 2 HR, 34 RBI, 24 SB, 3E
Upside: Fifty runs scored is a mind-boggling statistic, even if one’s team scored 325 runs and averaged 12 runs pre game. Her 34 RBIs and 24 stolen bases were also impressive. Made just three errors.
Downside: Played a schedule stacked with tech schools, and won 12 games by the 10-run mercy rule. Destroyers were 10-runned by the only legitimate team on the schedule.


MOLLY WARD, Sr., North Hunterdon
Stats: .325 avg., 10 R, 5 2BH, 14 RBI, 9 E
Upside: Her batting average is respectable, considering the teams North played.
Downside: Nine errors is a lot, plus she doesn’t compare, statistically, with the other players at the position, even if you consider her schedule vs. the other players.


KATIE WATTS, Jr., Ridge
Stats: .352 avg., 15 R, 4 2BH, 3 3BH, 3 HR, 12 RBI
Upside: Solid average and good power numbers for a team that played in the Skyland Delaware.
Downside: Ridge didn’t make the state tournament. Had a couple of other players on her team whose numbers eclipsed her own.

Part 3: Shortstops

This is the third installment of a seven-part blog-series highlighting the candidates for the 2007 All-Area softball teams.

BLOG SCHEDULE
LAST SATURDAY – First basemen
YESTERDAY – Second baseman
TODAY – Shortstops
TOMORROW – Third basemen
THURSDAY – Outfieldesr/Designated hitters
FRIDAY – Catchers
SATURDAY – Pitchers
SUNDAY 6/24 – The 2007 Courier News All-Area team hits the street.


Shortstop is probably the deepest position, overall, so a lot of players who had good numbers and would have normally been considered serious candidates for a first-third team spots were only considered for honorable mention, and were thus not listed here. Don’t be surprised to see a couple of these players show up as a DH or a utility player on one of the teams.


THE CANDIDATES
(Players listed alphabetically by last name)


ALYSSA D’ADDIO, Sr., Mount St. Mary
Stats: .598 avg., 31 R, 49 H, 9 2BH, 9 3BH, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 4 E
Upside: Mount St. Mary’s all-time hits leader batted .545. And though, I’m sure, it was inflated against the likes of North Warren, South Hunterdon and Manville, even if you knock 20 percent off her numbers, they’re still very impressive. Had a ton of extra-base hits and slugged 1.000. Made just four errors.
Downside: Her numbers have to be deflated somewhat because of some of the less-than-impressive competition on the Mount Lions’ schedule.


ARIELLE GRAPSTEIN, Sr., Pingry
Stats: .529 avg., 13 2BH, 1 3BH, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 8 E
Upside: Drove in 25 percent of Pingry’s runs, hit an astonishing .529, 13 doubles led the area. The unquestioned MVP of the Big Blue.
Downside: Her number also have to be deflated somewhat because of her team’s less-than-impressive schedule, plus the Big Blue did not have a great year, though they did make the state tournament.


CHRISSY GRAZIANO, Sr., Delaware Valley
Stats: .393 avg., 26 R, 6 2BH, 2 3BH, 2 HR, 20 RBIs, 4 E
Upside: Very nice average, solid extra-base hit numbers, good number of RBIs and just four errors for the Central Jersey Group II finalists.
Downside: Schedule wasn’t great. Team didn’t do much against the better pitchers it faced.


JENNY HARABEDIAN, So., Hunterdon Central
Stats: .400 avg., 21 R, 40 H, 5 2BH, 7 3BH, 6 HR, 28 RBI, 9 E
Upside: Fantastic offensive numbers across the board against top-notch competition. Team won the bi-county tournament and its conference crown.
Downside: Made nine errors. Numbers were great, but there are several shortstops whose numbers were even better.


LIZ MILLER, So., Dunellen
Stats: .479 avg., 9 2BH, 4 3BH, 1 HR, 42 RBIs, 2K, 8 E
Upside: Great offensive numbers. Struck out just twice all season. Team won co-championship of GMC Gold Division.
Downside: Team plays in the GMC Gold Division. Made eight errors. Was third-best player on her team.


SHAUNA MULKERIN, Fr., Immaculata
Stats: .411 avg., 2 2BH, 0 3BH, 1 HR, 12 RBIs, 4 E
Upside: Had a nice little season, especially for a freshman, and hit .411 against a Skyland Delaware schedule. Made just four errors after moving to shortstop because of injury to Caitlin Bay. Team won Somerset County Tournament.
Downside: Other than her average, the rest of her numbers aren’t very impressive, especially compared to some of the other players at the position.


SAM PELLECHIO, Sr., North Hunterdon
Stats: .545 avg., 33 R, 10 2BH, 1 3BH, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 4 E
Upside: Last year’s Player of the Year had another phenomenal season for the North Jersey, Section 2, Group IV champions. Her numbers are stellar across the board. She tied her own school record for hits in a season with 48.
Downside: Slumped in the state tournament and went hitless in North’s two final games.


KATHERINE STOLTENBERG, Sr., Montgomery
Stats: .449 avg., 25 R, 9 2BH, 4 3BH, 0 HR, 16 RBIs, 9 SB, 13 SAC, 7 E
Upside: The all-time hits leader for the Skyland Delaware East champions finished with 100 for her career. Hit an impressive .449 against a tough schedule, including nine doubles and four triples. Drove in 16 runs hitting second. Stole nine bases and notched 13 sacrifices.
Downside: Seven errors are a bit high. Her numbers would make her a prime first-team candidate at another position, but with the depth at shortstop, she will probably have trouble cracking first team.


BRITTANY WARGO, Sr., New Providence
Stats: .456 avg., 21 R, 7 2BH, 3 3BH, 1 HR, 20 RBIs, 3 E
Upside: Good numbers across the board. Made just three errors. New Providence went 19-3 and won its conference.
Downside: Even at face value, her numbers don’t compare to some of the big guns at the position. Plus, when you consider the Pioneers play a Group II and Valley Division schedule, the numbers look even less impressive.

PART 2: SECOND BASEMEN

This is the second installment of a seven-part blog-series highlighting the candidates for the 2007 All-Area softball teams.

BLOG SCHEDULE
LAST SATURDAY – First basemen
TODAY – Second baseman
TOMORROW – Shortstops
WEDNESDAY – Third basemen
THURSDAY – Outfielders/Designated hitters
FRIDAY – Catchers
SATURDAY – Pitchers
SUNDAY 6/24 – The 2007 Courier News All-Area team hits the street.



THE CANDIDATES
(Players listed alphabetically by last name)



TARA ALBERSE, Sr., New Providence
Stats: .340 avg., 28 R, 1 2BH, 1 3BH, 0 HR, 7 RBIs, 0 E
Upside: Hit a respectable .340 for the Mountain Valley Conference Valley Division champions and scored 28 runs. New Providence scored victories over some quality opponents, including Roselle Park (twice) and Union Catholic. Played a flawless second base, committing no errors.
Downside: Though New Providence lost just three games and went to the semifinals of the Union County Tournament, the Pioneers’ strength of schedule was fair, at best. Alberse managed just two extra-base hits and drove in just seven runs.


BRITTANY BROWN-WEBSTER, Sr., Delaware Valley
Stats: .435 avg., 22 R, 4 2BH, 5 3BH, 1 HR, 10 RBIs, 9 E
Upside: The Terriers’ leadoff hitter hit .435, including four doubles, five triples and a homer. Had several big hits in the state tournament as Delaware Valley went to the sectional final.
Downside: Delaware Valley didn’t play that many good teams, and didn’t perform well against those it did. Nine errors is a ton.


