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Softball

Jessica Fox at bat for Morris Knolls in the top of the third inning.

Chominsky bunt lifts Golden Eagles in eighth inning

CRANFORD _ The Morris Knolls softball team went through a year's worth of emotions in a Group III semifinal versus Cranford. There was the possibility of disappointment because of lighting then heavy rain when the Golden Eagles were warming up. The delay brought on uncertainty. Early on, there was immense joy as Morris Knolls posted three first-inning runs and tacked on seven more in the third inning. Later, there was dread and, no doubt, queasiness as the Cougars chipped away at what seemed like a safe 10-run lead, uttimately tying the score in the bottom of the seventh inning. In…
Morris Knolls gained its fifth sectional championship on Saturday, June 3, 2023.

Tight squeeze: Knolls takes sectional title, 1-0

ROXBURY _ Abby Freidman refused to give in to the moment. Instead, Friedman helped Morris Knolls earn one of its biggest wins ever in the Golden Eagles proud softball history. Friedman pitched out of jams, leaving a runner stranded in scoring position at second base in the sixth and third base in the seventh, and scattered four hits, struck out three and walked three to lead second-seeded Morris Knolls past top-seeded Roxbury, 1-0, in the North 1, Group III championship game on Saturday, June 3. "I'm just happy I can contribute in any way I can," said Freidman, a senior…
Wildcats top Verona in 10 innings

Wildcats top Verona in 10 innings

VERONA _ The pitching motion employed by Verona's pitcher, Emily Esposito, messed with the timing of Whippany Park's batters. Esposito would make a circle, bring her hands together and fire. Most often, the Hillbillies' ace would throw a deceptive drop which caused the Wildcats to hit grounders. Finally, Whippany Park was rapping out hits but not in succession. Once the Wildcats solved Esposito, they thrived. Whippany Park analyzed the offensive situation and, in the end, reached her for 14 hits en route to a 6-2 victory in a marathon 10-inning Nprth Jersey Section 2, Group I semifinal on Wednesday, May…
The Crusaders' Sofia Reisinger connects for a bases-clearing double in the second inning of the 2023 Morris County Softball Tournament final.

Reisinger, Crusaders clinch second MCT crown

ROXBURY _ Morris Catholic's Sofia Reisinger doesn't engage in activities outside of softball. "I have no time for anything else," said Reisinger, a 14-year-old freshman. But Reisinger doesn't mind that her life, literally, is devoted to one sport. She spends endless hours honing her skills. Reisinger plays club ball on an Intensity 14-And-Under team, traveling to tournaments around the country, and engages in speed and agility training. Anything to make herself better. Pressure situations, of course, don't faze her because she's probably been there before. On Saturday night, May 13, she experienced one of the most tension-filled moments of her…
Hailey Errichiello was solid in the circle and at the plate in the 2023 MCT Softball Tournament semifinals.

MC, Roxbury will meet in MCT final

ROXBURY  _ In the big scheme of things, scoring a second run early on wouldn't seem like much to get excited about. However, for Roxbury, whose bats have been ailing recently, witnessing Lexi Lynch cross the plate in the second inning of its Morris County Tournament semifinal against Morris Knolls, was a major event. The second-seeded Gaels finally made contact and were productive again, breaking out for three hits in their first two at-bats. And, the hits and runs kept coming, enabling Roxbury to defeat the third-seeded Golden Eagles 7-1 at Landing Park on Wednesday, May 10. In the other…
Charlotte Tuhy is the Madison softball team's ace.

Madison softball aiming for another upset

MADISON _ At a glance, the Madison softball team's record and performance for much of the 2023 season would be considered lackluster. The Dodgers' chances of upsetting top-seeded Morris Catholic in a Morris County Tournament semifinal after two losses to the non-public powerhouse? In the minds of many, highly unlikely. But that's not how Madison coach Jess Schulien sees it. Schulien feels her team "made the turn" after shocking defending champion Montville, 3-2, in a MCT quarterfinal on Saturday, May 6. Tonight, May 10, the 12th-seeded Dodgers (8-8) will clash with the top-seeded Crusaders at 7:30 p.m. at Landing Park…
Morris Knolls center fielder Sofia Cruz, third from left, is congratulated by teammates after making an over-the-fence catch to deprive Randolph of a home run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Cruz's catch saves Morris Knolls in MCT

DENVILLE _ Sofia Cruz's catch for the second out in the top of the seventh inning was spectacular, seemingly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. However, it wasn't anything new. Cruz, Morris Knolls' freshman center fielder, had actually made the same - or very similar catches - while working with assistant coach Jolyn Veres in practice. The edge-of-your seat, body-bent-over-the-fence backhanded grab by Cruz deprived Randolph's Autumn Liebhauser of a home run and helped ensure that the Golden Eagles would emerge with a 5-3 victory over the Rams in a Morris County Softball Tournament quarterfinal on Saturday, May 6. "I had a few…
Falcons split at Blue & Gold

Falcons split at Blue & Gold

POMPTON PLAINS _ It looks like another exceptional year for the Jefferson High School Softball Team. Powered by Katie Kopera and Kylie Plunkett, the Falcons had an overall strong performance against two quality schools from Bergen County in Pequannock's Blue & Gold Tournament. The Falcons (3-1) split two games at the tournament on Saturday, April 8 at the Hillview Elementary School, falling by 3-1 to Indian Hills, now 4-0, before defeating Northern Highlands, 7-4, by rallying for four runs in the top of the seventh after trailing 4-3 going into the final frame. Behind by 4-1 after two innings and…
Hannah Streicher gets set to deliver in the state final last season. Streicher began the 2023 campaign with a no-hitter against Pequannock.

Formidable trio spurs MC in opener

PEQUANNOCK _ Jess Brown, Hannah Streicher and Kate Heslin will combine forces to be integral parts of a very potent Morris Catholic softball team duing the 2023 season. The Crusaders' talented trio of leaders made a major impact on opening day, Monday, April 3, when they led their team to a 4-0 victory over Pequannock in NJAC-Liberty Division game. Brown, a senior center fielder, went 3 for 4 with two stolen bases and two runs scored and now has 101 hits in her illustrious career at Morris Catholi. That's in just two years plus one game after missing the 2020…
Gaels keep Steinert at bay

Gaels keep Steinert at bay

  NEWARK _ It was a reaffirmation of true team-building spirit as well as a morale and confidence-boosting experience, one that will last a lifetime for the Roxbury softball team.   The Gaels, who took a 5-0 lead, were able to hold off a late rally by Steinert and record a 6-4 victoty in the Group III title game on Saturday, June 4 at Seton Hall University's Ivy Hill Park.The championship was the first for Roxbury (24-4) in three decades.   Sophomore right-hander Hailey Errichiello threw a masterful complete-game four-hitter for the Gaels, allowing three earned runs while striking out 15 and walking three.…
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