Softball: South Plainfield advances to Group III final

MONTCLAIR - Fresh off a disappointing loss in the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament final last Saturday and a thrilling victory over Middletown North to capture a sectional title on Wednesday, the South Plainfield High School softball team has run the gamut of emotions over the last six days. Thursday’s game was no different.

The Tigers initially trailed 1-0 with Old Tappan  shutting them down courtesy of Julie Rodriguez’s left arm. But the Tigers settled their emotions and got a key hit from their spark plug to turn dismay into elation.

South Plainfield set a school record for most wins in a season with 26 as the Tigers topped Old Tappan, 3-2, in the Group III semifinals at Montclair University. The Tigers will play Steinert in the final.

SOFTBALL: South Plainfield downs Middletown North to win sectional final

“I think we were flat coming off the emotional game against Middletown North,” South Plainfield coach Don Panzarella said. “We had to play yesterday, and they didn’t. We were spent a little bit, but they find a way, they always find a way. We’ve been in every game this year."

Rodriguez struck out the first four batters she faced and was perfect through the first two innings. The Tigers were able to squeak a run across in the third inning on an error to tie the score at one, but their leadoff hitter notched the timely hit that would put them ahead.

With one runner on, senior shortstop Caity Hughes lofted a ball into center field that rolled all the way to the wall. Hughes immediately was  off to the races and with her insatiable, track-like speed and  was easily able to circle the bases for the inside the park home run, giving the Tigers a 3-1 lead.

SOFTBALL: North Hunterdon wins North 2 Group IV title

“Honestly, I was listening to my coaches because I was always taught to not look at the ball,” Hughes said. “So I was hearing my coaches and running as fast as I could."

A three-sport athlete who will play softball at Georgian Court University next year, Hughes has been the difference maker and catalyst all season for the Tigers. With a .516 batting average entering Thursday’s game, the center fielder turned shortstop once again proved to be invaluable.

“She gets everything going,” Panzarella said. "She gets a hit, starts stealing, you bunt her over, get a sac fly and then all of a sudden you’re up 1-0. She’s everything as far as offense goes, and she does it all. She’s a special kind of kid.”

From the pitcher’s circle, senior right-hander Katherine Vill struggled a bit early on, allowing a lead off triple and one run to cross the plate in the first inning. With the Tigers in an early hole, Vill settled down significantly and dominated the rest of the way. Vill allowed one run and three total base runners from the second inning on.

“I started getting settled in knowing who was up and where I had to pitch the ball,” Vill said. “I was very confident with the lead. They got those runs for me, so now I have to do my job for them.”

Staff Writer Daniel LoGiudice can be reached at dlogiudice@gannettnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @danny_logiudice.