GINA CAPRIGLIONE, Sr., Mount St. Mary
Stats: .418 avg., 7 R, 0 2BH, 3 3BH, 1 HR, 21 RBIs, 1E
Upside: A nice batting average and an impressive error and RBI total for a team that lost just twice and went undefeated in its conference.
Downside: Low number of extra-base hits for someone hitting in the middle of the order, plus you have to take some of her numbers with a grain or salt considering the quality of competition isn’t as good as some of the other players at the position.


STEPHANIE FALZARANO, Sr., South Plainfield
Stats: .400 avg., 28 R, 4 2BH, 1 3BH, 0 HR, 14 RBIs, 2 E
Upside: Had nice numbers across the board for a team that went to the final of the GMC Tournament and its section. Only made two errors, which is highlighted by the fact Tigers pitcher Jen Little did not strikeout a ton of hitters, putting the ball in play quite a bit.
Downside: Low extra-base hit total and her average, while solid, is not as high as some of the other players at the position.


ALYSSA LOCOCO, So., Montgomery
Stats: .312 avg., 8 2BH, 3 HR., 16 RBI, 15 E
Upside: Eight doubles and three homers are some nice power numbers for a sophomore second baseman. Montgomery won the Skyland Delaware East.
Downside: Low batting average and 15 errors are hard to ignore, but she’s only a sophomore, so her best days are probably ahead of her.

PART 1: First Basemen

This is the first installment of a seven-part blog-series highlighting the candidates for the 2007 All-Area softball teams.

BLOG SCHEDULE
TODAY – First basemen
MONDAY – Second baseman
TUESDAY – Shortstops
WEDNESDAY – Third basemen
THURSDAY – Outfielder/Designated hitters
FRIDAY – Catchers
SATURDAY – Pitchers
SUNDAY 6/24 – The 2007 Courier News All-Area team hits the street.



THE CANDIDATES
(Players listed alphabetically by last name)


LINDSAY DURANT, Jr., Bridgewater-Raritan
Stats: .355 avg., 13 R, 6 2BH, 1 3BH, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 4 E
Upside: Bridgewater-Raritan’s No. 3 hitter led the team in batting and tied Lauren Fitzsimmons for the team lead in RBIs. Was the offensive anchor on a team that won a program-best 20 games and finished second in an ultra-competitive conference.
Downside: While she boasts some of the better numbers from among first basemen, and she played a first-class Skyland Delaware and Group IV schedule, it was a down year, offensively, for the Panthers. B-R also didn’t win any major championships, nor did they beat any quality opponents in the state tournament.


KAYLEE FRY, Jr., Bound Brook
Stats: .329 avg., 11 R, 7 2BH, 3 3BH, 0 HR, 10 RBIs, 3 E
Upside: Had a nice little year with seven doubles and three triples, and a respectable .329 average. Made just three errors at first base.
Downside: Doesn’t really compare, statistically, with the other players at the position, plus the Crusaders won just 10 games in an awful conference.


LAUREN FRY, Sr., South Plainfield
Stats: .390 avg., 24 R, 12 2BH, 1 3BH, 2 HR, 24 RBIs, 3 E
Upside: Struck out just once all season, which is amazing, and drove in or scored 25 percent of all the runs South Plainfield tallied all season. The Tigers went to the GMC and sectional finals.
Downside: Did not play quite as tough a schedule as some of the other candidates, as South Plainfield won eight games by nine runs or more.


JOELLE JACOBSEN, Sr., Hunterdon Central
Stats: .391 avg., 16 R, 5 2BH, 2 3BH, 1 HR, 20 RBI, 5 E
Upside: Her .391 batting average is no joke, as the Red Devils play in one of the toughest conferences in the state, as well as playing, perhaps, the most competitive out-of-conference slate in the area. Her 20 RBIs was third on the team, batting from the No. 3 spot for the Hunterdon/Warren Tournament and Skyland Delaware West champs.
Downside: Her power numbers are a little low for a No. 3 hitter, as she managed just eight extra-base hits


JILLIAN LUSK, Sr., Scotch Plains-Fanwood
Stats: .343 avg., 6 2BH, 0 3BH, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 12 SB
Upside: It is unusual for a first baseman to have enough speed to swipe 12 bases. She posted a .987 fielding percentage and hit two homers. Scotch Plains-Fanwood enjoyed mild success, notching the upset of the state tournament over Union County champion Cranford in the sectional quarterfinals before falling to eventual sectional champ JFK.
Downside: Here batting average is decent, at best, and 16 RBIs isn’t that impressive for a team that won 10 games by 10-run mercy rule. The Raiders also didn’t win any major tournaments or their conference, and played a decent, but not overly exciting schedule (see 10 10-run mercy rule victories).


NICOLE RUGGIERO, Sr., Governor Livingston
Stats: .301 avg., 2 2BH, 1 3BH, 4 HRs, 18 RBIs.
Upside: Co-captain of state Group II champions. Hit four homers for a team that didn’t score a lot of runs. Delivered several big hits for the Highlanders.
Downside: Batted just .301 against a Group II schedule and hit eighth in the order. Though she hit four home runs, she managed just two doubles and one triple, which makes me question her ability to drive the ball consistently.


NICOLE SGROMOLO, Sr., Delaware Valley
Stats: .402 avg., 20 R, 5 2BH, 5 3BH, 0 HR. 15 RBIs, 3 E (one in OF)
Upside: Her batting average and low error total are impressive. The Terriers went to the sectional finals before losing 1-0 to Capri Catalano and state Group II champion Governor Livingston, and finished second in the Raritan Division to Mount St. Mary, which ran the table in the conference.
Downside: A low RBI total and a subpar slugging pct., compared to some of the other candidates at the position. The Terriers’ fattened up against some of the pushovers of the Raritan and Valley Divisions, and didn’t face nearly the quality of pitching the others did. Was also not among the top 1 or 2, statistically, on her team in most categories.

Waiting to Exhale

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks.

Between previewing and covering the Group II final, putting together the softball All-Area section, as well as my responsibilities toward my day job, I’ve hardly had time to breathe.

There is nothing a sportswriter agonizes over more than distributing postseason awards and choosing all-star teams, and this was no exception.

There are scores of deserving, quality players in the CN area, and I wish I could reward them all.

As of Thursday evening, finally, I’m all done. The teams have been picked, the stories and charts have been written, and the photos have been taken (well, except for one player who is out of town until next week).

Starting Saturday 6/16, and continuing daily through next Saturday (except for Sunday, 6/17), I will review the top candidates, by position, for the Courier News All-Area team, set for release Sunday, June 24 in the Courier News.

While the first-teamers have already been notified and have come in for their photos, nobody but myself, a couple of coaches who inquired as to their players’ fate, and my colleagues at the Courier News know who has been placed on second and third team and honorable mention.

All-Area, our postseason all star section, encompasses players from the Courier News coverage area, which is all of Somerset County, all of Hunterdon County, as well as Governor Livingston, Westfield, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, New Providence and Plainfield in Union County, and South Plainfield, Middlesex, Piscataway and Dunellen in Middlesex County – a total of 36 high schools.

All-Area will contain a first team, second team and third team, as well as honorable mention. Each team consists of four pitchers, a catcher, a first baseman, a second baseman, a shortstop, a third baseman, three outfielders, a designated hitter (could be from any position), and a utility player.

There are a lot of different criteria I use for choosing these teams other than my own observations over the course of the season, including statistics, input from players’ coaches – as well as opposing coaches – strength of schedule and quality of competition, and a player’s value to her team, among others.

