Softball: Lancers Fall To Montclair in States

MONTCLAIR — Montclair's pitching was just too good on Monday afternoon when Livingston's softball travelled away to take on the team in the first-round of NJSIAA tournament.

Although Livingston's Rebecca Herman led off the game and promptly drew a walk off of Montclair's Claire Fitzgerald, the pitcher quickly improved to lead her team to a 4-1 victory. 

In the first inning, after the walk, the base runner was quickly erased when Fitzgerald picked off Herman, who was trying to steal second base.  She then went on to end the inning without allowing another Livingston hit.

But Livingston countered.  Junior Alex Pizzoli took the mound for Livingston and matched with a scoreless first inning.

In the top of the second inning, Fitzgerald allowed a lead-off single to Jessica Peslak, who promptly stole second base on a wild pitch. Unfortunately for Livingston, Fitzgerald went on to retire the next three hitters.

Things improved for the Lancers in the third inning when infielder Amy Zhou blasted a two-out triple.  But Livingston was unable to capitalize as the next batter, Melissa Pence, flied out to end the inning, which was too bad with what was next to come.

In the bottom of the inning, Montclair's offense erupted.

With a runner on first, Sara Haefeli lined the ball deep into the outfield for an RBI triple to put Montclair on top, 1-0. Haefeli, herself, would later score in the inning on a sacrifice bunt to increase Montclair's lead to 2-0.

Adding another run, at the end of the third inning Montclair led 3-0.

Livingston would not go down quietly, though. Jessica Peslak singled for the second time in two at-bats and was sacrificed over to second base by Alex Bell. This enabled her to score off a double by Livingston's catcher, Jessica Icolari.   But this would be the lone run of the game scored by the Lancers.

Livingston starter, Jessica Pizzoli, was removed from the game after 4.1 innings and another run due to a high pitch count. She was charged with all four of Montclair's runs.

Freshman standout, Jessica Peslak, was called on to finish the remainder of the game and she did just that by retiring all five batters that faced her.

There was a bit of excitement for the Lancers in the top of the seventh. Montclair's Fitzergarld got two quick outs via the strike-out before getting into a battle with Livingston's Carly LaGrotta.  LaGrotta's patience paid off and she walked on a very close pitch. LaGrotta then advanced to second on a wild pitch.  But the Lancers couldn't continue the charge and closed the inning and game without another run.

With the loss, Livingston falls to just one game over .500. Montclair improves to a very impressive 21-4 record and will advance in the state tournament.

On a bright note for Livingston, Jessica Peslak once again looked very good both on the mound (five strike-outs) and at the plate (two hits). She appears to be one of the many bright spots in the future of the school's softball program.  Also, because she is only a freshman, she will have three more years of eligibilty.

Livingston returns to action on Friday against Montclair Kimberly Academy at home.