All-Area is here

The 2008 Courier News All-Area package is out today and is available in its entirety in the print edition of the paper.

Most of it is also available online at http://www.mycentraljersey.com/

Here are some direct links:

For the final notebook CLICK HERE

For the feature on 2008 Courier News Coach of the Year, Jeff Steele of North Hunterdon, CLICK HERE

For the feature on 2008 Courier News Player of the Year Lauren Fitzsimmons CLICK HERE

For a capsule look at the other 2008 first-teamers CLICK HERE

Here are the All-Area teams and honorable mention, followed by the season's final Top 10:

FIRST TEAM
P-Lauren Fitzsimmons, Bridgewater-Raritan, Sr.
P-Jenna Gonzalez, North Hunterdon, Sr.
P-Megan McInaw, Hillsborough, Sr.
P-Alyssa Sutherland, South Plainfield, Jr.
C-Erica Gaeta, Hunterdon Central, Sr.
1B-Lindsay Durant, Bridgewater-Raritan, Sr.
2B-Colleen Trecartin, North Hunterdon, Sr.
SS-Jenny Harabedian, Hunterdon Central, Jr.
3B-Cyndil Matthew, Westfield, Jr.
OF-Meghan Everett, Hunterdon Central, Sr.
OF-Hilary Murray, North Hunterdon, Sr.
OF-Jeanette Ragucci, Voorhees, Sr.
DH-Katelyn Derewecki, Hillsborough, Sr.
Util-Jenna Carmon, Hunterdon Central, Sr.

SECOND TEAM
P-Lydia deMartino, Watchung Hills, Sr.
P-Lindsay Lehman, Somerville, Sr.
P-Kaitlyn Piazzolla, Immaculata, Sr.
P-Courtney Yard, Hunterdon Central, Fr.
C-Erin Siejk, Watchung Hills, Sr.
1B-Megan Alexander, Hillsborough, Sr.
2B-Stephanie Goines, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, Sr.
SS-Katie Occhipinti, Pingry, Sr.
3B-Katie Watts, Ridge, Sr.
OF-Lindsey Ciresa, Somerville, Sr.
OF-Ally Hanlon, Hunterdon Central, Sr.
OF-Kristen Sheft, RutgersPrep, Jr.
DH-Blair Curzi, North Hunterdon, So.
Util-Alex Campanaro, Rutgers Prep, Fr.

THIRD TEAM
P-Jennifer Goldberg, Warldaw-Hartridge, Jr.
P-Casey Niper, Montgomery, So.
P-Gina Richardella, Gill St. Bernard's, Fr.
P-Alex Tragno, New Providence, Sr.
C-Megan Kryeling, Dunellen, Sr.
1B-Kaylee Fry, BoundBrook, Sr.
2B—Shannon Deegan, Union Catholic, Jr.
SS-Katie Zolli, Union Catholic, Jr.
3B-Katie Muglia, South Plainfield, So.
OF-Laura Burger, Watchung Hills, Jr.
OF-Katie Pires, Governor Livingston, Sr.
OF-Katie Abruzzo, Westfield, So.
DH-Jen Disch, South Plainfield, Jr.
Util-Liz Miller, Dunellen, Jr.