This is not an exact science, and I’m sure there will be plenty of picks – as always – the people will disagree with. All I can say is that I try and do my best and be as objective as possible in making the selections.

The package will also consist of a feature story on the player and coach of the year, a final notebook – containing a year in review, including Freshman of the Year, Game of the Year, Performance of the Year, etc. etc. – as well as final standings and the final Top 10.

For more on the All-Area process, as well as a sneak peak at Player and Coach of the Year, check out the final Bats and Balls podcast, available at www.c-n.com/specialsections/multimedia

BLOG SCHEDULE
TOMORROW – First basemen
MONDAY – Second baseman
TUESDAY – Shortstops
WEDNESDAY – Third basemen
THURSDAY – Outfielder/Designated hitters
FRIDAY – Catchers
SATURDAY – Pitchers
SUNDAY 6/24 – The 2007 Courier News All-Area team hits the street.

One last hurrah

It was a great season of softball in the Courier News Area, but we're not done yet, folks.

While the games have all been played and the final podcast of the season has been recorded and posted, there is one last thing to do -- All-Area 2007.

The teams have been picked, and I will be putting the finishing touches on the softball section over the next few days.

What does that mean for you loyal Inner Circle readers?

Check back here, starting Saturday, as I will begin posting a position-by-position look at the players that are candidates for spots on the All-Area teams.

SATURDAY 6/16 - FIRST BASEMEN
MONDAY 6/18 - SECOND BASEMEN
TUESDAY 6/19 - SHORTSTOPS
WEDNESDAY 6/20 - THIRD BASEMEN
THURSDAY 6/21 - OUTFIELDERS
FRIDAY 6/22 - CATCHERS
SATURDAY 6/23 - PITCHERS
SUNDAY 6/24 - The 2007 Spring All-Area section appears in the Courier News.

Don't Stop Believin'

The 10th and final edition of the season of the Bats and Balls podcast was recorded Monday night and should be posted sometime Tuesday afternoon.

I promise a better payoff than the Sopranos finale (which I loved, by the way).

www.c-n.com/specialsections/multimedia

Gettin' 'er done

Governor Livingston reached the promised land Saturday and took care of business with a 2-0 victory over Pascack Hills to win the Group II championship at Toms River East.

Check out the game story in Sunday's Courier News, or online at http://www.c-n.com/.

Senior righty Capri Catalano struck out 11 in firing a two-hit shutout and walked two. She finishes her brilliant varsity career with a state record 1,346 Ks.

Freshman Nicole Koszowski provided the offensive support with an RBI triple in the fourth inning, and scored the second run on an error on the same play.

Here's the complete box score


GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON (27-1)
Player pos AB-R-H-RBI-BB-K
Bergman C 2-0-0-0-1-1
Lesnewich 3B 2-0-0-0-0-0
Robertson CF 3-1-0-0-0-0
Koszowski LF 3-1-1-1-0-0
Kushner DH 3-0-0-0-0-2
Buonaguro SS 3-0-2-0-0-0
Bennett 2B 1-0-0-0-1-1
Ruggiero 1B 3-0-0-0-0-0
McAdam RF 3-0-0-0-0-0

3B: Koszowski. SAC: Lesnewich, Bennett. SB: Robertson
E: Lesnewich


PASCACK HILLS (23-11)
Player pos AB-R-H-RBI-BB-K
Palish C 3-0-0-0-0-0
Trieble RF 3-0-0-0-0-1
Moppert CF 3-0-1-0-0-2
Smith 1B 3-0-0-0-0-2
Fischer SS 2-0-0-0-1-2
Lomia 2B 3-0-1-0-0-1
Proderick 3B 3-0-0-0-0-2
Haertsch DH 1-0-0-0-1-0
Abate LF 2-0-0-0-0-0

SB: Fischer, Lomia. DP: Proderick
E: Fischer 2


LINE SCORE
GOV. LIVINGSTON 000-200-0--2-3-1
PASCACK HILLS 000-000-0--0-2-2


PITCHING LINES

GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON
Name IP-H-R-ER-BB-K
Catalano (W - 24-1) 7.0-2-0-0-2-11

PASCACK HILLS
Name IP-H-R-ER-BB-K
Mascarelli (L - 23-11) 7.0-3-2-1-1-4

GL-Pascack Hills preview

Check out today's Courier News for a preview on today's Group II final, as well as a feature on Highlanders freshman left fielder Nicole Koszowski.

Podcast up

The Week 9 edition of the Bats and Balls podcast is up and available for your listening pleasure at www.c-n.com/specialsections/multimedia

Bringing it up a notch

As if Capri Catalano had anything more to prove, the Governor Livingston High School senior right-hander took it to a whole new level in Tuesdays semifinals of the New Jersey state Interscholastic Athletic Association Group II final.

In case you missed it, Catalano tossed a perfect game as she struck out the first 20 batters of the game and got the final out on a weak grounder to second base, and the Highlanders advanced to the Group II championship.

GL will face the winner of today's game between Caldwell and Pascack Hills on Saturday. Site and time TBA.

Check out Jerry Carino's game story for all the details in Wednesday's Courier News, or click here.

Reigning Group IV champion North Hunterdon, meanwhile, fell to Clifton 2-0 at Whippany Park, as the Lions' quest for back-to-back crowns was thwarted by the Mustangs.

Jason Sherman was on hand for the game, check out his story here.

For the record, I predicted Governor Livingston to win 4-0, the won 3-0. I picked North Hunterdon to lose 4-2, they lost 2-0.

That oughta help make up for my brutal record in picking county tournament results!

One step from Toms River

Group semifinals are slated for today, with North Jersey, Section 2, Group IV champion and defending state Group IV champ North Hunterdon facing North 1 champ Clifton at 4 p.m. at Whippany Park High School, and Central Jersey Group II champion Governor Livingston facing South Jersey champ Sterling at 3 p.m. at Rancocas Valley.

I've picked one local team to win and the other to lose. Find out which is which, and check out a preview of both game in Tuesday print and online editions of the Courier News.

Click HERE for the GL-Sterling preview.

Click HERE for the North Hunterdon-Clifton preview.


Also, we will be recording a state finals edition of the Bats and Balls podcast Wednesday night. Look for that at www.c-n.com/specialsections/multimedia Thursday afternoon.


Finally, last call for feedback on the upcoming All-Area teams. I have already begun collecting nominations and thoughts from the area's coaches. Contribute your picks and opinions by leaving a comment here.

Moving on and moving out

Governor Livingston won its first, North Hunterdon went back-to-back, South Plainfield couldn't make it three against J.F. Kennedy, and Immaculata and Mount St. Mary fell a game short of their sectional final.

It was sectional final day for the public schools, while the non-public squads played in their sectional semifinals. Here's a look at what went down.


HERE'S TO THE WINNERS:


GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON
The Highlanders took advantage of a first-inning error, and senior right-hander Capri Catalano threw a four-hit shutout, as GL won the first sectional title in program history, 1-0 over Delaware Valley in the Central Jersey Group II final.

Check out Jerry Carino's story in Friday's Courier News, or read it online.

While heartfelt congratulations go out to coach Rick Iacono and the Highlanders, let's face it, they were lucky to come away with a victory.

Governor Livingston might have gotten one monkey off its back by finally winning a sectional crown, but, once again, the Highlanders failed to hit in a big game against a quality pitcher -- they managed just two singles -- and this one could have easily gone the other way if not for the work of Capri Catalano, as well as -- from what I'm told -- some generous umpiring.

Governor Livingston has some quality hitters in its lineup -- Mitchell Robertson, Heather Bergman, Nicole Ruggiero, Nicole Koszowski -- and the Highlanders cannot expect the softball Gods to smile upon them every game. If they don't figure out how to string some hits together in big spots, their tournament is going to end in Tuesday's state semis.

