VILL SCORES ON FITZHARRIS SAC FLY, CONFORTI 8 K’S
Large fan bases, thrilling defensive plays, crafty offensive maneuvers and two strong pitching performances highlighted the showdown for the Central Jersey, Group 2 Championship between the fifth-seeded Delran Bears and the third-seeded AL Johnson Crusaders at Clark on June 1. The final three innings featured a seesaw of emotions but in the end, it was the Crusaders who came out on top when they scored twice in the bottom of the seventh inning to claim a 4-3 triumph and the crown.
The Delran Bears began their journey to the title game by knocking off Raritan, Holmdel and Bordentown, respectively, while the Crusaders ousted Delaware Valley and Manasquan before knocking off the second-seeded Governor Livingston Highlanders, 5-2, in the semifinals.
Crusader freshman pitcher Cassie Conforti tossed a three-hitter, while walking three and striking out eight Bears. Arianna Martinez was her biggest nightmare with a three-run double in the top of the sixth inning. Emma LaCour singled and her courtesy runner Ellie Haskell scored once. Gianna Kroeplin also singled. Elaina Faux walked twice and scored once. Olivia Stroebel walked and scored once.
Delran pitcher Olivia Powell yielded seven hits and two intentional walks, while striking out four Crusaders. Lacey Vill went 2-for-3 and scored the winning run when Liz Fitzharris (1-for-3) lofted an RBI sacrifice fly to centerfield in the seventh inning. Krista LaBianca went 2-for-3 and her courtesy runner Ava Todaro scored once. Shannon Lancellotti went 1-for-3 and her courtesy runner Jill Duffy scored twice. Conforti rapped a double. Madden Puerari and Addison Meyer each knocked in a run. Liz Yanni and Gianna Calleja were both intentionally walked.
Both pitchers were extremely stingy for the first three innings. Conforti yielded just a walk in the first inning, while Powell retired all nine Crusaders she faced. The first threat came in the topofthefourth.AfterLaCourgrounded out to third, Kroeplin sliced a single by first base. Faux walked to put runners on first and second with one out. Martinez popped out to second then Conforti struck out Maddie Speigel.
The 20-11 Crusaders threatened in the bottom of the fourth.Yanni popped up to the shortstop then Fitzharris laid down a perfect bunt single. The left-handed batter LaBianca went the other way with a single down the leftfield line. Powell got tough and struck out Conforti and Puerari.
In the Crusader fifth, Lancellotti lined a single to center. Duffy replaced her on base. Vill pulled off a five-foot bunt single as Duffy dashed around second and made it to third, setting up a first and third situation. Vill stole second which drew a short throw to Martinez, the shortstop, in an effort to nail Duffy at the plate. It was too late and the Crusaders led, 1-0.
The 16-10 Delran Bears’ offense got into the action in a very big way in the top of the sixth. Stroemel led off with a free pass and LaCour hopped a single up the middle. With Kroeplin at the plate, both runners advanced on a passed ball. Conforti fanned Kroeplin for the first out then intentionally walked Faux to load the bases. Martinez stepped to the plate and slammed her base-loaded double to right-centerfield to put the Bears in front 3-1. Speigel grounded out to short then Fitzharris in centerfield made a spectacular chest sliding grab of Halley Rookstool’s low liner for the third out.
After Fitzharris lined out to short in the Crusader sixth, LaBianca hacked a single past first and was replaced by courtesy runner Todaro. Conforti yanked a double to left putting runners in scoring position. Puerari tapped a grounder to short. Todaro scored as the throw went to first for the putout. Then the first baseman fired to third in time to nail Conforti for the third out.
Conforti got Spano to ground out back to the mound in the Delran seventh then struck out the next two batters. The Crusader seventh began with Lancellotti’s grounder back to the mound that was misplayed. Duffy replaced Lancellotti on first. Vill laid down a bunt single which drew a bad throw as Duffy sped to third base. Meyer followed with an RBI sacrifice fly to right field and Vill advanced to third. Powell intentionally walked Calleja and Yanni to load the bases. Fitzharris’ fly ball to centerfield was caught. Vill sprinted to the plate and beat the throw to earn the Crusaders the Central Jersey, Group 2 crown.
The Crusaders would next host Gloucester the South Group 2 champions on June 4 in the Group 2 semifinals.
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