By: Kyle Moylan
The Allentown High School softball team had the kind of opening game one might expect from a defending state champion.
It was the second game when things got a bit out of whack.
Playing against two teams that finished last season among the top ranked teams in the state, Allentown came away with a win and a loss in its first week of play. It defeated Nutley, 10-0, on Sunday. This past Monday in the home opener, Allentown was defeated by Steinert, 10-3.
"We were feeling really good after the Nutley game," Allentown Coach Bob Dubina said. "Maybe we needed this (the loss to Steinert). We were taking some things for granted."
The strange thing about the one-sided loss to Steinert was the fact Allentown led 1-0 after three innings and 3-2 after four. Allentown just could not stop Steinert’s offense in the later stages of the game.
"Alyssa Ellerson pitched great (on Sunday)," Dubina said. "The thing is she hasn’t thrown back-to-back before. She was tired and we didn’t help her at all (on defense)."
Defensive miscues helped Steinert score two runs in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings. Steinert also added four runs in the sixth inning.
Ellerson had given Allentown an early lead by doubling home Brittany Bakacs in the first inning. Jen Richard also came through with a two-run, two-out single in the fourth.
"We did swing the bats well," Dubina said. "Rand is a good pitcher and we hit her. Hopefully, that will be our M.O. this season. We are going to hit."
Allentown certainly hit during the season opener against Nutley. Allentown was particularly impressive at the top of the order. Erin Kelley, the leadoff batter, was 5-for-5 with four runs scored. Richard was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. And Brittany Bakacs was 3-for-5 with three runs scored and three RBI. One of Bakacs’ hits was a homer.
This trio continued their hitting against Steinert. Kelley was 2-for-3 and is now 7-for-8 for the season. Richard was 2-for-4 against Steinert and Bakacs was 1-for-3 with a walk.
Kristin Taft also had a good game against Nutley, going 3-for-4 with two RBI.
This was more than enough offense for Ellerson, who struck out 10 batters and limited Nutley to just two hits.
"For her first varsity game, Alyssa Ellerson pitched great," Dubina noted.
With today’s schedule game against Robbinsville rescheduled for April 14, Allentown will now be off until it hosts West Windsor South on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
"I don’t know what to make of the layoff," Dubina said. "We could come back hungry or this loss can roll around for a while. We’ll see."

