Versatility, Defense Push Caldwell 14U Into Final

Caldwell's 14U softball team made its final home game of the season a pretty special one Wednesday night.

The Chiefs thumped Glen Ridge 8-1 in the semifinals of the Bi-County Softball League tournament at James Caldwell High School.

Caldwell, which improved to 11-1, will have an opportunity to avenge its only defeat of the season when it plays at top-seeded Hanover Thursday night in the championship game at Veteran's Park at 7 p.m.

Hustle and strong defense were featured in the Chiefs' latest victory.

Right-hander Cayla Lombardi pitched six strong innings, center fielder Allie Nufrio made a nice catch in the seventh, while Val Murphy and Gianna Genello made good plays at third base to keep Glen Ridge off the scoreboard earlier in the game.

While Caldwell didn't have a single error, Glen Ridge committed seven infield miscues that spoiled a strong effort from hard-throwing righty Tara Kelly. In contrast, Murphy and Genello handled eight chances without a mistake. 

"These girls' defense is great, the best group of players you'll see at this stage," Caldwell coach Pete Frazza said.

"This group is so interchangeable, they played different positions all year long, so that when you get to the playoffs, even though they have set positions, they are good at when somebody gets injured you move Genello there, you put Marissa Rozenfeld at first base and Casey Ward goes from first base to second. Versatility really helps at this stage."

Lombardi made two good plays in the fifth with Caldwell holding a 3-1 lead. Kelly and Eva Garrido led off the inning with singles for Glen Ridge. Caroline Smith followed with a shot back to Lombardi, who threw to Genello for the force out.

Garrido moved to third on a wild pitch and then tried to score. But catcher Jess Mattheiss retrieved the ball and threw to Lombardi, who slapped the tag on for the second out. Lombardi then got Lena Grimaldi on a soft liner to third to end the inning.

Caldwell took a 3-0 lead in the first as Lombardi had a two-run double that scored Ward and Alex Sciacca, who had singled, and another run scored on a wild pitch.

The Chiefs were creative in extending the cushion to 5-1 in the fifth. Nufrio reached on a bunt and Ward followed with another bunt that was thrown away for an error. Nufrio came all the way round to score and Ward raced to third. She then scored the fifth run on a wild pitch.

"Even though we didn't hit like we did [in the previous game], the bunting game forces them to make plays," Frazza said. "Our kids are very, very quick base runners and sometimes forcing the action and causing the other team to make errors."

Two errors and a Nufrio bunt scored Caldwell's final three runs in the sixth. 
Bianca Scaglione relieved Lombardi in the seventh, which was highlighted by Nufrio's diving catch of Elena Garrido's sinking liner.

Frazza said Nufrio has been making similar plays all season. Nevertheless, it still impressed her teammates.

"Nuf, how do you do that," Rozenfeld marveled. "It looked like you came out of nowhere."