The chips are down, the gloves are off, the helmets are fastened (or the screws loosened, depending on who you are), and it’s time for the battle royal known as the Somerset County Tournament semifinals.
For every classic the final of this tournament has produced, the semifinals have spawned just as many, and tonight should be no different.
Here’s a look -- complete with picks – of the games scheduled for tonight at North Branch Park.
GAME 1 – 6 P.M.
NO. 3 SEED MONTGOMERY vs. NO. 2 SEED BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN
My records for this tournament go back to 1999, the year I started covering softball for the Courier News. In that time, believe it or not, Montgomery and Bridgewater-Raritan did not meet in the tournament before now.
While the Cougars won the 2006 crown and went to the final in 2005, Bridgewater-Raritan has not won a county championship since 1998 – coach Sandy Baranowski’s first year at the helm – and have not played in the title game since 2001.
Here’s what it comes down to in my mind:
Bridgewater-Raritan has the experience factor in its corner, having graduated just one starter from last season’s team that fell to eventual-champion Immaculata in the semifinals. Senior pitcher Lauren Fitzsimmons knows what it takes to be successful in this tournament, and if she can keep her concentration and not get rattled, she can be near-unhittable.
Montgomery, meanwhile, will rely on the sophomore righty Casey Niper, who has pitched phenomenally since taking over as the Cougars’ ace in the early part of the season, but, let’s face it, she has never been through the wars in this tournament.
Bridgewater-Raritan won the only regular-season meeting between these teams, 2-1 on April 22.
MY PICK: Bridgewater-Raritan 3-1
GAME 2 -- 8 P.M.
NO. 4 SEED IMMACULATA vs. NO. 1 SEED HILLSBOROUGH
This one is a rematch of last year’s final between the defending champion Spartans and the Raiders, who have played in six straight county championship games and won three straight titles from 2003-2005.
And since I’m so fired up about getting my archives together, try this stat on for size: In the past 10 years, Immaculata is 3-0 against Hillsborough in the county tournament.
I expect that to change tonight.
Hillsborough has shown to be the team to beat in this tournament, going to the final year after year when, on paper, some might have though they should be watching from the bleachers.
Raiders ace Megan McInaw has, arguably, been the best and most consistent pitcher in the county this season and will be pitching in her third straight semifinal without a loss, while Hillsborough – despite having a young team without a lot of pop – has found ways to manufacture runs and dent the scoreboard in big spots against elite teams all season.
Immaculata’s Kaitlyn Piazzolla has gotten knocked around at times this season, but I don’t expect that to be an issue against the Raiders. What will be an issue, however, is that if Hillsborough is able to shutdown the top of the Immaculata order allowing it to pitch around Piazzolla, the Spartans really doesn’t have anywhere else to generate the offense it’s going to need against McInaw to advance.
Hillsborough won the teams’ meeting earlier this season, 1-0 on April 8
MY PICK: Hillsborough 2-0
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If you can’t make it out to North Branch Park (right off Route 202 on Milltown Road on the Branchburg/Bridgewater border), check back here Wednesday night for results of this game.
Look for complete coverage of both games in Thursday’s Courier News and online at http://www.mycentraljersey.com/
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5 comments:
Simeon I think the game between Montgomery and BW is going to be a good game , but after seeing Montgomery play the other day I think they righted the ship , there putting the bat on the ball and the team is playing as a team I'm picking Montgomery 4-1
I agree Montgomery has what it takes BW will be lucky to hold on.
IHS is taking the win also KP always pitches her best in a pinch
You're both right, Montgomery has started to get its stuff together lately, and Kaitlyn Piazzolla has turned in some of her best performances in this tournament.
Both these games could go either way, but I'm sticking with my picks!
Hello Simeon I would just like to say that I have enjoyed watching Megan, Lauren, Lydia, and Kaitlyn play over the past 4 years, it's been an exciting 4 years at that.
I'll be there tonight (covering game 2) and I most look forward to hearing the 80s Glam Rock in between innings.
Also I will reiterate: Bridgewater has to prove they can win in a big spot tonight. Until then, I am going with Montgomery.
Also I can't see Hillsborough losing.
Montgomery vs. Hillsborough -- now THAT is the final everyone wants to see.
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