Softball roundup for Wednesday, April 5

Skyland Conference

Ridge 10, Bridgewater-Raritan 6: Kristin Miscia doubled, tripled, scored three times and drove in four runs, and Amanda Leitz added a single, double and four RBIs as Ridge exploded for four runs in the sixth inning and four in the seventh to stun Bridgewater-Raritan at Diamond Nation. Maddy West notched two hits and three runs for the Red Devils (1-1). Sam Ward singled, homered and drove in three runs, and Madison Capetta added two hits and an RBI for the Panthers (1-1).
ANALYSIS: This is an incredible victory for Ridge, a program that hasn’t posted a winning season since 2002 and hasn’t beaten Bridgewater-Raritan in, perhaps, even longer. My computerized records go back to 2008 and there are no Red Devils victories over the Panthers since then. I have to check my non-digital archives when I get a chance. I’ll be sure to Tweet out what I find. Congrats to Ridge on a heck of a victory, and to rookie head coach Jackie Spina on her first varsity win.
Tough one for BR, which was nearly nipped by Immaculata on opening day. The Panthers pitching is an obvious weak spot after the graduation of two standout arms, and Sammy Mazzagotti cruised through most of the game before running into trouble late. Hopefully she can get stronger as the season progresses, her first campaign as a varsity pitcher, and after missing all of last year with injury.

Immaculata 7, Phillipsburg 6: Gianna Novak delivered a two-out double in the bottom of the seventh inning chasing home Becca Zayle and Immaculata notched its first victory. The Spartans trailed 5-1 headed to the bottom of the fifth inning at Diamond Nation before exploding for five runs, getting two on an error and another on a two-run single from Emily Colline. Jackie Zayle also knocked in a run in the inning.
ANALYSIS: A great victory for the Spartans, who nearly knocked off Bridgewater-Raritan on Monday. These are the kinds of games that Immaculata is going to need to win, outbattling opponents in late games, rather relying on tradition methods, like dominant pitching performances. The Spartans are a longshot in the conference and county, but should certainly continue be a competitive pest to the favorites.

Watchung Hills 3, North Hunterdon 2 (9 innings): Julia Skrobacz ripped a walkoff double in the bottom of the ninth inning, plating Sophia Cicchetti, and Watchung Hills escaped to stay undefeated (2-0). Cicchetti led off the inning with a triple, finishing the game 2-for-4 with two runs, and Skrobacz was 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Robin McCabe also notched an RBI with a sac fly, going the distance and allowing two runs on seven hits, three walks and striking out 10. North Hunterdon (1-1) scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning on a two-run single by Megan Hanily to force extra innings. Meghan Graham and Jess Nolan each posted two hits, including a double.
ANALYSIS: The Warriors have played with fire in their first two outings, escaping with a 1-0 victory over Monroe on Monday before tempting fate again Wednesday against North. Watchung Hills has often used the bend-but-don’t-break approach in the early season, only to hit its stride when the chips are down, so this isn’t really of any concern, especially against two real good teams.
The Lions have looked good early, even catching the eye of Watchung Hills coach Mike D’Alessandro, who told me how impressed he was with this club. North certainly figures to be Montgomery’s chief competition in the Skyland Raritan and a real contender in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament.

South Hunterdon 10, Rutgers Prep 5: Emma Bacon sizzled for South Hunterdon, finishing 4-for-5 with two doubles, three runs and three RBIs. Giovanna Rubino added four hits, including a triple, drove in two and scored a pair for the Eagles (2-0). Nicole Kutner, Kyla Lamb and Gianna DeLorenzo each picked up two hits for Rutgers Prep (0-1). DiLorenzo also struck out 11 and walked only two.
ANALYSIS: A 2-0 start for South Hunterdon in divisional play. Rutgers Prep finally gets its opener in, showing some definite life after being 10-runned five times last year, including three times in the division.

Bernards 13, Pingry 3 (5 innings): Caroline Baratta finished 2-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs, and Sammi Re added three hits, two runs and an RBI, as Bernards used an eight-run fifth inning to notch the mercyrule victory. Cassidy Reyda chipped in two hits, two runs and an RBI for the Mountaineers (1-1). Katya Drovetsky picked up two hits for Pingry in its opener.
ANALYSIS: Nice bounce-back victory for Bernards after falling to West Essex on opening day. Re is now nine hits from 100. 

Hunterdon Central 9, Warren Hills 2: Maddie McKevitt notched two hits, including a pair of doubles, and three RBIs, and Lexi Semanchick went 3-for-3 with a double and two runs scored as Hunterdon Central scored four in the fifth inning and five in the sixth inning to improve to 2-0. Kylie Gletow allowed two runs on seven hits, walked one and struck out eight for the Red Devils.
ANALYSIS: Central gets Immaculata on Thursday at Diamond Nation, weather permitting.

