Saint John Vianney Gets By Matawan To Remain Undefeated

Photo's above: Rivard at third, Rivera on the mound in Monday's 3-1 win over Matawan

MATAWAN – Shelli Rivard’s solo home run in the top of the fourth held up for the game-winning hit and the Lancers - behind 5 2/3 innings of scoreless by Demi Rivera – went on to beat Matawan 3-1 Monday in Matawan.

With the win, Saint John Vianney (14-0, 9-0) – ranked No. 2 in the NJ.com Top 20 - remains undefeated and pushes its lead to two-games over the second place Huskies in Class A Central.

“I’m always just thinking to get on, I’m never thinking home run; but I’m happy it happened that way,” said Rivard. The division was absolutely in the back of my mind today. Through our whole season we’re looking to make six accomplishments. Our first is the division, then Monmouth County, then Shore Conference, states and so on. But we have to focus what’s in front of us and not get too far ahead of ourselves.”

Averaging close to 11 runs a game, the Lancers struggled for scoring opportunities against Matawan starting pitcher Jessica Veary but in the end, it wasRivard’s third homer of the season that would be the difference maker. Senior first baseman Megan Masi added an insurance run in the top of the seventh for her second home run of the season.

“That’s the type of player Shelli is, she’s been pretty hot all season long when we need that extra run,” Lancers head coach Kim Lombardi said of the star third baseman. “She’s done it in numerous situations when we’ve needed that extra security as have some of my other players as well.”

“We never take any team lightly; Matawan’s a great team and gave us a good game,” Rivard added. “My coach tells me, when I’m feeling a little flat my teammates will be there to pick me up, and whenever they’re down it’s my job to pick them up. That’s what I was looking to do today.”

The Lancers scored an unearned run in the top of the second after Rivard reached first on an error by third baseman Jenn Lloyd leading off the inning before being sacrificed to second on a bunt by Ally Jones. Senior right fielder Gianna Mavica then lined an RBI single into right scoring Rivard for a 1-0 lead.

Matawan (11-5, 7-2) – ranked No. 7 in the Shore Conference - let a bases loaded one-out opportunity slip away without scoring in the first inning when a runner interference call and strikeout ended the threat. Then in the second, after an RBI double by senior Lauren Conroy drove in Elisa Fumarloa, who led off the inning with single, the Huskies again left the bases full with only one out.

Conroy’s double chased freshman pitcher Julia Parker from the circle with runners on second and third and one out in the bottom of the second. Rivera entered for Parker giving up a single to Lloyd, who beat out a slow roller in front of the plate to load the bases. Rivard then fielded Veary’s grounder to third and fired home for the second out before Rivera struck out cleanup hitter Meagan Rutch to get out of the inning.

Rivera gave up a double in the third and a leadoff single in the fourth before retiring the next 12 straight hitters to close out the game in spectacular fashion.

“That’s the type of pitcher Demi is, she did a nice job coming in and stopping it,” Lombardi said of her ace, who is 10-0 on the season. “She’s doing a good job mixing her pitches for me. She believes in what I’m calling and doing it for the team.

“Demi’s been absolutely awesome,” Rivard added. “I love to go out there and play for her and make the plays for her.”

Rivard finished 1-for-3 with a home run, RBI and two runs scored while Masi was 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI. Mavica was 1-for-3 on the day with an RBI, Baron added two singles in four at bats and sophomore Ally Jones had a sacrifice bunt and two singles in three trips to the plate.

Matawan turned three double plays on the day helping keep the potent Lancer offensive from doing further damage.

“The team may have come out a little flat today,” said Lombardi. “But you know what, this is a nice win against a good team that is well coached and a win is a win at the end of the day.”

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