“We went 10-4 in Region 19 play and finished third in the conference playoffs,” CCM coach Greg Wardlow said. “We played an extremely difficult schedule and we were competitive with the top teams in the region.
“I believe at the end of the season, our pitching and defense may have been the best in the region.”
Two Titans players - first baseman Vicky DelPolito of Jefferson and shortstop Meganne Smith of Branchville – were named to the All-Region 19 First Team. DelPolito and Smith served as co-captains.
DelPolito, a standout defensive player, completed her CCM career with many records. She is in the top 10 lifetime for at-bats, hits, doubles and RBIs.
“Vicky was excellent defensively,” Wardlow said of DelPolito, who will continue her academics and athletics at William Paterson University. “She made very few errors. She and Meganne led on and off the field and will be tough to replace.”
Smith, headed to Centenary College, hit .345 as a freshman and .339 as a sophomore. Like DelPolito, she in the career top 10 for at-bats, hits, doubles and RBIs.
Jefferson’s Jenna Bessemer had a stellar freshman year. The lefty slapper, an outfielder, was selected to the All-Region 19 Second Team. Bessemer led CCM with a .387 batting average and stole 20 bases.
“Jenna is an aggressive outfielder and baserunner and, even though she had a great season, she is relatively new to slapping and should only be better next year,” Wardlow said.
Caitlin Ross, a pitcher from New Providence, joined Bessemer on second team.
Several other local players – Sparta’s Casey Brennan, Morris Knolls High School graduate Cassie Pollari and Jasmine Gomez of Montville, wrapped up fine careers for CCM.
Brennan, also a member of the volleyball team, led the Titans in home runs. She was chosen the school’s top athlete and is going on to William Paterson, where she will play volleyball.
Pollari batted .293 and swiped 12 bases. Wardlow lauded Pollari for her top-notch play in center field.
“Cassie has been a great team player,” Wardlow said. “She hustles all the time and set a great example for our freshman outfielders.”
Gomez, who played scholastically at Paramus Catholic, started for two years. The third baseman, Gomez was an exceptional leadoff hitter with an on-base percentage of .470. She established the career record for walks with 53.
Freshmen making an impact were Randolph’s Brittany Kerwick, Butler’s Cameron Miller and Nicole Lipinski, Wallkill Valley’s Carley Mangine and West Orange’s Grace Tirella.
Kerwick, off to Hofstra in the fall, started at second base. Miller, an outfielder, hit .293 despite missing 12 games with a hand injury. Miller possesses a good combination of speed and power.
Lipinski (.298, 10 doubles) split time between pitching and catching. Mangine , a first baseman/outfielder, knocked in 19 runs. Tirella, a lefty slapper, batted .344.
