ROXBURY _ Daniella Biggio, Lauren Kideckel and Julie Kobilarcik played fearlessly as freshmen when Montville claimed its first Morris County Tournament title in 2022.

Now, six weeks before graduation, the elite trio, all four-year starters, are on the verge of adding to the Mustangs' softball history.

Seventh-seeded Montville rode the pitching of Biggio and the offensive contributions of Kideckel and Kobilarcik to a 2-0 win over Jefferson, known for its lethal lineup, in MCT semifinal action on Wednesday, May 7 at Landing Park.

"They have the experience of being here," Mustangs coach John Immediato said. "They know  what it takes. They're great leaders and are helping the other girls along."

They certainly do know the ins and outs of high-stakes games and their expertise was evident versus the Falcons.

Biggio, a senior right-hander, fired a three-hitter, striking out seven, to extend her unscored-upon streak to 50 innings. Kideckel and Kobilarcik combined for five of Montville's seven hits and a RBI.

"I'm so excited about the final," Biggio said. "It's great to be back. We started out with a county title. We could close out with one."

Intent on squashing that dream is Morris Knolls, which upended top-seeded and defending champion Morris Catholic, 3-1, in the other semifinal. The Golden Eagles rapped out eight hits, stole nine bases and relied on their short game to gain a berth in the MCT final, which will be held on Saturday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m., also at Landing Park.

Biggio, who played second base as a ninth grader, was in command once again in the circle, utilizing a deceptive riser and exceptional screwball to keep Jefferson's batters in check. The Falcons (15-2) singled four times off Biggio, with the first hit coming with one out in the fifth inning. In the sixth inning, there were two more hits. Jefferson had two runners on (error, single) in the bottom of the seventh but did not capitalize.

"Tonight's win isn't just a testament to my pitching," Biggio said. "The team was behind me. We've grown so much. The defense has been really tough. We're playing for each other. We had confidence. We knew we had to get ahead."

Montville (13-3) applied pressure in its first at-bat. However, it left runners on first and third. In the second inning, two more Mustangs reached base. Hannah Friedmann blasted a shot to the outfield that was tracked down and caught by Falcons right fielder Maddy Manco for the second out. Montville got on the scoreboard in the third inning, though, as freshman Emily Wolleon drove in a run with a base hit to left field.

"I've been pretty consistent," said Wolleon, the left fielder who went 2 for 3. "I've been hitting balls in the gaps recently. Being up with runners on is nothing new. I've been in those spots before."

Wolleon's father, Vincent, has worked with her on her batting and she always steps into the batter's box with a plan.

"My dad tells me not to be too early on the ball," she noted.

Immediato has known Wolleon since she was 6 years old and had her in class. He's pleased with the impact she's made.

"We were waiting for her," Immediato said. "She's done all I can ask for."

The other Montville run crossed the plate in the top of the seventh. Ashlynn Neretich led off the a base hit and a sac bunt moved her to second. She came around on Kideckel's double to left center field off Falcons' ace Kama Skrek.

Morris Knolls (12-3) wasted no time in asserting itself. Taylor Heinemann led off the game with a walk and stole second. With two outs, cleanup batter Emily Rolph lashed a run-producing single for 1-0. In the second inning with two outs, Charlotte Dyer tripled for 2-0. Dyer, the No. 9 batter, also doubled in the sixth inning off a first-pitch offering by Morris Catholic lefty Sofia Reisinger.

"I normally bunt but I knew I had to do something," Dyer said. "I need to step up as a senior. I hit better against better pitching."

At the completion of four innings, the Golden Eagles were up, 3-0. That third run scored on Sofia Cruz's bunt. Kayla Doyle doubled and her pinch runner swiped third to set the table for Cruz.

In the fourth and fifth, Morris Knolls, which garnered its sixth MCT title in 2019, had more chances. Emily Rolf and her sister, Kaylee, doubled in the fifth but no one came in and, in the sixth, the Golden Eagles loaded the bases with one out yet were unable to expand their lead.

"We had so many opportunities," Morris Knolls coach Keith Heinemann said. "We didn't execute on a couple of things. Sofia is a very good pitcher. She's been here before. She knows this moment."

Doyle, the Golden Eagles starting hurler, encountered trouble twice in the game and Heinemann called on Julia Fox to come in from second base. In the fifth, Fox entered with the bases loaded and no one out. After getting the first out, she issued a full-count walk for the Crusaders' lone run. A line drive and strikeout ensued. Doyle returned in the sixth before yielding to Fox again with no outs and one on in the bottom of the seventh. An error moved the runners to first and third. A popup and two Ks ended the game.

"That's the first time Julia was in twice," Heinemann said. "She sometimes closes for us. She was in two tight situations and was able to get out of them. She's tough mentally."

Fox's efforts were much appreciated by Doyle.

"Our coach knows when to switch people," Doyle said. "I like having Julia come in. I can go out there and, if I'm not doing so great, Julia will pick me up."

There was another exceptional play made in the outfield in this game, too. Morris Catholic's right fielder, Ava Capezza, made a diving catch in foul territory for the first out of the seventh inning.