Harabedian, Matthew commit to D-I

Two local softball players have signed National Letters of Intent to Division I college programs this winter.

Hunterdon Central senior shortstop Jenny Harabedian, who helped the Red Devils to their eighth Hunterdon/Warren Tournament title in the past 10 years last season and their 21st straight conference crown, will play for Rutgers University, while Westfield third baseman/pitcher Cyndil Matthew has committed to the University of Massachusetts.

Harabedian batted .467 with 33 RBIs as a junior last season, and blasted 9 home runs to tie a Hunterdon Central record.

Her keynote address came in the bottom of the sixth inning of the Hunterdon/Warren final against North Hunterdon when she hit a 3-run home run to dead-center field to turn a 1-0 lead into a 4-0 cushion.

As a sophomore, Harabedian hit .400, with 5 doubles, 7 triples, 6 home runs and 27 RBIs.

Matthew, who was named first-team all-Area by the Courier News in each of the past two seasons, hit .625 for Westfield with 7 home runs, 27 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.

In the circle, Matthew went 9-4 with a 0.88 ERA, and struck out 117 hitters in 79 2/3 innings.

Matthew hit .642 with 11 doubles, 2 triples, 8 home runs and 34 RBIs her sophomore year, playing exclusively third base.

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Just over three months left until softball season, folks!!

On behalf of myself and the Courier News sports staff, here's wishing you and yours a very happy holidays and a prosperous new year.