At the same time, kudos to Delaware Valley right-hander Michelle Jensen for a fantastic pitching performance, and you can't fault the Terriers for not being able to get much done against the state's all-time strikeout queen.


NORTH HUNTERDON
It's deja vu all over again for the Lions.

Despite struggling down the stretch in the regular season, including getting upset in the semifinals of the Hunterdon/Warren Tournament, North Hunterdon is back playing the kind of softball that resulted in the state Group IV championship last season.

The Lions pounded out eight runs on 10 hits and junior righty Ali Freedman tossed a one-hit shutout with the defense behind her coming up with several great plays, as North Hunterdon won its second straight North Jersey, Section 2, Group IV crown with an 8-0 victory over JP Stevens.

Check out Jason Sherman's game story in Friday's Courier News, or read it online.

A nice win by North against a team in JP Stevens that caught some breaks in making the final. Things are not going to be so easy in the Tuesday's state semifinal against North 1 Group IV champ Clifton, which beat North 6-0 on April 23.

The Lions are going to need not only another stellar effort by Freedman in the circle, but the big bats like Sam Pellechio, Becca Schaefer and Hilary Murray, among others, are really going to have to be on top of their game against Clifton.



THE END OF THE LINE

Four local teams saw their seasons end Tuesday.

While Delaware Valley put forth a valiant effort in losing 1-0 to Governor Livingston in CJ II, SOUTH PLAINFIELD fell 2-1 to J.F. Kennedy in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group III final.

Check out the game story by Gannett New Jersey's Mark Spivey in Friday's Courier News, or read it online.

Considering South Plainfield had beaten JFK in 2-of-3 meetings this year entering Tuesday's game, including a 1-0 win in last week's GMC Tournament semifinals, this has to be a hard one for the Tigers to stomach.

Still, you gotta give coach Don Panzarella and his team a ton of credit for shaking up their mid-season doldrums to rebound and advance to the finals of the GMCT, as well as their section.

I, for one, definitely wouldn't have expected South Plainfield to be playing in a sectional final after a 7-5 start.


Meanwhile, things did not go well for out local squads in the North Jersey Non-Public A Tournament semifinals, as top-seeded Mount St. Mary fell to Immaculate Heart 3-2, while third-seeded Immaculata was edged by No. 2 Mount St. Dominic 4-3 in eight innings.

IMMACULATA
The Spartans scored three runs in third inning and led 3-0 heading into the fourth. MSD got a run in that frame and two more in the bottom of the sixth to tie it, before scoring the winner in the bottom of the eighth inning.

A tough loss for Immaculata, for sure. It would have made a fantastic story for coach Erica Bell to have led the Spartans back to the sectional final for the first time since she was a senior at Immaculata, especially after she returned them to SCT glory for the first time since 2000.

Still, a great season for Immaculata and a fine job by Bell in her rookie year at the helm.


MOUNT ST. MARY has got nothing to be ashamed of, either.

Not only did the Mount Lions go a perfect 20-0 in their conference, but when you consider that their two losses came to Group IV Hillsborough -- by one run in the counties -- and the other to perennial state powerhouse Immaculate Heart by one run in the sectional semis, coach Denise Materia and friends should stand up and take a bow on a stellar campaign.

Mount St. Mary's season ended Tuesday with a 3-2 loss to the Eagles, as IHA scored three times in the fourth inning. The Mount Lions scored twice in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn't enough.

Another fine performance by senior righty Dani Accardi, who allowed just four hits.



PROGRAMMING NOTES:

Look for previews of the state semifinals in Tuesday's print and online editions of the Courier News, as well as, hopefully, a more in-depth look at those games here on The Inner Circle.

The state finals edition of the Bats and Bals podcast is scheduled to be recorded either Tuesday or Wednesday night. Look for that at www.c-n.com/specialsectionas/multimedia by Thursday afternoon.

ATTENTION COACHES:
I will be contacting most of you by phone or email in the coming week or two as I begin working on the 2007 All-Area softball teams. Get those stats and nominations ready!

ATTENTION FANS:
Please, feel free to chime in with your comments on who you think should be considered for a spot on the teams, as well as your picks for Player of the Year and Coach of the Year.

You can leave your thoughts by commenting on this blog, or I can be reached via email at couriersoftball@aol.com

All-Area will hit the newsstands on June 24.

Checking in on North Jersey Non-Public A

Sure, it’s sectional final day for the public schools, but let’s not forget our non-public teams playing in the sectional semis.

We ran public sectional finals previews boxes, complete with predictions, in today’s Courier News. You can find those here.

You can also listen to a review and preview of the tournament on the Week 8 edition of the Bats and Balls podcast which is up and running at www.c-n.com/specialsections/multimedia


Meanwhile, here is a look at the North Jersey Non-Public A semis:


MOUNT ST. MARY vs. IMMACULATA HEART ACADEMY
Despite being the top seed, Mount St. Mary is not battle-tested against the type of perennial powerhouse that is Immaculate Heart. Could I see the Mount Lions winning? Sure. Anytime you have the kind of quality in the circle Dani Accardi brings, as well as quality clutch bats in Accardi, Alyssa D'Addio, Sam and Alex Russomagno, Gina Capriglione and others, you have a chance. But the toughest opponent MSM faced all season was Hillsborough in the county quarters, and while the Mount Lions played a quality game, they ultimately were denied.
Advanatage: IHA


IMMACULATA vs. MT. ST. DOMINIC
Mt. St. Dominic is another program that has been very successful over the past decade. But Immaculata should be ready. The Spartans play in one of the most competitive conferences in the state, and I don't figure MSD is going to show Immaculata anything it hasn't seen before. With Katelyn Piazzolla and Jen Lapicki wearing Spartans blue, talent won't be an issue. Still, while Immaculata hasn't shown to be invincible, it has shown the ability to win big games in big spots under the most pressured conditions. Rookie coach Erica Bell is no stranger to this tournament, having played in four straight sectional finals during her varsity career, and she has shown that she is willing to make a gutsy call in a big spot. This should be another close one that comes down to a big play late in the game.
Advantage: Immaculata

The winners of these games will face off at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Bellville High School.

Down the Stretch They Come...

Four local teams have advanced to sectional finals in the public school brackets with semifinals victories Tuesday, making for an exciting slate for Thursday's championships.

Leading the pack is the No. 1 seed in Central Jersey Group II, Governor Livingston, which got another sterling pitching performance from Capri Catalano.

The senior righty who finally broke the all-time state strikeout mark after tying it last week, and blanked Shore 1-0, as she allowed just one hits and struck out 21.

Catalano fanned Shore leadoff hitter Ally Roma on three pitches to start the game, breaking the mark of 1,281 set by Freehold Boro's Ashley Forsyth last season.

Catcher Heather Bergman had three hits and left fielder Nicole Ruggiero homered to lead a nine-hit Highlanders' attack, and if GL can keep this offensive output going -- don't forget about the 10-0 win over Roselle Park in the quarters -- this could finally be the year the Highlanders go all the way, or at least win a sectional crown.

GL's win sets up Thursday's game with third-seeded Delaware Valley, which won a wild one with Matawan on Tuesday.

The Terriers had just one hit and trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh before three straight one-out singles loaded the bases. After a strikeout, Brittany Brown-Webster lined a 1-2 pitch the other way, down the right-field line for a two-run double to send Del Val to its first sectional final since 1997.

Michelle Jensen turned in a brilliant performance in the circle, allowing one unearned run and just two hits.

