Williams Pitches No-Hitter for Collingswood

Coming off their first loss of the season, the Collingswood softball team finally bounced back Thursday afternoon—in a big way.

Monday's season opener loss was still fresh as Panthers assembled on home field Thursday. But sophomore pitcher Stephanie Williams closed that wound quickly, pitching the first no-hitter of her career.

It helped shape Collingswood's 13-0 victory over Woodbury High School.

And it was a quick win, thanks to the 10-Run Rule—a game-closer, effective when a team is leading by 10-or-more runs after the fifth inning.

Williams pitched all five innings, striking out two batters and allowing two base runners; with one walking, and the other on error due to a botched fly-ball.

“I’m pretty proud of this,” said Williams. “I’m still only a sophomore, and I had a pretty rough season last year, so this game is definitely a confidence booster for me.”

But Williams credited her teammates, who “fielded absolutely everything.”

Besides nearly-flawless pitching, the Panthers accumulated 13 hits Thursday; with eight of nine starters finding their way on base.

Junior centerfielder and lead-off hitter Nicole Hall gathered three hits in four plate appearances—including a home run on the first pitch of the second-inning, which landed in right centerfield. Hall stole two bases, one of them scoring a run via wild pitch.

The Panthers stole a total of five bases Thursday.

“It’s not really what we’re trying to do,” said Collingswood head coach Abby Adams. “We struggle when we try to lay down bunts and play small ball, but we just took advantage of the opportunities we got today.”

Junior catcher Stephanie Fultano—who's received all-conference honors twice in her two-year softball career—went 3-3 at the plate, recording a double in each plate appearance.

“They were throwing me a lot of fastballs out there,” said Fultano. “I really think this win is great for our team. I think it will definitely get our confidence up for the weekend."

The Sterling High School Silver Knights—who dominated Panthers in the season opener earlier this week—will see Panthers again this weekend.

“This was a good win,” said Adams. “It’s a stepping stone for us.”