HONORABLE MENTION
Bernards: Nicole Fresella, Kelly Lallis, Rebecca Sewell, Meghan Sundberg;
Bound Brook: Kristen Longo, Kasey Ludwig, Jillian Mondrone;
Bridgewater-Raritan: Maria Cano, Carianne D'Allessandro, Sammy DeSimone;
Delaware Valley: Amy Mesce;
Dunellen: Michelle Pakenham, Alex Ruskuski;
Franklin: Arielle Liotine;
Gill St. Bernard's: Katie Carbone, Alyssa Creegan;
Governor Livingston: Nicole Koszowski, Christina Kushner, Cat Sacco;
Hillsborough: Margaret Gilroy, Kristi Ann Ivone, Tara Van Doren;
Hunterdon Central: Annmarie Forenza;
Immaculata: Kat Cannell, Ali Cullen, Ariel Doering, Ashley Hartshorn;
Manville: Sam Aichele;
Middlesex: Michelle Casale, Jackie Ferraro;
Montgomery: Elora Daniele, Abby Gray, Taylor Zahn;
Mount St. Mary: Tori Breen, Julia Kennedy, Gina Quartorolo, Alex Russomagno, Marisa Villa;
New Providence: Michelle Ciarrocca, Kelly Marchisio, Caitlin Sneeden;
North Hunterdon: Caitlin McGourty, Sam Rayhon, Rebecca Schaefer, Jenna Taylor;
North Plainfield: Amanda Costello, Tiffany Murphy;
Plainfield: Aliya Davis, Devyn Hale;
Ridge: Sam Fama;
Rutgers Prep: Kelly Prendergast, Anna Steinman;
Scotch Plains-Fanwood: Kelly Cianciotta, Nikki Mineo, Saxoney Neilsen;
Somerset Tech: Jessica Popik, Rebecca Popik;
Somerville: Janelle Jegou, Kim Sacchi, Korri Thompson;
South Hunterdon: Corrine Hart, Amanda Nielsen, Tori Smeigocki;
South Plainfield: Stephanie Szeliga;
Timothy Christian: Sara Poole, Ashley Sivo, Courtney Soucek;
Union Catholic: Angela Sessa;
Wardlaw-Hartridge: Nicole Kopidakis, Alison Monte, Tara Pretty;
Westfield: Katie Esler, Alex Pecora.


FINAL SOFTBALL TOP 10
1. Hunterdon Central 26-2
2. North Hunterdon 25-4
3. Hillsborough 19-6
4. Bridgewater-Raritan 22-7
5. South Plainfield 21-6
6. Westfield 17-6
7. Immaculata 16-12
8. Watchung Hills 12-11
9. Montgomery 15-12
10. Somerville 21-5

ALL-AREA DATE

After some editorial issues, it has been determined that softball All-Area will run in the Friday, June 20 edition of the Courier News.

I don't expect this to change again.

Sorry for the confusion.

This is the end...

The final podcast of the season was recorded Tuesday night and is now up at www.mycentraljersey.com, and features, among other things, a look back at the season, as well as a glance at the postseason awards, including the hotly contested battle going on in the polls on this blog.

For a direct link, CLICK HERE

Five awarded scholarships

ZONED Sports Academy Inc., a training and teaching facility for baseball and softball, has announced the winners of its second annual $10,000.00 Baseball/Softball Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Award, and five local players have been recognized.

According to the press release, scholarships are given to athletes in recognition of their athletic accomplishments, educational success, and community service work, and are applicable to each individual’s first year of matriculation.

This year’s winners for softball are: Katie Watts of Ridge; Megan McInaw and Katelyn Derewecki of Hillsborough; Sarah Pangia of Montgomery; and Jenna Carmon of Hunterdon Central.

Baseball winners are Patrick Doyle of Watchung Hills and Robert Colucci of Immaculata.

“These scholarships recognize athletes who have succeeded in far more than baseball and softball,” said Duke Baxter of ZONED Sports Academy. “They recognize each of these athletes as well rounded individuals whose accomplishments reach well beyond the diamonds they play on. They are true champions in their schools, homes and communities.

“These scholarships provide a way for us at ZONED to recognize and give back to these young role models as well as for those who will follow in their footsteps in years to come.”

ZONED Sports Academy Inc. can be reached on 732-537-1770 or on the web at www.zonedinc.com.

PODCAST: WEEK 10

The latest edition of the BATS and BALLS podcast was recorded Thursday night and is up at www.MyCentralJersey.com.

For a direct link CLICK HERE

Bittersweet symphony

It was another exciting, very enjoyable season of varsity softball that has now come to an end. And for me, the most difficult phase of the season has come: Choosing the postseason awards and picking the All-Area teams.

