Rebels Fall One Run Short, Spectacular Performance from Conner

After playing the role of underdog throughout the playoffs, it was no surprise to the Howell High School varsity girls softball team  that it was again playing against a favorite in the NJSIAA Group IV finals on Saturday morning.

As the underdog, there certainly are few positives, according to Howell co-head coach, Elissa Connell. With each team, the Lady Rebels have upset, Connell said, her team has not been intimidated:  "We have been in this situation before, so we are used to it."

Hunterdon Central nearly became the Lady Rebels' latest victim, as Carsin Conner had another outstanding pitching performance. The junior went six innings, striking out eight. The only run scored came in the bottom of the sixth and was unearned following a throwing error.

"Carsin has been phenomenal for us," said Connell. "She's had a fire in her eyes the whole tournament and has been very resilient."

Just based on her performance in the state tournament alone Conner figures to be a pitcher to watch out for when the Shore Conference season resumes in 2012.

"Any loss is tough," said Connell. "Sometimes the ball goes your way, other times it doesn't. I told the girls that losing today still doesn't take away winning the Central Jersey IV title and all the fun we have had all year."

A first inning filled with a few good signs gave the  Lady Rebels hope that they might be in for another upset victory. 

"We thought (Courtney Yard) was going to come in and be unhittable and mow everyone down. After the top of the first they saw that we could put the ball in play on her and just relaxed" said Connell.

The Lady Rebs came up empty on two first inning singles, but the confidence appeared to be all Conner needed to shut down the Red Devils. From the second to fifth inning, the Devils' leadoff hitter reached base but was stranded each time.

In the bottom of the fourth, Steph Grainger made one of the nicest plays of the day. With a runner on first, the second baseman made well timed snag on a ball hit to her and tagged the runner heading to second. She then threw the ball to first for an inning ending double play.

As the leadoff hitter for Howell the next inning, she belted a single as well to keep her solid play going.

"Our defense has been very good, that was a huge double play. (Grainger) has been totally focused throughout these playoffs for us."

The Lady Rebels totaled six hits and hit the ball hard, they just could notstring them together in one inning to put runs on the board. In the top of the sixth, Conner came close to putting the Rebels up, hitting a ball to straight away center field. Unfortunately, the centerfielder was able to corral it right at the wall.

Grainger and Kelly Hardiman hit singles in the top of the fifth but they were unable to come around to score. Annemarie Bartow reached second with one out following a Hardiman sac bunt, but that is as far as she could go.

"It shows why both teams are here," said Connell, speaking about the low score, "With two good teams like today, it is all about who cashes in on their chances. Unfortunately it wasn't us today."

The loss ends the Central Jersey Group IV champions season at 16-9.