GMC softball: Red and White Divisions a stark contrast this season, Top 10
For year-after-year the balance, quality, and level of play of the Red and White Divsions in softball, the two divisions composed of larger schools in the Greater Middlesex Conference, have been very comparable.
This year though, the two divisions couldn’t be further apart.
Entering play on Friday, an average of 8.4 runs were being scored in every Red Division game — take out six games involving last place Edison, the lone team in the division without any divisional wins, and that average dropped to 6.4 runs per game with no game being decided by the 10-run mercy rule.
Meanwhile in the nine-team White Division a total of one of 27 divisional games was contained less than the 8.4 runs being average in the Red — a 3-0 win by Colonia on opening day over North Brunswick.
White Division games are averaging a startling 15.7 runs per game between the two teams, including 5 of the 27 games being decided by 15 runs or more.
RELATED:South Plainfield softball wins wild one against Monroe with five-run seventh
After the top three teams in the White in South Plainfield, Monroe, and Bishop Ahr, the dropoff to the next tier of teams is pretty large.
In the Red meanwhile, six of the seven teams seem capable of beating each other on any given day with at least 4-5 having realistic shots of making a run at the division title.
So which division will win out at the end of the season?
The pitching-oriented Red Division or hitting-heavy White Division?
Player of the Week
While North Brunswick has had its struggles on the field to start 2015, senior third baseman Rebecca Colandrea hasn’t been but spectacular for the Raiders so far.
Though her team’s first 10 games, Colandrea is hitting a cool .481 with five home runs and 15 RBI.
Three of her homers came in one day in a doubleheader at the Colonia Believe Classic!
“Rebecca has worked very hard to become an outstanding softball player,” North Brunswick coach Sarah Diller said. “She has set her sights on making a name for herself as a top offensive player for North Brunswick High School.”
Colandrea was also expected to sign a letter of intent this week to play softball at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.
Games to watch
South Plainfield at Bishop Ahr, Monday: The Trojans will look to avenge an opening day loss to South Plainfield, the lone remaining undefeated team in the GMC.
East Brunswick at J.P. Stevens, Tuesday: The Bears have been the class of the Red Division so far — the Hawks will look to hand them their first divisional loss.
Bishop Ahr at Monroe, Wednesday: Another highly contested White Division battle between two top teams.
Staff writer Mike Becker: mbecker@GannettNJ.com
TOP 10
1. South Plainfield 10-0
2. Monroe 4-1
3. Bishop Ahr 5-2
4. East Brunswick 7-2
5. Sayreville 3-1
6. Piscataway 4-2
7. J.P. Stevens 6-2
8. South Brunswick 2-3
9. Old Bridge 1-5
10. Spotswood 6-0
(records through Thursday’s games)