By: Rich Fisher
It might go down as the most stunning softball wins in Cranbury School history.
Exactly one month after being pummeled by New Egypt, 15-3, the Vikings turned the tables last Thursday as Hannah Zink drove in the winning run in the bottom of the seventh to give Cranbury a 2-1 victory.
"This was easily the most exciting game of the year," said coach Cathy Elliott, whose team knocked off one of the true powers in Central Jersey. "It was totally a team effort."
Cranbury’s Deanna Boehm and New Egypt’s Morgan Knigge locked horns in a pitcher’s duel for seven innings. New Egypt carried a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh, when Boehm led off with a walk and went to third when the rightfielder misplayed a hit by Nicole Powell. Boehm scored on a wild pitch and Powell advanced to third. One out later, Sink lined a two-strike pitch into centerfield to plate the winning run.
Catcher Carly O’Brien picked off one runner and gunned down two others trying to steal. O’Brien threw out baserunners in each of the first seven games.
That was the fifth straight win in a streak that would reach seven before the Vikings dropped a 4-2 decision to Pond Road on Tuesday. Cranbury was clinging to a 2-1 lead until the top of the sixth, when the Knights tied it. The visitors scored the winning runs in the seventh, dropping the Vikings to 7-3. Kate Johnson led the Vikings at the plate by going 2-for-3.
"I’m very proud of this team" assistant coach Dave Boehm said. "They got 10-run ruled by this team a month ago and have really come a long way.
"They can hold their heads high, they don’t quit and always give 100 percent. What more can any coach ask for?"
One day earlier, the Vikes nailed their seventh straight with a 10-2 win over Immaculate Conception of Spotswood. Cranbury jumped to an early lead, scoring four runs in the first and cruising from there. Sarah DiLella went 4-for-4 with three RBI and Arienna Joyce was 3-for-4 with five RBI during the Vikes 12-hit attack. Boehm struck out 13 to gain the victory.
Last Friday, the Vikes defeated Crossroads of South Brunswick, 8-1, again using a four-run first to spring out to victory. Joyce had an RBI single in the first-inning uprising, while Lexi Stasi had a bases loaded walk and Veronica Spann hit a two-run single.
The Vikes tacked on runs in the second and third on an RBI single by DiLella and a ground out by Spann. Angela Cao completed the scoring with a two-run single. Boehm struck out 10 in going the distance.
TENNIS
The Viking netters played Hun to a 2-2 tie last Thursday, with the fifth and deciding match ending in a draw as time ran out. Leading the winners were the second doubles team of Matt Keele and Patrick Stehn, who won 6-2, 6-1.
"They dynamic duo, who earned their nickname in sixth grade, are the perfect doubles team," said coach Susan Paterson, who coaches the Vikings along with Barbara Rogers. "They complement each other in style and temperament, and during a game they keep each other pumped. I admire their determined effort on the court, like never giving up during a point. They are a fun team to watch."
And, apparently, they have fun while people are watching them.
"I am grateful that Mrs. Paterson gave me a chance to prove myself back in the 6th grade," Stehn said. " She thought Matt Keele and I had a great connection on the court and we do, we have fun when we play.
"We are competitive but do not cross the line. It’s only middle school, we are supposed to have fun. I think being passionate and having heart go a long way. Most coaches go for all skill, leaving some great players behind."
Also chipping in with a win were 6th-graders Manik Bhatia and Preston Kung, who won 6-3, 3-6 and a 7-1 tiebreaker.
"The boys have found a good fit as partners with Manik being a steady and encouraging partner with Preston," Paterson said.
Amanda Chen and Kevin Qui played the toughest match of the day at first doubles and went down 6-1, 6-0. Eighth- graders Andrew Pelle and Tim Beach also had a difficult time against two seasoned players and lost 6-4, 6-2.
The unfinished match was played well by John Marsh and 6th grader Kartheek Tummula who came on strong in the first set winning 6-4, but then the competition heated up and they ended at 5-5.
JV team successfully swept all their matches against Hun.
TRACK & FIELD
The Vikings got several outstanding performances last week in a dual meet with New Egypt and Millstone.
In the girls 100 meters, Sarah Li ran a 14.1, Angela French and Jen Petrucelli clocked a 14.2 and Taylor Blair had a 14.5. In the girls 4×100 relay, French, Blair, Mackenzie Boschitsch and Sarah DiLella ran a winning time of 2:58.3.
In the boy’s 4×100, a second- place time of 2:21 was turned in by Mike Brennan, Adam Pavley, Peter Sockler and Steven Hellstern. In the boy’s 800, Hellstern had a 2:21.
Victoria Cassidy had an outstanding day, winning the 1600 in 6:34.
"She took first place in almost every competition," coach Jay Gilligan said. "She’s an outstanding athlete who will run until she drops."
In the 1600, Tommy Sorrentino, Emily Schraudenbach and Kim Palagyi also ran well.
In the weight events, the boys swept the shot and discus behind the efforts of Joe Kirkiner, Drew Reifinger, Omar Yousef and Dave Keyser. For the girls, Cara Vincelette won the shot and was third in the disc, while Felicia Wang and Alexa Reifinger also competed well.
Hellstern and Matt Golubieski finished 1-2 in the boys high jump, while Morgan Lea won the girls event. Maddy Lea and French also performed well.
BASEBALL
The Vikings hardballers got two hits and an RBI from Scott Schwarz, but it wasn’t enough as Immaculate took a 3-1 win over the Vikings Monday. Colin Graydon added a double and Steve Jacobi had a single. Matt Weidner pitched well in defeat.
In a 6-0 loss to Crossroads, Billy Wiseman, Alex Charwin and Anthony Donadio each had singles.