Greater Middlesex Conference

South Brunswick 4, Monroe 2: Lindsey Warick collected two hits, two runs and an RBI, and Emily Collins rapped out two hits and drove in a run to fuel South Brunswick (3-0). Gabriella Brancaccio picked up the victory, allowing two runs on just two hits, she walked five and struck out four. Carly Rybinski doubled for the Vikings, her 99th career hit. Emma Pead finished 2-for-3 with a homer for Monroe (0-2).

Carteret 7, Spotswood 6 (8 innings): Melody Caces cracked a one-out RBI double in the bottom of the eighth inning, driving home sophomore Chloe Oblepias, who had led off with a walk, and Carteret improved to 3-0. Winning pitcher Caitlin Murray doubled twice, scored twice and drove in two runs for the Ramblers. Megan Tully homered and drove in three runs for Spotswood (1-1), which tied the game in the top of the seventh inning to force the extra frame.

South Plainfield 6, Woodbridge 2: Camryn Schaeffer doubled and drove in three runs and Caity Hughes doubled, homered and drove in two runs as South Plainfield moved to 2-0. Katherine Vill allowed just one earned run on seven hits, walked none and struck out seven for the Tigers. Casey Morrison went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Barrons (1-2).

Middlesex 12, New Brunswick 2 (5 innings): Nicole Fallon singled, doubled, scored twice and drove in two runs to lead Middlesex (1-0). Ashley Dotey doubled and drove in two runs in the victory. Maria Collado posted a double and an RBI and Mohogany Hall notched two hits for the Zebras.

Colonia 11, Perth Amboy 1 (5 innings): Lauren Wright doubled, scored twice and drove in four runs, and Sabrina Tiseo allowed just one unearned run on one hits, walked two and struck out five, as Colonia won its first. Samantha Fiorvanti added two RBIs for the Patriots (1-2). Mia Molina singled for the Panthers (0-2).

J.F. Kennedy 9, North Brunswick 6: Jenny Gordon tripled and drove in three runs, and Ashlee Ayr and Katie Baumgarten each notched two hits and an RBI to lead J.F. Kennedy (2-0). Kayla Scher finished 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI, and Kartina Lauri added two hits, two runs and an RBI for the Raiders (0-2).

Old Bridge 12, East Brunswick 2 (6 innings): Jessica Gaughan and Meaghan Dowdell each posted two hits, including a double, scored twice and drove in three runs to fuel Old Bridge (2-0). Nicole Cashman added a single, double and two RBIs for the Knights, as Dowdell allowed just two runs on two hits, walked one and struck out 10. Sarah Ciaccio hit a two-run homer for East Brunswick (0-2).

Metuchen 10, Mother Seton 0 (5 innings): Bridget O’Connor fired a five-inning one-hitter, walking one and striking out eight to guide Metuchen (1-1). Cristina Czochanski led the Bulldogs offense, posting a single, home run, two runs and two RBIs. Catie Koenig singled for the Setters (1-2).

East Brunswick Tech 17, Wardlaw-Hartridge 16: Amanda Lopez singled, doubled and drove in four runs, and Christina Crowe went 4-for-4 with two RBIs and Gabriella Carnevale added four hits, including a double and scored five runs for East Brunswick Tech (2-0). Kristyn Smith finished 4-for-5 with a double, three runs and four RBIs, and Kerry McGrath and Gabby Hoffman each drove in three runs for the Rams (1-1).

Piscataway 7, Edison 3: Arianna Percivale singled, tripled, scored twice and drove in a run, and Caitlyn Erdman notched the victory, allowing just two runs, three hits and a walk over four innings, fanning two, as Piscataway improved to 1-1. Gianna Fresnedo posted two hits and an RBI, and Bianca Newsom single twice and scored two runs for Edison (0-2).

Union County Conference

Governor Livingston 7, Lenape Valley 5: Christine Pacheco smacked a two-run home run and Alanna Namit drove in two more as Governor Livingston (2-0) scored two in the sixth and three in the seventh inning to rally for the non-conference victory. Namit pitched the final inning, allowing just one hit and striking out four to earn the victory.

Cedar Grove 10, Union Catholic 0: Madeleine Lennon and Sarah Ohnmeiss picked up the hits for Union Catholic (1-1).

Staff writer Simeon Pincus can be reached atCourierSoftball@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @SimeonPincus and atwww.Facebook.com/SimeonPincusCN.