Lancers Strike Out

LIVINGSTON—You never know when a turning point will happen in a softball game.

On Wednesday, that defining moment occurred in the second inning of Mount St. Dominic's 6-0 road victory over Livingston.

With the Lions up 1-0 in the bottom of the second, the Lancers were able to load the bases with only one out against Mount pitcher Rebecca Gorney.

But Mount catcher Nena Lizza picked off Livingston courtesy runner Michelle Millman by throwing a strike to third baseman Amanda Paxson, who tagged the runner for the second out of the inning.

Gorney then struck out Livingston center fielder Ally Boni to end the threat.

"When we had picked off the runner that really picked us up," said Gorney, who fired a two-hitter while striking out four for the complete-game victory.

The thwarted rally deflated the Lancers.

"With that play, the momentum shifted and it was a game-changer," Livingston coach Jason Daily said. "It stung us and took the wind out of our sails."

In the top of the fourth inning, Mount scored four runs to cement the victory and improve to 3-1, while Livingston dropped to 1-2 after defeating Immaculate Heart Academy in the season-opener.

Mount's top hitter and shortstop Maria DeLuca had a pair of hits, while Livingston left fielder Reid Singer collected the only two for the Lancers.

Mount's offense picked up some big hits and took advantage of a few Livingston miscues, especially during the fourth inning against Livingston junior starting pitcher Alex Pizzoli.

All nine Mount batters came to the plate in the fourth and recorded three hits, two of which were doubles by Christina Giglio and Gorney. The hits, combined with a couple of errors, led to a 5-0 Mount advantage.

With the lead, Gorney appeared to thrive on the circle. After the second-inning threat, she didn't allow a baserunner past second.

"I'm going to pitch the same, but it is more comforting," Gorney said of having a bit of a cushion. "My curve was working today."

Daily didn't believe his team was properly prepared right from the start of the game.

"We were not mentally ready, but I do not think this is representative of how we can play," the Livingston coach said.

After Pizzoli gave up four runs in four innings, Daily went to freshman Jessica Peslak, who threw her first pitches of her high school career.

"She came in and threw some big pitches," Daily said. "They were hitting Pizzoli hard, but she's still my No. 1 pitcher."

Daily liked how Peslak threw on Wednesday and said she could be used in various stints throughout the season. Daily also pointed out that since Peslak is typically the team's designated player, he can bring her in at any point and come back to Pizzoli without losing a player.

One pitch Peslak would want back is the one she threw to Mount second baseman Emily Rose Havrilla, who smacked a solo home run in the seventh inning over the Livingston left fielder's head.

"I think it was a screw ball inside," Havrilla said."I just hit it where it was pitched."

The home run—or any hit, for that matter—came as a relief for Havrilla.

"I really needed a hit," said Havrilla, who joked about the word slump. "We don't say it [slump] in our house. It's a dirty word."

The Lions will host an eight-team tournament on Saturday that features a Pennsylvania high school, along with Pequannock, St. John Vianney, Bishop Ahr, Red Bank Catholic, Edison and Toms River East.

Here's a list of upcoming games:

(Games at 4 p.m. unless noted)

April 9                    West Essex

April 12                  Morris Knolls

April 14                  at Caldwell

April 16                  at Glen Ridge

April 17                  Cranford at Black and Gold Invite at Cedar Grove, 11:30 a.m.

April 19                  Nutley