This is the kind of win Delaware Valley needed to restore its confidence. The Terriers struggled a bit down the stretch and looked terrible against Hunterdon Central in the HWT semifinals. If Del Val hopes to win a sectional crown, or more, these are the types of games they're going to have to win.

Governor Livingston will play host to Delaware Valley at 4 p.m. Thursday in Berkeley Heights.

Meanwhile, in North Jersey, Section 2, Group IV, top-seeded North Hunterdon edged fifth-seeded Bridgewater-Raritan 1-0, as Ali Freedman topped Lauren Fitzsimmons in a brilliant pitcher's duel.

Check out Jason Sherman's story in Wednesday's print and online editions of the Courier News for a complete review of the game.

Like Del Val, North also struggled down the stretch and did not look anywhere close to the team that won it all last year in Group IV. By beating Fitzsimmons, who is arguably the best pitcher in the Skyland Conference, it proved North still has what it takes to beat the best, especially a squad that had beaten it earlier this year. The Lions proved they've still got it, not only to their detractors, but to themselves.

North Hunterdon will play host to J.P. Stevens at 4 p.m. Thursday in Clinton Township, as the Lions continue their march toward repeating as state Group IV champions.

In North Jersey, Section 2, Group III, seventh-seeded South Plainfield blasted Mendham 14-1 in five innings to return to the sectional final for the first time since winning the state Group III crown in 2005.

The Tigers got two doubles each from Kelly Downes and Lauren Fry as the pair combined for five RBIs in the victory.

The offense is clicking, pitcher Jen Little is cruising, and the defense that has let South Plainfield down at times this season looks like it's gotten its stuff together. Could the Tigers be in for their third state group title in the past eight years? Stay tuned.

South Plainfield will travel to top-seeded JFK at 4 p.m. Thursday, setting up the fourth meeting of the season between the Tigers and Mustangs -- South Plainfield leads the season series 2-1.

Check out Wednesday's Courier News for a review of Tuesday's action, and make sure to pick up Thursday's edition for previews of all three sectional final games.


Meanwhile, the North Jersey Non-Public A Tournament semifinals are set as two locals got through Tuesday's quarterfinal action, while a third was eliminated.

Third-seeded Immaculata got a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to edge sixth-seeded Paramus Catholic 1-0.

Kaitlyn Piazzolla not only pitched another brilliant game, allowing no runs on two hits, walking none and striking out eight, but the junior delivered the game-winning hit, knocking in Kristen Titus, who had been hit by a pitch to lead off the frame.

Senior catcher Jen Lapicki was right in the middle of the rally, as usual, providing a key hit in the eighth to move Titus into scoring position.

Immaculata will face second-seeded Mount St. Dominic at 4 p.m. Thursday in the semifinals.

Top-seeded Mount St. Mary, meanwhile, blanked St. Dominick 4-0 behind senior right-hander Dani Accardi.

Accardi not only threw a three-hit shutout, but she delivered an RBI double in a three-run third inning for the Mount Lions. Alyssa D'Addio and Gina Capriglione also drove in runs in the frame.

MSM will face fourth-seeded Immaculate Heart in Thursday's semifinals.


Look for a preview of both North Non-Public A games here Thursday.


****

THE DEPARTED

In addition to Bridgewater-Raritan's loss to North Hunterdon and Union Catholic getting bounced by Mt St. Dom's 6-0 in North Non-Public A quarters, four other teams had their run through the state tourney halted Tuesday, including one that had a 17-game winning streak snapped.

No. 8 seed Hunterdon Central, which followed up a 6-6 start by winning 17 straight on its way to the Hunterdon/Warren Tournament championship and the Skyland Conference Delaware West Division title, fell to fourth-seeded Rancocas Valley 3-2 in eight innings of their Central Jersey Group IV contest. Jenna Carmon pitched well again for the Red Devils and did not allow an earned run.

Scotch Plains-Fanwood, which shocked Cranford in the quarterfinals, couldn't get past top-seeded JFK in North 2, Group III, falling to the Hawks 6-0.

In Central Jersey Group I, Middlesex fell to Florence 6-0, while Dunellen was edged by South Amboy 3-2.


****

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
South Plainfield topped JFK 1-0 in eight innings Saturday to advance to Monday's GMC final, where the Tigers fell to Monroe 5-1.


***

PROGRAMMING NOTE:
The Week 8 edition of the Bats and Balls podcast was recorded Tuesday night. Look for it to be posted sometime Wednesday afternoon at www.c-n.com/specialsections/multimedia

THE COUGARS, CAPRI, AND THE GMC

Last fall, when Montgomery coach Johnny Rooney learned that I would be returning as a regular at the Courier News and resuming the softball beat after a two-year absence (I left toward the end of the 2004 season), he told me about the "Simeon Pincus curse." You see, during my absence, Montgomery won a state title and a county crown, after not winning anything since their days as a Group I school in 1999, my first year on the beat.

According to Rooney, now that I was back, he said he felt my presence would doom the Cougars, and after a loss to Hillsborough in the county semifinals, well, I thought twice about disputing his claim even though I'm sure he was kidding. But then Montgomery won the Skyland Delaware East with a victory over Bridgewater-Raritan on Tuesday in a big spot and I was ready to show Rooney that the Pincus Curse was all in his mind.

That was until the second-seeded Cougars got trounced by No. 7 seed East Brunswick 8-1 in Thursday's quarterfinals of the Central Jersey Group IV Tournament.

Perhaps Rooney is on to something.

I am amazed that Montgomery's postseason run ended so unceremoniously.

East Brunswick?

These aren't the same Bears that won state and sectional titles in the early 2000's. This is a squad that got blanked by 11th-seeded Sayreville last week in the GMC tourney as the No. 6 seed.

I guess I underestimated East Brunswick. Or did I overrate the Cougars?

We'll soon find out as East Brunswick faces Manalapan in the semifinals, while eighth-seeded Hunterdon Central, which, as predicted, handled top-seeded Old Bridge on Thursday, battles No. 5 seed Rancocas Valley in the other semi, which is certainly not where we thought the Red Devils would be a few weeks ago.

Speaking of correct predictions for a change, fifth-seeded Bridgewater-Raritan trounced No. 4 Elizabeth 11-0 in six innings Thursday to advance to face top-seeded North Hunterdon in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group IV semifinals, a team the Panthers have already beaten once this season.

Look for a story on that game in next Wednesday's Courier News. If I can't get there, one of my colleagues definitely will.

Elsewhere, Governor Livingston and Delaware Valley both advanced to the CJ II semi, and could face off in the final. South Plainfield and Scotch Plains-Fanwood, meanwhile, both moved on in the North 2 Group III tourney and would face each other in the final if they were to beat Mendham and JFK, respectively Tuesday.

Scotch Plains-Fanwood's victory over UCT champ Cranford on Thursday is the leader in the clubhouse for most impressive victory by a local team so far in the state tournament.

Union Catholic also advanced Thursday, topping Kent Place in the Non-Public A North Tournament, and will face Mount St. Dominic in Tuesday's quarterfinals.

After Bernards, Somerville and Hillsborough checked out in the first round, two more local teams joined Montgomery in leaving the perverbial building on Thursday, as Westfield fell to J.P. Stevens in North 2, Group IV -- a mild upset -- and New Providence was ousted by Matawan in CJ I, a bigger surprise.


CAPRI WATCH HITS ZERO


Governor Livingston senior right-hander Capri Catalano posted 11 strikeouts Thursday and tied Ashley Forsythe's state record of 1,231 career strikeouts as the Highlanders handled Roselle Park 10-0 in six innings in their CJ II quarterfinal.