Sure, it's fun to look back on the season and compile stats and performances. But, like every year, certain very deserving people are going to be inevitably left out simply because of the numbers crunch, and I feel a lot of pressure to get it as right as I possibly can.

As usual, I will be selecting a Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, first, second and third team All-Area, as well as Honorable Mention for the 2008 All-Area Softball teams scheduled for release on Wednesday, June 18.

Each team consists of four pitchers, three outfielders, a catcher, first baseman, second baseman, shortstop and third baseman, as well as a designated hitter and a utility player (the latter two can be from any position).

I have already begun calling coaches, getting their nominees, stats, as well as their opinions on other players in the area, and I extend the same question to you, the readers:

The Courier News area consists of all of Somerset County and all of Hunterdon County, as well as Westfield, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, Plainfield, Governor Livingston, New Providence and Union Catholic in Union County, plus Dunellen, Piscataway, Middlesex, Wardlaw-Hartridge, Timothy Christian and South Plainfield in Middlesex County.

I have narrowed Coach of the Year and Player of the Year to a few candidates, my only criteria being that the team won something (county, conference, section), and I am very interested in opinions on those awards as well as the All-Area teams, so feel free to comment here or send me an email at CourierSoftball@aol.com.


PLAYER OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES
Not all of these players are guaranteed to make first team. Like I said, numbers crunch.

Jenna Carmon, Hunterdon Central, senior, pitcher/first base
Undefeated in 16 decisions as a pitcher, one of the big bats in the lineup for the Hunterdon/Warren and co-Skyland Delaware West champs.

Jenna Gonzalez, North Hunterdon, senior, pitcher
Ace righty had a great year for the North 2, Group IV and co-Skyland Delaware West champs and showed to be more than resilient when she didn't have her best stuff.

Lauren Fitzsimmons, Bridgewater-Raritan, senior, pitcher
Did not allow a run in the Somerset County Tournament -- throwing a near-perfect game in the semis and a no-hitter in the final. Did not allow a run in the state tournament until North Hunterdon's late-inning comeback, and even then, did not allow many hard-hit balls.

Jenny Harabedian, Hunterdon Central, junior, shortstop
The top bat in Central's lineup tied a school record with nine homers. Hit a game-breaking three-run blast in Hunterdon/Warren final

Lindsay Lehman, Somerville, senior, pitcher
Emerged as the Pioneers' ace and pitched Somerville to the Raritan Division crown

Megan McInaw, Hillsborough, senior, pitcher
Used her bat and her arm to lead Hillsborough to the Skyland Delaware East championship. Came within one extra inning, international-tiebreaker loss of the Raiders seventh straight trip to SCT final, and lost 1-0 to the eventual Central Jersey Group IV champs in the semifinals.

Did I miss someone? Let me know.



COACH OF THE YEAR
Criteria: Team must have won something. Must not have won the award in previous five seasons (i.e. Hillsborough's Cheryl Iaione was 2003 Coach of the Year, and South Plainfield's Don Panzarella was Coach of the Year in 2005, and are ineligible).


Sandy Baranowski, Bridgewater-Raritan
Led the Panthers to their first county crown since 1998 and first-ever sectional final. B-R won 22 games -- most in school history.

Heidi Kearnan, Rutgers Prep
Returning to the Argonauts bench after an 11-year hiatus, Kearnan has taken big steps toward building Rutgers Prep into a program that can not only continue to dominate the Patriot League and the Prep B Tournament -- Argos won their third straight title this season -- but can be a force in Somerset County and the NJSIAA, which they're reportedly scheduled to join in 2009-2010.

Regina Rossi, Somerville
Balancing a three-arm pitching staff in her second year at the helm, Rossi led the Pioneers to the Raritan Division crown

Jeff Steele, North Hunterdon
The Lions won a share of the Skyland Delaware West and won the North 2, Group IV title for the third straight season. Team showed a refusal to ever give up, pulling off an eye-popping comeback to win the sectional title, and almost repeated the feat in the Group IV semis.

