IHC challenge - softball

Here's two of the first 4 games held in Randolph today. There were eight games total.

Come back Sunday and check www.MCHSS.net for updates and the week in review. The Chatham-Morristown game was an instant classic. We'll have that up on Sunday too!

For now it's all about softball:

The IHC Challenge – 1st set of games.

Year after year, the IHC Challenge seems to bring out the best. The opening first set of games in this softball extravaganza proved no different. Eight teams met in Randolph and each game was as exciting as the next. Three of the first four games were won in the final at bat, two in extra innings.



Morris Hills 2 – Montville 1 -- This seemed to be the match-up of the day and the game everyone was waiting for. Montville was just coming off a tough 3-2 loss to Essex-power Caldwell and Morris Hills freshly off a 4-0 victory over IHC foe Chatham. This one had all the makings of a classic softball match-up and the softball faithful at Brundage were given simply that. The Scarlet Knights pulled off a final-at-bat victory, edging the Mustangs 2-1. Coach Nieman gave the call to freshman Melissa O’Connor. The rookie gave the Mustangs all they could handle. Montville did manage seven hits, but could only muster one run in the first. O’Connor struck out five and was aided with a bit of strong defense through the game.

Montville struck first I the top of the first. Lead batter, Kristin D'Arienzo drove a rocket into centerfield and advanced to third on an error. A two out double by senior catcher Stephanie Malgeri gave the Mustangs a 1-0 lead. Morris Hills pressured in the bottom of the first, but the Mustangs worked their way of a one-out, bases loaded jam. Montville had to hold off the Knights again in the bottom of the second. Samantha Boccolini, who singled to lead off the 2nd, was at third with bases load and two outs. Mustang’s pitcher Candace Harrison fielded a ground ball and got the force at home, ending the Scarlet Knight’s threat.

Montville mounted a two-out rally in the 3rd, only to have O’Connor record her third strikeout of the game, second of the inning. The Mustangs received a two-out single from Amanda Meytrott and Malgeri, only to be stranded at third. Senior Pitcher Candace Harrison lead off the 6th with a triple, but O’Conner continued to masterfully force ground balls and allow the Morris Hills’ defense chances to keep the runner at third.

Morris Hills tied the game at one in the bottom of the fifth. Senior Shortstop Taryn Fernicola reached on a fielder’s choice and later scored the Scarlet’s Knights’ 1st run. Fernicola belted a one out triple in the 7th and later scored on a single by 1st baseman Michelle Bauer. The Scarlet Knights could only muster 5 hits on the day, but the two in the bottom of the seventh were the most damaging.





Randolph 9 – Dover 8 (8 innings) -- Randolph opened the day against Dover on the same field that hosts the MCT. The Tigers jumped to a 3-0 lead in the top of the second. Junior catcher Casey Boyle led off with a single. Shortstop Nicole Suaza blasted a triple scoring Boyle. Leftfielder Nicole Trowbridge reached base and later scored. The Rams took one back in the bottom of the second as sophomore Stephanie Crook reached on a walk, then scored as teammate Holly Piascik received a bases-loaded walk.

The Rams left the bases loaded in the first and second innings, and runners at 2nd, 3rd & 7th, as well as on 2nd & 3rd in the third inning. Randolph took the lead in the bottom of the fourth. The Rams went up 4-3 as Brittany Kerwick, Megan Donlon and Holly Piascik all scored. Kerwick lead off the inning with a walk. Donlon singled. Piascik doubled scoring two. Sophomore Rachel Klauber singled home Piascik.

Dover came right back. With one out, Caitlin Lally walked. A single by Elina Rallo set up Casey Boyle two-RBI triple. The Rams executed the long relay to near perfection and caught Rallo at home, spoiling the long-ball homerun. This play, amongst many, proved to be very decisive in the Rams victory.

The Tigers looked to put the game in the top of the 7th exploding for three more runs. Kristen Wollny led of the inning with a single. O’Connell’s home run with no outs increased Dover’s lead to 7-4. Casey Boyle followed with a two out Home run to give Dover an 8-4 lead going into the bottom of the 7th.

Randolph began the late heroics with singles by Samantha Agostinelli and Crook. Dana Zweibel and Donlon walked. All four Rams scored in the bottom of the 7th to tie it up at eight.

Zweibel would then reach in the bottom of the 8th with a one out walk. Holly Piascik hit a bomb scoring Zweibel and is credited with a single and the game winning RBI.

Test

I’m trying out a new video outlet. Here’s a 3-minute video of my dogs that I put together to see how this all works. This has nothing to do with HS Sports.


Elle & Mandy - Click here for the funniest movie of the week

A few notes

You seriously need to check out MCHSS.net. The site is outrageous (if I say so myself). We have lax, baseball, track and softball coverage up from this busy and cold spring break week.

Here are some nifty notes from this week:

Softball Coach John Immediato won his 100th games as head coach at Montville. This is Coach Immediato’s seventh season and the win came over St. Elizabeth’s. Coach and his wife also brought their second child into the World *of Morris County Sports* this weekend. Congrats coach! You are a class act and huge benefit to Montville and Morris County Sports!

Softball Coach Kim Jackson won her first varsity game as head coach of Kinnelon as the Colts upset Verona 4-1.