Check out Friday's print edition of the Courier News for the story, or read it online

Also, make sure to check out Jerry Carino's column on Catalano in Friday's CN. It tells a very interesting and heart-warming tale about how she has overcome a handicap and a childhood disease that nearly killed her to become the most dominant pitcher in state history. Excellent work, as usual, by Jerry.



GMC TOURNAMENT: ONE LOCAL REMAINS

Fifth-seeded South Plainfield advanced to the GMCT semifinal Wednesday by knocking off No. 4 seed Old Bridge 8-4, and will face top-seeded JFK in the semis Saturday. The final is slated for Monday.

Eighth-seeded Dunellen, meanwhile, did not fare very well against JFK, losing 18-0 while getting no-hit.


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The latest Bats and Balls podcast (Week 7, dated, May 22) is up at www.c-n.com/specialsections/multimedia


Enjoy your holiday weekend!

Here We Go!

We've had the build up, now for the payoff

The 2007 NJSIAA Softball Tournament is set to begin today with first-round games. And while most of our locals have a first-round bye, there are some quality games on tap for this afternoon.

The featured contest will be Hillsborough at Colts Neck at 3:45 p.m., as the Raiders look to build on their county tournament success and try to knock off the No. 6 seed.

For a complete look at the state tourney, check out last Thursday's blog, or listen to Week 7 of the Bats and Balls podcast, which was recorded Monday night.

The podcast should be up sometime Tuesday afternoon at www.c-n.com/specialsections/multimedia.

Also included in the podcast is the latest, and hopefully final edition of Helmet-Gate.

Lastly, there are a couple of key regular-season contests coming up this week, including today's showdown between Montgomery and Bridgewater-Raritan, 3:45 p.m. at North Bridge Street Park.

Montgomery is currently one game up on the Panthers in the Skyland Delaware East after a 4-2 victory over Immaculata today, with each team having one other game remaining in conference (Bridgewater at Watchung Hills on Friday, and Montgomery vs. Hillsborough the same day).

The scenarios are simple:
If Montgomery wins, they clinch the conference.
If Bridgewater-Raritan wins, and both teams win or both teams lose their remaining conference game, there is a co-title since they will finish with the same conference record and will have split their head-to-head meetings.
If B-R wins, then beats Watchung Hills, AND Montgomery loses to Hillsborough, the Panthers win the title outright.


Elsewhere, North Hunterdon and Hunterdon Central are tied for first place in the Skyland Delaware West, and each team has two conference games left, including Friday against each other at North.

North Hunterdon will play Voorhees today, which should be an easy win, while Central has Warren Hills next Monday, which should be a Red Devils victory.

That means Friday's game is for all the marbles. Hunterdon Central, which has already beaten North this season, is trying to win its 20th straight conference crown. Yes. You read that right. TWENTIETH!


PROGRAMMING NOTES:

COMING IN WEDNESDAY'S COURIER NEWS: The weekly softball notebook we will take a look at what Governor Livingston needs to do to make a run in the state tournament, as well as an update on the Capri Watch and a roundup of the county tournaments. We'll also have a new Top 10, standings, and the latest Varsity Spotlight.

COMING THURSDAY/FRIDAY MORNING: Check back to The Inner Circle for an update on the state tournament. We'll be looking at the sectional semifinals, and we'll have a better idea of which teams truly will have a shot at a state title.

STATE TOURNAMENT SET

The 2007 New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Softball Tournament brackets were released today and are available for viewing at http://www.njsiaa.org/.

Let's take a look at the brackets containing local teams, shall we?


CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP IV

The Favorite: Montgomery (No. 2 seed) - the Cougars are in for a tough game in the semifinals, but should cruise past whomever they face in the final.

The Darkhorse: Hunterdon Central (8) - The Red Devils got a No. 8 seed here, but remember, they began the season 6-6 and have since won 10 straight. If Central can get by Jackson in the first round, expect a win over top-seeded Old Bridge in the final.

The Sleeper: Hillsborough (11) - The Raiders proved last season that their seed was irrelevant, as they went to the final as a No. 8 seed. Hillsborough will not have an easy path, even in the first two rounds.

Outlook: I expect Hunterdon Central in the final, but there are several teams, including Manalapan, that could come out of the other side of the bracket. Hillsborough has shown it can play with anyone, including Montgomery, when the chips are down. This is Montgomery's first year as a Group IV school, so there could be some growing pains in this tournament.



CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP II

The Favorite: Governor Livingston (1) - I'm going to pretend the Union County Tournament never happened. It's a simple equation for Governor Livingston: Score runs, win a state title.

The Darkhorse: Delaware Valley (3) - The 9-1 loss to Hunterdon Central in the Hunterdon/Warren semifinals last week seems to have knocked the Terriers for a loop. First, Del Val goes out and gets 10-runned by Mount St. Mary on Tuesday, and then barely beats North Warren on Thursday, 2-1. Now is not the time for a slump. If Del Val can focus, expect a trip to the final.

The Sleeper: Roselle Park (9) -- Roselle Park's been through the wars in Union County, and could have something to say if it can get past Governor Livingston in the quarterfinals.

Outlook: Barring an offensive drought of epic proportions, Governor Livingston should waltz into the final. Once there, there are several teams that could give the Highlanders a run, including New Providence. It's not looking like Somerville is going to get past the first round unless junior right-hander Lindsay Ciresa can find the plate, if she's even given the chance.



CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP I

The Favorite: Florence (1) - No mystery there.

The Darkhorse: Dunellen (2) - Should make the final.

The Sleeper: Middlesex (4) - Gonna take a miracle to beat Florence in the semis.

Outlook: Considering there are only four teams in the bracket, this shouldn't be too hard to analyze. Florence is the overwhelming favorite, while I expect Dunellen to win what has essentially become the GMC Gold championship game with South Amboy (the teams split their regular-season meetings and finished tied atop the division).



NORTH JERSEY GROUP IV

The Favorite: North Hunterdon (1) -- Hopefully, for the Lions, they won't take anyone too lightly in this tournament. North has the talent to repeat as state champions, but they're are a marked team and won't be sneaking up on anybody this time around.

The Darkhorse: Bridgewater-Raritan (5) -- The Panthers will 10-run Elizabeth in the quarterfinals, and if they manage to upset North Hunterdon in the semifinals, expect a Bridgewater-Raritan sectional title.

The Sleeper: Union (3) -- The Farmers have been a fickle bunch. Capable of beating a great team one day and losing to a mid-level team the next. Should they beat UCT runners-up Linden in the quarterfinals, a semi against Westfield would be very intersting as the Blue Devils dropped both regular-season meetings with Union, though they beat the Farmers in the UCT quarters.

Outlook: North Hunterdon is clearly the most talented of this group, though it has shown chinks in the armor. With Lauren Fizsimmons in the circle, Bridgewater-Raritan is capable of beating anyone if its firing on all cylinders. A Panthers/Lions semifinal would be, for all intents and purposes, the sectional championship game.




NORTH JERSEY GROUP III

The Favorite: Cranford (4) - The Cougars have shown they are a force to be reckoned with after their performance in winning the Union County title. When you consider Cranford beat Governor Livingston in the UCT semi, and lost in extra-innings to the Highlanders on opening day, and that GL blanked JFK 6-0 earlier this week, well, I don't see anyone stopping the Cougars on their side of the bracket.

The Darkhorse: J.F. Kennedy (1) - JFK was given the top seed in the GMC Tournament for a reason, though I don't see it getting past Cranford.

The Sleeper: South Plainfield (7) -- If South Plainfield's defense can make the plays behind Jen Little, and the Tigers can score some runs, Jen Little is a good enough pitcher to lead South Plainfield to the final.