Did I miss anyone? Let me know.

All-Skyland Conference teams

Here are the complete All-Skyland Conference teams, by division

The teams were picked today by conference coaches at a meeting at North Hunterdon High School on Monday.

You will notice each division has its own format as far as how many players and teams were picked and what positions they were assigned.

Some of it strikes me a bit odd, but you get the idea.


SKYLAND CONFERENCE DELAWARE EAST DIVISION
Division champ: Hillsborough

FIRST TEAM
P: Lydia deMartino, Watchung Hills, senior
P: Lauren Fitzsimmons, Bridgewater-Raritan, senior
P: Megan McInaw, Hillsborough, senior
P: Kaitlyn Piazzolla, Immaculata, senior
C: Sammy DeSimone, Bridgewater-Raritan, senior
C: Margaret Gilroy, Hillsborough, sophomore
C: Abby Gray, Montgomery, freshman
C: Erin Siejk, Watchung Hills, senior
1B: Megan Alexander, Hillsbrough, senior
1B: Lindsay Durant, Bridgewater-Raritan, senior
2B: Carianne D’Alessandro, Bridgewater-Raritan, junior
SS: Kat Cannell, Immaculata, senior
SS/P: Casey Niper, Montgomery, sophomore
OF: Laura Berger, Watchung Hills, senior
OF: Katelyn Derewecki, Hillsborough, senior

SECOND TEAM
P: Arielle Liotine, Franklin, senior
2B: Katie Beegle, Watchung Hills, junior
SS: Maria Caro, Bridgewater-Raritan, junior
SS: Kristi Ann Ivone, Hillsborough, freshman
3B: Alexis Manuel, Watchung Hills, senior
3B: Tara Van Doren, Hillsborough, senior
3B: Taylor Zahn, Montgomery, sophomore
OF: Lauren Fair, Bridgewater-Raritan, senior
OF: Katie Jones, Bridgewater-Raritan, junior

HONORABLE MENTION
Elora Daniele, P/SS, Montgomery, senior
Jordan Helman, 3B, Bridgewater-Raritan, senior


SKYLAND CONFERENCE DELAWARE WEST DIVISION
Division champ: Hunterdon Central/North Hunterdon (tie)

FIRST TEAM
P: Jenna Carmon, Hunterdon Central, senior
P: Jenna Gonzalez, North Hunterdon, senior
C: Erica Gaeta, Hunterdon Central, senior
1B: Courtney Yard, Hunterdon Central, freshman
2B: Colleen Trecartin, North Hunterdon, senior
SS: Jenny Harabedian, Hunterdon Central, junior
3B: Katie Watts, Ridge, senior
OF: Meghan Everett, Hunterdon Central, senior
OF: Sam Fama, Ridge, sophomore
OF: Hilary Murray, North Hunterdon, senior
OF: Jeanette Ragucci, Voorhees, senior
DP: Blair Curzi, North Hunterdon, sophomore
At Large: Nicole Cruz, Warren Hills, senior
At Large: Ally Hanlan, Hunterdon Central, senior
At Large: Sam Rayhon, North Hunterdon, sophomore

SECOND TEAM
P: Lindsay Gibbons, Ridge, senior
C: Hannah Rimar, Voorhees, senior
1B: Julia Povolny, Ridge, senior
OF: Jenna Taylor, North Hunterdon, senior
2B: Katie Ciecwisz, Voorhees, sophomore
2B: Krysten Rosamelia, Warren Hills, sophomore
OF: Kelly O'Dell, Warren Hills, junior
3B: Shawnee Bernstein, Voorhees, junior
SS: Rebecca Schaefer, North Hunterdon, junior

HONORABLE MENTION
Ann Marie Forenza, Hunterdon Central, senior
Caitlin McGourty, North Hunterdon, senior
Lexi Conglione, Warren Hills, senior
Sam Birr, Ridge
Andi Schell, Voorhees, freshman
Rachael Raabe, Phillipsburg, senior