Here are a few snap shots from Chatham v. Pingry Girls Lax:

Monday with Mountain Lakes Lax

From our friends at NJSportsImages.com: The Ridge H.S. Lacrosse team gave Mountain Lakes all they could handle on Monday. The Lakers Squeeked out a 12-11. The Lakers of Mountain Lakes walked away with a win in double overtime edging the Red Devils of Ridge High School 12-11 in this high scoring girls lacrosse game played in Basking Ridge, NJ. It was probably the most exciting game we have seen so far this year. The win could have gone to either team during the second half and in both over time periods.

See all of our results, recaps and video highlights at: www.MCHSS.net

Our feature articles from 4-9:

• Baseball: Morris Hills 2 - Par Hills 1
• Baseball: Roxbury 12 - Morristown 2
• Boys Lax: Mendham 9 - Jefferson 6

Monday's Slate

Wow, it’s still cold. I guess you don’t need me to tell you that … but it is! Hope you enjoyed the weekend.

You can always find records (conference & overall) for Baseball (and a new top 10) & Softball. As long as the games are reported to the papers or I get legitimate score reports from coaches, I’ll have results posted for Baseball & Softball and Lacrosse. These are games only involving Morris County schools and give you an easy, 24-hour a day reference.

Monday offers a great slate of games, let’s take a look:

Baseball games of interest:

Kinnelon at Verona: Look for Bierman to get second start in an important CHC game.

Seton Hall Prep at Morris Knolls: Rick Porcello (Sports Illustrated Article), a Chester native, should be on the mound as the Golden Eagles have every reason to make their first of 2007 a very memorable one.

Morristown at Roxbury: The spotlight is on Morristown and why not? It has been noted to me, by a few county coaches that Roxbury is definitely a contender for the IHC-Iron with Randolph and Seton Hall Prep. These are big words considering the expectations for those two teams. This should be a great game to watch.

Par Hills at Morris Hills: Every IHC game will be important, but look for this to be an instant classic as these two meet in Rockaway.

Mt. Olive at West Morris: West Morris is 0-2 … a tough schedule to someone that hasn’t been paying attention could make you over look the Highlanders. Don’t be fooled. I’ll just say it again, every IHC clash make for great baseball.

West Essex at Mendham: The Minuteman must be excited to finally be playing game #1. The Scarlet Knights are a question mark until we see them play. Mendham has exciting hurler Fred Orchard on the mound in the Hills Division match up.

Jefferson at Montville: A night game in scenic Montville. This out of conference match up should be fun to watch, although I prefer 3:00 games when it’s supposed to be 48 degrees as opposed to 7 pm when it’s a COLD 39! Either way, you have to love the night time atmosphere that is created under the lights.

Softball games of interest:

Villa Walsh at Madison: The Dodgers will get to meet the freshman chucker from Villa. Madison is capable of challenge the traditional upper tear team in the NHC and Morris County. This is a great test early on.

Randolph at Livingston: The Rams gave up 7 runs in one inning and Mt. Olive took advantage. Here’s a chance for Randolph to regroup as they meet a new look Livingston team that was hit hard by graduation.

Caldwell at Pequannock: In the preseason write, I, somehow, did not mention Pequannock as a team with the toughest schedule. Besides the rough and tough Northern Hills conference, the Panthers knocked heads with two top 20-worthy teams and await a loaded Caldwell squad today. This one has the makings of another instant classic, as this match up has created one of the best softball rivalries in the state.

Morris Catholic at Newark Academy: I definitely was shocked that Newark Academy was back in the picture as a Top Essex County Team. I was shocked that they entered the always loaded MSD tournament, but they proved that they are ready to compete. This is test and a good measuring stick for the Crusaders who have outscored their opponents 39-0 thus far. Pitching for Morris Catholic is solid, game like this are won in the field.

Mendham at West Essex: As you know, Mendham (who has had great seasons piling up the past few years) is on the path to their best year yet. West Essex has a ton back from last years team that won North Jersey Group 2, Section team.

Boys Lacrosse:

Jefferson at Mendham: Jefferson is off to a 2-0 start. Mendham responded from an opening loss to Mtn Lakes with a 8-5 win over Morristown and a 15-3 victory over Livingston. Looks like MorrisCountyVarsity.net will be at the morning match-up.

Hanover Regional at West Essex: Hanover opened a few eyes giving Seton Hall Prep all they could handle. Park Regional battled through their extremely tough schedule last season and maybe ready for a break out season.

Morristown at Randolph: Randolph responded from an opening loss to Delbarton and cannot over look a scrappy and tough Morristown team. This should be a fun game to watch.

Girls Lacrosse:

Caldwell at Madison: Madison should be strong and this should be a early test for the Dodgers. This looks like it’s the season opener for both schools.

Morris Hills at Clifton: How incredible would it be if Morris Hills would win their first game toady at Clifton? This is the first game at the Varsity level for the Scarlet Knights and a win is very possible.

Tennis:

Hanover Park at Chatham: Could be a great match for two teams looking to make noise in the IHC.

Special side note:

My entire life, I have always loved reading the comics and the sports page with a bowl of cereal of a cup of coffee. This is a religious everyday ritual for me since I was 10 or 11. It is only fitting that I send my thought out to a man who made me smile every day:

Johnny Hart, cartoonist for “B.C.” and my favorite “The Wizard of Id” died at age 76.

CNN Article from the Associate Press