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.


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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.


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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.


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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