SKYLAND CONFERENCE RARITAN DIVISION
Division champ: Somerville

FIRST TEAM
P: Lindsay Lehman, Somerville, senior
P: Liz Tillou, Hackettstown, sophomore
C: Amy Mesce, Delaware Valley, senior
1B: Laura Nevar, Somerville, junior
2B: Melissa Volkert, Hackettstown, senior
SS: Gina Quartarolo, Mount Saint Mary, junior
3B: Julia Kennedy, Mount Saint Mary, senior
OF: Tori Breen, Mount Saint Mary, junior
OF: Lindsey Ciresa, Somerville, senior
OF: Taylor Thorp, Hackettstown, freshman
At Large: Nicole Fresella, Bernards, junior
At Large: Janelle Jegou, Somerville, senior
At Large: Alex Russomagno, Mount Saint Mary, senior
At Large: Megan Sundberg, Bernards, senior
At Large: Rebecca Sewell, Bernards, freshman

SECOND TEAM
P: Kaitlyn Johnson, Delaware Valley, freshman
P: Marissa Vila, Mount Saint Mary, senior
C: Ashley Iannone, Hackettstown, freshman
2B: Dana Stevenson, Bernards, junior
2B: Korri Thompson, Somerville, sophomore
SS: Kim Sacchi, Somerville, sophomore
SS: Ali Wagner, Hackettstown, sophomore
3B: Samantha Bonaduce, Somerville, sophomore
OF: Kelly Lallis, Bernards, freshman


SKYLAND CONFERENCE VALLEY DIVISION
Division champ: Belvidere

FIRST TEAM
P: Corrine Hart, South Hunterdon, junior
P: Megan Roncoroni, Belvidere, senior
C: Amanda Nielsen, South Hunterdon, freshman
C: Kate Ruby, Belvidere, senior
IF: Kaylee Fry, Bound Brook, senior
IF: Melissa Garris, Belvidere, senior
IF: Nicole Howell, Belvidere, senior
IF: Tori Smeigocki, South Hunterdon, freshman
IF: Megan Vakes, Belvidere, senior
OF: Kristen Longo, Bound Brook, senior
OF: Guistina Lorusso, North Warren, junior
OF: Jillian Mondrone, Bound Brook, freshman
At Large: Michelle Cecchetti, North Warren, junior
At Large: Kasey Ludwig, Bound Brook, senior
At Large: Courtney Wood, Bound Brook, senior

SECOND TEAM
C: Rebecca Hoey, Bound Brook, freshman
C: Lynn Weiss, North Warren, junior
IF: Megan Baloy, Bound Brook, senior
IF: Ashley Leiggi, South Hunterdon, senior
IF: Emily Marley, South Hunterdon, freshman
IF: Hilary Reilly, North Warren, junior
IF: Codie Schaffer, Belvidere, senior
OF: Carly Bigos, North Warren
OF: Amanda Davalos, North Warren

HONORABLE MENTION
Lyndsey Becker, North Warren
Brittany Ennis, South Hunterdon
Melissa Metcalf, Belvidere
Caitlin Shubick, Bound Brook

Never Say die

The first text message arrived from Whippany Park High School from my colleague, Keith Sargeant, at 4:32 p.m. Tuesday letting me know North Hunterdon was down 5-0 in the bottom of the third inning.

As I relayed the news to one of my co-workers sitting at a desk adjacent to mine, I added, "This one is far from over."

After watching the Lions' miraculous comeback against Bridgewater-Raritan in the sectional final last week, I knew North Hunterdon had plenty of fight left in it. And even after I got a phone call from Harry Frezza, who was at the Hunterdon Central baseball game and received a report that North now trailed Ridgewood 7-2 in the sixth, I again turned to my co-worker and said, "Watch. North's gonna tie it in the seventh inning."

At 5:36 p.m. I got the following text from Keith: "Down 7-2, North rallied w/ 5 in top of 7th."

My reply: "Deja-(expletive deleted)-Vu."

