LIVINGSTON - Freshman pitcher Jessica Peslak and senior second baseman Amy Zhou were instrumental in helping the Lancers defeating Montclair Kimberley 3-0 on Friday afternoon at home.
Peslak fired a two-hitter while striking out eight from the circle and also went 2-for-2 including a double and RBI. Zhou she went 0-for-1 with the bat, but it was her glove that was instrumental in keeping the Cougars from scoring.
Although Livingston's hopes of post-season play were dashed by a defeat by Montclair earlier in the week, the girls are still playing with the intent of having a winning season.
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"We're just trying to keep the intensity going," said Zhou, who along senior first baseman Melissa Pence will be graduating in June. "We want to go out with a winning record."
With the victory, the Lady Lancers raised their record to 13-12 in the ultra-competitive Super Essex Conference American division.
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The senior second baseman specifically gave Montclair Kimberley pitcher Andrea Hulsenbeck fits. Every time Hulsenbeck came to the plate, she lined-out to Zhou.
"I could tell that she was trying to hit to the right side, so I was able to get a jump on the ball," said Zhou.
Zhou has two more regular season games, Bloomfield (at home on Monday) and Montclair Kimberley (on the road on Wednesday, the final game).
After that, her competitive softball days will most likely be over.
She is heading to Rutgers School of Pharmacy in New Brunswick this fall. If she picks up a softball, she said, it will be for fun.
For Peslak, these last few games are warm-up for another run next season in the competitive Super Essex Conference American division and the Essex County Tournament.
"Yes, we're looking forward to next season," said Peslak. "We're trying to work hard and win our last games."
Peslak said that her curve and screw ball were working well against the Cougars' batters.
"I'm trying to be more accurate and work on my off-speed pitches," said Peslak, who has great speed pitches.
She has a couple of more games to work on it this season.
