The Mater Dei High School softball team appears to be firing on all cylinders following its victory over Cardinal McCarrick in the NJSIAA Non- Public South B semifinals.
Coach Jeanne Dickinson’s team, seeded second, was set to meet top-seeded St Joseph’s of Hammonton yesterday in the final.
The Seraphs boast five players with 16 or more RBIs, eight players batting over .300, a .975 team fielding percentage; Mater Dei has made just 20 errors on more than 800 chances; and a dominant pitcher in senior Sara Cline.
“I’m very proud of this group of girls. They believe in themselves and they’re exceeding everyone’s expectations,” Dickinson said. “Our seniors have also provided great leadership. They’re all about winning and that attitude has spread through our team.”
Mater Dei broke out of a mini-slump that saw the Seraphs score six runs in five games prior to meeting Cardinal McCarrick. Against the Eagles, Dickinson’s team pushed across two first inning runs before making an out and Cline was masterful on the hill, tossing a one-hitter and striking out 10.
CenterfielderDanielleMurphy paced the Seraphs offense with three hits and three RBIs and she also scored three times. Lauren Florio, the shortstop, added three more hits and a pair of RBIs, and leadoff hitter Tess Gagliano scored four runs.
The Seraphs, 20-4 overall,won the Shore Conference’s B North Non-Public title and also reached the finals of the Monmouth County Tournament, where they lost a 1-0 heartbreaker to Red Bank Catholic in nine innings after downing St. JohnVianney. SJV rebounded to eliminate Mater Dei from the Shore Conference tourney.
“We hit a spot where the girls seemed a bit stymied at the plate,” Dickinson said. “That happens and I’m very happy that our bats came alive againstCardinalMcCarrick.
Despite the Seraphs recent slump,Mater Dei boasts an excellent offensive team. Florio, a four-year starter, leads the team with a .405 batting average and is also tied for the lead inRBIswith 21.Gagliano, another fouryear starter, leads the Shore Conference with 38 runs scored and is hitting a healthy .370. Catcher Erin Carroll has driven home 21 runs while batting .373 and playing well behind the plate.
Murphy is at .361 with 17 RBIs and the junior has played errorless ball in center field while accumulating five assists. Cline is batting .359 with 16 RBIs, junior second baseman Katie O’Brien is hitting .325 with 16 RBIs and first baseman Elyse Parker is at .300.
Meanwhile, Cline has been brilliant in recording a 0.72 ERA to go along with 182 strikeouts.Dickinson noted that the outfield defense has been outstanding with Murphy in center, junior Lauren McKeown in right and freshmanMaggie Fermo in left field.
“As a team, the girls do a lot of things well and they will find ways to win,” the coach explained. “They also find ways to rise to the occasion in big games. I really can’t say enough about them. They know what’s expected and they go out and do it.”