Outlook: I see this section as Cranford's to lose. Scotch Plains-Fanwood is capable of the upset, but I think the Cougars are in the zone and should handle the Raiders. We're probably looking at Cranford against one of the Morris County teams in the final.



NORTH JERSEY GROUP II

The Favorite: Caldwell (2) - Expect a meeting with Jefferson in the semifinals.

The Darkhorse: West Essex (4) -- If West Essex can get out of the quarterfinals, expect an easy time in the semis.

The Sleeper: Jefferson (6) -- They're still Jefferson, despite the seed.

Outlook: I don't quite know what to make of this section except that Bernards figures to be one and done.


NORTH NON-PUBLIC A

The Favorite: Immaculata (3) -- The Somerset County champs have never won this section. I think this is the year.

The Darkhorse: Mount St. Dominic (2) -- MSD is always good. They're the only squad standing in Immaculata's way to a sectional final.

The Sleeper: Immaculate Heart (4) -- Considering Immaculata fell to Immaculate Heart in the sectional final all four years of Erica Bell's pitching career (1997-2000), I don't know if the Spartans' coach wants to see the Eagles in the final, or if the nightmares leading up to game day would be too much for her to handle.

Outlook: Top-seeded Mount St. Mary fattened up its record against the Raritan and Valley Divisions of the Skyland Conference, but the Mount Lions are not going to find any Manvilles or North Warrens here. Not that MSM isn't talented. With Dani Accardi in the circle and a solid lineup led by Alyssa D'Addio, the Mount Lions definitely have a shot. Union Catholic should cruise in its opening game with Kent Place, but I don't see the Vikings getting past Mount St. Dom's. Pingry could beat St. Dominic in its first-round game, but the Big Blue are not getting past Mount St. Mary. This is the strongest and deepest this section has been in years, but expect whomever wins a potential Mount St. Dom's/Immaculata matchup to win the section.

***

Check out next week's Bats and Balls podcast, which is scheduled to be recorded Monday night and posted Tuesday, for more analysis of the state tournament.

Rain Delay Edition

With the rain pretty much washing out today's slate, it's a good time to look back at some of the headline results of the week so far.

The week's shocker, and we talked about this on the podcast, was in the Hunterdon/Warren Tournament semifinals Monday when top-seeded and defending champ North Hunterdon fell victim to seven errors in an 8-3 loss to fourth-seeded Warren Hills -- just another in a long line of games I've picked wrong in the county tournaments, as I had North going all the way.

What compounded my frustration, as well as those of the Lions, North Hunterdon came back Tuesday with an 8-1 victory over the Blue Streaks, begging the question: Did North take Warren Hills too lightly, perhaps looking past the Streaks toward a potential championship game rematch with Hunterdon Central?

Lesson learned, I hope, with the state tournament set to get started next week.

Another interesting result from Monday was Governor Livingston's 6-0 victory over J.F. Kennedy, which was given the top seed in the GMC Tournament earlier in the day.

The Highlanders' win suggests two things: 1. Union County is stronger the Middlesex County this year; 2. GL's loss to Cranford in the UCT quarterfinals was an aberration.

Look for the Highlanders to get a top seed in the CJ II Tournament and challenge for the sectional title.

Finally, Hillsborough earned a measure of revenge against Immaculata on Tuesday with a 2-1 victory as righty Megan McInaw's two-run homer and strong pitching keyed the Raiders win.

Sure, it's a small consolation for Hillsborough after Saturday's 1-0 loss in the Somerset County Tournament final, but if the Raiders are looking to play spoiler in the race for the Skyland Conference Delaware East title, they bit a huge chunk out of the Spartans' hopes with Tuesday's win.

Immaculata now sits three games behind Montgomery and two behind Bridgewater-Raritan with four conference games left. A long shot, to say the least.


NOTES: Congratulations to Rutgers Prep, which beat Pennington on Tuesday for the Prep B Tournament championship. For the Argos last, who won the title in 2005, this is their third Prep B championship in their history.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: Check back here Thursday for a break down of the NJSIAA Tournament, as the brackets are due for release.

Podcast is Up

The Week 6 edition of the Bats and Balls podcast is up for your listening pleasure, with a special guest appearance.

Check it out at http://www.c-n.com/specialsections/multimedia/index.htm

HELMET-GATE '07 UPDATE: Carino speaks

Courier News staff writer Jerry Carino, who originally bought Helmet-Gate to our attention, reponded today to the question of which fans -- Immaculata's or Hillsborough's -- were jeering Montgomery coach Johnny Rooney during last Wednesday's Somerset County Tournament semifinal at North Branch Park.

Here's Jerry's latest statement:

"I would like the record to show that an OBJECTIVE reporter from another newspaper and a tournament official both have verified that Hillsborough fans taunted Montgomery coach Johnny Rooney as he tried to fix a clearly broken catcher's mask for 10 never-ending minutes in last week's semifinal. However, upon further review I will clarify that it most likely was a MIX of Immaculata and Hillsborough fans who engaged in this poor show of sportsmanship.
I have covered Rooney's team several times over the past four years, including the Cougars' entire run to the Group III title in 2004, and it's true that he makes more trips to the diamond than your average coach -- some strategic, some in the name of gamesmanship.
However, I've been covering high school sports long enough to know poor sportsmanship when I see it, and I saw it in spades at that semifnal. The majority of adults who sat in the bleacher behind home plate that night -- wherever they were from -- should be ashamed of themselves. End of story. "

The saga continues....

GMCT Bracket Set

The Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament was seeded Monday morning, and J.F. Kennedy received the top spot.

Locally, South Plainfield is the No. 5 seed, Dunellen No. 8, Middlesex No. 16, and Piscataway No. 21.

The top seven seeded will have byes in Wednesday's first round, with the Sweet 16 scheduled for Saturday at South Plainfield.

The quarterfinals will be Wednesday, May 23, the semis on Saturday, May 26, and final on Memorial Day, Monday May 28.

Here are the matchups and seeds:

17-Metuchen at 16-Middlesex, winner plays 1-JFK; 24-Cardinal McCarrick at 9-South Amboy; 25-New Brunswick at 8-Dunellen; 21-Piscataway at 12-J.P. Stevens, winner at 5-South Plainfield; 13-Woodbridge at 20-South River, winner at 4-Old Bridge; 14-Carteret at 19-South Brunswick, winner at 3-Monroe; 22-Perth Amboy at 11-Sayreville, winner at 6-East Brunswick; 23-Mother Seton at 10-Edison, winner at 7-Colonia; 18-North Brunswick at 15-Spotswood, winner at 2-Bishop Ahr.

Immaculata squeezes past Hillsborough for SCT crown

The 2007 Somerset County Tournament final was as advertised: Another classic.

The Immaculata and Hillsborough High School softball teams both played an excellent game, and not only did I finally pick a game right, but it came down to what I expected, a big play late in the game.

Due to the Courier News’ ridiculously early Saturday-night deadline, all we were able to get in the paper was a box score. So here’s what you need to know, for those of you who might have missed it.



It was another in a long line of what has become this tournament’s staple: A great pitching duel by two outstanding hurlers, and it’s a pity one of them had to lose.

Immaculata junior right-hander Kaitlyn Piazzolla and Hillsborough junior righty Megan McInaw battled their hearts out, as they both turned in masterful performances at North Branch Park.

The game was decided in the bottom of the seventh inning as Immaculata senior catcher Jen Lapicki scored the winning run in a 1-0 game on a suicide squeeze by senior second baseman Jenna George with one out.

