By Wayne Witkowski
Middletown High School North’s softball team can take a big step toward winning its third Shore Conference A North Division championship in four years when it plays at Middletown High School South at 3:45 p.m. April 28.
Middletown North (13-1) is unbeaten in the division and handed Middletown High School South its only division loss, 2-1, April 8. Middletown South is 9-2 and has won four straight since its only other loss, 1-0, to Mount Saint Dominic Academy. Middletown South won last year’s A North championship, and both teams will move next year into B North.
“They have a great pitcher and we do, too,” Middletown North coach Marc Rosner said of the showdown against the defending NJSIAA Group III champions. “They have Maddie McMahon, and we have to get to her early. She’s already great but when she settles in, she’s really tough. We have to play our game.”
McMahon at 8-2 has an ERA slightly over 1.00 with 75 strikeouts and 18 walks.
Middletown North counters with Riley Kernan, who is 12-1 with a 2.40 ERA. In 65 innings pitched, Kernan has struck out 61 batters and walked 44 with an array of pitches. She has helped herself by batting .404 with 24 RBIs. Sophomore Melina Wilton had a crucial game-tying single in the fifth inning of the first game against Middletown South before the Lions went on to win on an RBI hit by junior second baseman Liz Dorsa later in the inning. Dorsa is batting .510 with 13 RBIs.
Right fielder Kayla Gallo, a junior, leads the team with 25 RBIs and is hitting .465.
Middletown North also plays in the Monmouth County Tournament quarterfinals the following day against the winner of Matawan Regional High School against Holmdel High School.
With only shortstop Nikki Alfano graduated off last year’s Middletown North team that went 23-6 and beat Middletown South, 1-0, for the Shore Conference Tournament title, the Lions realize that playing cohesively is the key to success. They have won five straight since a 7-5 loss to Vineland High School in the Rancocas Valley Elite tournament.
“Were doing a lot better than last year when we had a bunch of individuals and this year, it’s easier because it’s a team effort one through nine,” Rosner said. “It’s a great effort with pitching and defense improved from last year. They’ve done a great job of working together and holding themselves accountable.”
Only two seniors start: first baseman Christine Gebhardt, who bats .408 with 20 RBIs, and center fielder Payleigh Behan, who bats .455 with six RBIs. Sophomore Alyssa Vetrano moves from second base, where she played last year to fill the lone vacated spot at shortstop.
Junior Ryan Rasmussen is having a solid season at catcher.
“She’s one of the best in the Shore Conference,” Rosner said.
Rasmussen is batting .350 with 11 RBIs.
Freshman Adriana Cerbo is the designated hitter. She is batting .455 with 11 RBIs and shares innings in left field at times with fellow freshman Ang Delahanty. Cerbio’s sister, Gaby, who is a sophomore, plays at first and third base (wherever needed) and, Emily Kernan, a junior and cousin of Riley Kernan, is a left fielder.