Sure, the Lions would eventually lose in nine innings, but for a team to turn in unlikely comebacks in back-to-back game this deep in the state tournament, well, that's just a phenomenal feat and it speaks volume as to the intestinal fortitude of the young ladies that wear the green and gold of North Hunterdon.

Kudos to the Lions and coach Jeff Steele, who has obviously instilled in his players that never-say-die attitude that is a must-have for a championship ballclub.

Three straight sectional titles is nothing to scoff at, and though North came two games short of a state title this time around, the Lions have to be very proud of their accomplishment as the senior-heavy squad wraps up their high school softball careers.

Well done, ladies. Well done.

For complete coverage of Tuesday's game, check out Keith Sargeant's game story HERE

GROUP IV SEMIFINAL: Deja Vu.. almost

RIDGEWOOD 8, NORTH HUNTERDON 7 (9 inning)

North Hunterdon got down 5-0 in the third inning and trailed 7-2 headed to the top of the seventh.

The Lions got five in the top of the seventh to tie it 7-7, but Ridgewood got a run in the bottom of the ninth to send North Hunterdon home.

Keith Sargeant was on the scene in Whippany Park. To read his story CLICK HERE

North Hunterdon preview

My preview of today's North Hunterdon-Ridgewood Group IV semifinal is up at mycentraljersey.com, as well as in today's Courier News.

For my feature on Lions ace Jenna Gonzalez, click HERE

For a preview of the game -- complete with my prediction -- click HERE

Also online are previews of today's group semifinals involving Middlesex County teams by Home News Tribune softball writer Mark Spivey. Check those out HERE

Also, in case you missed it, the latest podcast was finally posted late Monday afternoon. You can find it HERE

Better late than never – plus All-Skyland Delaware East teams

Nearly four full days after it was originally recorded, the latest edition of the BATS and BALLS podcast is finally up at http://www.mycentraljersey.com/.

For a direct link, click HERE

In fairness to our fine multimedia staff, there was some technical difficulties with the original edit of the recording and it had to be reconfigured today. Thanks for your patience.

In less frustrating news, the Skyland Conference Delaware East Division teams are out.

The teams were picked today by conference coaches at a meeting at North Hunterdon High School.


FIRST TEAM
Seniors
Lydia deMartino, P, Watchung Hills
Lauren Fitzsimmons, P, Bridgewater-Raritan
Megan McInaw, P, Hillsborough
Kaitlyn Piazzolla, P, Immaculata
Sammy DeSimone, C, Bridgewater-Raritan
Erin Siejk, C, Watchung Hills
Megan Alexander, 1B, Hillsbrough
Lindsay Durant, 1B, Bridgewater-Raritan
Kat Cannell, SS, Immaculata
Laura Berger, OF, Watchung Hills
Katelyn Derewecki, OF, Hillsborough

Juniors
Carianne D’Alessandro, 2B, Bridgewater-Raritan

Sophomores
Margaret Gilroy, C, Hillsborough
Casey Niper, SS/P, Montgomery

Freshmen
Abby Gray, C, Montgomery


SECOND TEAM
Seniors
Tara Van Doren, 3B, Hillsborough
Lauren Fair, OF, Bridgewater-Raritan
Arielle Liotine, P, Franklin
Alexis Manuel, 3B, Watchung Hills

Juniors
Katie Beegle, 2B, Watchung Hills
Maria Caro, SS, Bridgewater-Raritan
Katie Jones, OF, Bridgewater-Raritan

Sophomores
Taylor Zahn, 3B, Montgomery

Freshmen
Kristi Ann Ivone, SS, Hillsborough


HONORABLE MENTION
Elora Daniele, P/SS, Montgomery
Jordan Helman, 3B, Bridgewater-Raritan



PROGRAMMING NOTES
Check out Tuesday’s edition of the Courier News for a complete preview of North Hunterdon’s Group IV semifinal meeting with Ridgewood.
Of course, we will have full coverage of the game on MyCentralJersey.com, as well as in Wednesday’s paper.