Not only was it a great job by George, as well as Piazzolla who bunted Lapicki to third base after a lead-off double, to get those bunts down, but you gotta give Immaculata rookie coach Erica Bell a ton of credit for making a gutsy call in the biggest of spots.

“I did not have any doubt,” Bell said. “We practiced bunting for so long, and I kept telling them, ‘it’s going to come down to a game where you’re going to need a bunt,’ and this was the game and it was perfectly placed. I said, ‘whatever you do, just put it on the ground.’ She (Lapicki) was going the whole way and it was perfect. I couldn’t have planned it any better.”

Lapicki, who had been held in check by McInaw through the first six innings, led off with a double to left field, as the ball, which was a sinking liner, couldn’t be caught or played on one hop by Hillsborough’s Lauren Singer and went past her and to the fence

McInaw, who had held Lapicki to two weak pop ups in her first two at bats, tried the same approach in her seventh-inning at bat, but this time Lapicki was ready.

“I knew she was coming inside the first ones because of my first couple of bats, and the last one was a little bit over and I just went with it,” said Lapicki, who also admitted she was looking to jack one out of the park if she got the right pitch. “I just wanted a line-drive base hit and let everyone else do their job. I was rounding first and I saw it go by so I just took off.”

“She knew and I knew where they were going to pitch her,” Bell said. “It wasn’t going to be a surprise. I thought they were either going to pitch around her, or they were going to jam her inside. She knew that going up (in the seventh inning) and I think she was smarter this time by getting her hands around. The first two at bats she was just over anxious and Megan (McInaw) did any awesome job by jamming her.”

With Lapicki on second, Piazzolla did a fantastic job sacrificing Lapicki to third as McInaw tried to stay away from the junior. That bought up George, who dropped down a perfect squeeze bunt toward first base on the first pitch she saw. By the time McInaw fielded it and got it to catcher Margaret Gilroy, Lapicki slid across the plate with the game-winning run.

“I was looking for the first pitch, squeeze it or foul it off so I don’t get Jen caught in a run-down and get her out,” George said. “(The pitch) was outside, it was actually a perfect pitch to bunt to first base. The crowd went crazy. It was an adrenaline rush. It was awesome. I waited four years for this.”

McInaw allowed the one run on three hits, she walked none and struck out 12, while Piazzolla earned her seventh victory with a two-hit shutout, two walks and nine strikeouts.

Hillsborough’s golden chance came in the fourth inning as second baseman Courtney Fedor reached on a swinging-bunt single with one out. McInaw followed, and after falling behind in the count 1-2, took advantage of a pitch that stayed over the plate and hit a bullet off the left-field fence for double, putting runners on second and third.

Piazzolla, who jammed her middle finger on her pitching hand while catching in Thursday’s game against Voorhees, admitted that she was having trouble with her breaking pitches. She acknowledged she was being carefull with McInaw, who hit what proved to be a game-winning homer against Mount St. Mary in last week’s quarterfinals, and the junior crushed it.

They were the only two hits Piazzolla would allow, as she stepped up and truly showed her grit. She fanned shortstop Tara Van Doren on a 1-2 fastball away, and struck out third baseman Katie Yard swinging at three pitches to escape the jam, with the deciding offering hitting the exact spot off the outside corner she was aiming for against McInaw.

“It didn’t bother me. I’ve been in situations like that before. I’m used to it,” Piazzolla said. “I know have a great infield and outfield behind me. I have a great catcher, and I knew we could get them out.

“She’s not going to give up,” said Bell of her ace. “She (McInaw) hit a rope, and I had confidence that she’s going to get the next batter out, and she has confidence. I think that’s the difference between some pitchers. She doesn’t get rattled easily, at all. And I think it shows with the other players, too. The players react to her. They know that she’s ready to play and I think they stepped up their game because of it.”

As for her injured finger, though it did affect her at times, for the most part she was able to ignore it and she turned in the crowning pitching performance of her varsity career.

“Once I started going in the game, I didn’t feel it anymore. I was too pumped to really recognize it. A couple of times it did sting, but I just shook it off. I knew I had to do what I had to do.”


The victory marked Immaculata’s first championship crown since 2000 – which, ironically featured the same final score. The game, actually, was very reminiscent of the 2000 championship over Watchung Hills, and not just because Erica Bell was on the field.

In the 2000 final, which was also played in damp weather, featured a classic pitcher’s duel between Bell, who was a senior for Immaculata, and Watchung Hills senior righty Kacey Stewart.

In that game, which was decided by a couple of first-inning errors, Bell turned in one of the most memorable performances of her brilliant varsity career She allowed one hit, no walks and struck out eight against a fierce Watchung Hills lineup, while Stewart was equal to the task, allowing three hits, no walks, and fanning nine.

Anyway, let’s get back to the present, shall we? The important thing is I finally picked one right in the tournament!


HILLSBOROUGH (9-9) 000-000-0—0-2-1
IMMACULATA (10-3) 000-000-1—1-3-1
2B: H—McInaw; I—Lapicki; WP: Piazzolla (7-3); LP—McInaw (6-9).


****

NOTE: Unfortunately, the Hillsborough contingent had departed the field before I had a chance to interview coach Cheryl Iaione or any of the Raiders players. Look for a more in-depth review of Hillsborough’s sterling performance in Wednesday’s softball notebook in the online and print editions of the Courier News, as well as the Week 6 edition of the Bats and Balls podcast, which is scheduled to be recorded Monday night and should be posted at www.c-n.com/specialsections/multimedia some time Tuesday.

***


ON THE ‘HELMET GATE’ FRONT: Immaculata coach Erica Bell confirmed Saturday that her Montgomery counterpart, Johnny Rooney, did, indeed, delay Tuesday’s game between the Spartans and Cougars in the middle of an Immaculata rally to fix catcher Tara Bucci’s helmet.

Is it possible the two incidents were purely coincidental in that the helmet needed repair during the opposition’s rally? Absolutely. Is it possible it was just gamesmanship? Sure.

I will ask Rooney about it as soon as I get the chance, but it doesn’t excuse adults from behaving like children at a high school softball game.

I’m still trying to get a definitive answer as to which team’s fans were began the jeering in the stands Wednesday night.

Hillsborough coach Cheryl Iaione told me Hillsborough fans were not involved, that it was actually Immaculata supporters that began chiding Rooney during the delay Wednesday. I have talked to several people who were in attendance and are unaffiliated with Montgomery, Immaculata or Hillsborough, and I have gotten conflicting accounts.

It is possible it was a joint-effort by the Immaculata and Hillsborough faithful, in which case it really doesn’t matter who started it (I agree with Jerry Carino – adults should know better). I will continue to investigate.

More on ‘Helmet Gate’ to come.

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ELSEWHERE: My personal prognosticating hell continued Friday night as I swung and missed on my predictions of the semifinals of the Union County Tournament, which did not end well for our local teams.

Both second-seeded Westfield and fifth-seeded New Providence were upset Friday night at Memorial Field, with New Prov falling to Cranford 5-0 – the Pioneers’ first loss of the season – while Westfield was edged by Linden 4-3. I had predicted victories for both local squads.

Luckily, for me and my ego, Hunterdon Central bailed me out of my funk by, as predicted, taking care of business against Delaware Valley on Saturday morning in the Hunterdon/Warren semifinals.

The Red Devils scored an impressive 9-1 victory to advance to next Saturday’s championship game against the winner of Monday’s game between North Hunterdon and Warren Hills.

I made it a perfect 2-for-2 Saturday night with Immaculata’s win over Hillsborough.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and a very happy Mothers Day to all you moms out there.