Missed opportunties, errors add up to 7-0 loss
By: Rudy Brandl
Hillsborough No. 1 had to put everything together to have a shot at beating the Jersey Inferno in last week’s Senior League softball semifinals at Ann Van Middlesworth Park. Unfortunately, the team didn’t hit and made a few crucial errors that helped the Inferno post a 7-0 victory and stop Hillsborough’s run of Senior League championships at two.
The Inferno took advantage of five Hillsborough errors, which led to seven runs. Losing pitcher Nicole Johnson allowed only four hits but didn’t get the necessary support from the offense or defense. A seasoned team of All-Stars like the Inferno, which includes Hillsborough’s Kenzie Farneski and Lauren Scrocca, will take advantage of mistakes.
"They played themselves out of it," Hillsborough coach Bill Foelsch said. "It was just too many errors. We had two two-run errors. That’s four of the seven runs right there."
Johnson blanked the Inferno in the first two frames but gave up two runs in the third and fourth innings. She struck out three and walked three in six innings of work.
"Nicole did a great job," Foelsch said. "They’re a good team. They put the ball in play and we made some key errors."
The Inferno opened the third inning with a single, sacrifice and walk to put runners on first and second. The next batter reached on an error that allowed the first two runs to score.
Two errors led to two more unearned runs in the fourth inning. Scrocca, the Inferno first baseman, did the damage with a two-run double down the left field line for a 4-0 lead. Farneski, the Inferno shortstop, added an RBI single in the sixth when the winners closed the scoring with three more runs.
Hillsborough wasted a few chances to score, stranding runners at third base in three different innings. Hillsborough left seven runners on base during the game.
The best chance came in the top of the third with the game still scoreless. Valerie Lavoie walked, Megan McInaw singled and Laurie Pfister reached on an error following an attempted sacrifice bunt. The bases were loaded with no outs but the next three Hillsborough batters struck out.
"We just couldn’t generate anything," said Foelsch, who was disappointed that his club fanned 11 times in the game. "Their pitcher focused in and shut us down."
Stephanie Soffer singled and moved to third with two outs in the second inning but remained there. Jenna Wolff stroked a leadoff single in the fourth, advanced to third on two ground outs but didn’t score. Vanessa Tumminia smacked a one-out single in the seventh but was stranded at second base.
"We stranded too many runners and struck out more than I would like," Foelsch said.
Tumminia played another solid game at shortstop. She ranged deep into the hole and fired to first base for an out to produce Hillsborough’s defensive highlight of the game. Third baseman Becky Sullivan added some nice running catches.
Despite these plays and a well-pitched game, the Hillsborough team was eliminated from the Senior League playoffs.