Chatham Softball Capitalizes On Mistakes, Blows Out Dover

After a season opening victory against highly regarded Hackettstown, the Chatham girls' softball team extended its record to 2-0 on Monday, taking advantage of the Dover Tigers' numerous defensive blunders to win in five innings by a score of 11-0 at Lum Avenue Field in Chatham.

The turf which Chatham plays on often makes the ball jump more off of the ground than normal grass, according to Davies, who cited this as a potential reason for Dover's lackluster defense throughout the game. Dover had six errors throughout the game—three of which came in the second inning.

"The turf gives us an advantage," Davies said. "Not a lot of teams play on turf."

Chatham started the scoring in the bottom of the first after sophomore pitcher Amanda Fazio retired the side in order in the top of the inning, striking out two of the first three hitters she faced.

Senior catcher Alex St. Romain led off the game with a single. She then stole two bases, and a throwing error allowed her to score the game's first and deciding run.

Later, she would crush a two-run home run for good measure.

"We look for her to produce—she's our best hitter, so we bat her first to get her more at-bats," said Davies.  

The second inning was similar to the first, as Dover continued to make mistakes. Back to back to back errors by Dover on two blown sacrifice plays and a throwing error allowed the Cougars to load the bases, and the team added two more runs on a seemingly dejected Dover team.

Fazio recorded nine strikeouts and no walks during her shutout, and Dover managed only one hit during the game, which came off of a bunt single. She also helped her own cause, outhitting the Dover lineup two hits—including a home run—and three runs batted in.

"This was actually not one of her best performances," Davies said. "Her command was not what it usually is, so she just overpowered them."

The Cougars continued to add on to their lead in the third and fourth before St. Romain came up with a base runner on to put the final nail in the coffin, crushing a home run over the heads of the Dover outfielders and effectively ending the game.

The Cougars look to continue their winning run when they play Lenape Valley at home on Tuesday. Davies has high hopes for this group this year, calling the team "special."

"The team is never satisfied until they're the best at everything," she said.