Softball Team Advances in ECT

MONTCLAIR - On Saturday, when the Livingston softball team faced  Montclair in the Essex County Tournament quarterfinals, the Lancers knew they had to take some chances if they wanted a win.   

That's what they did and the Lancers, seeded seventh, pulled off a little upset over the fourth-seed Montclair, 5-3, on the road.  The victory moved Livingston into the semifinals against top-seeded West Essex this Friday at Ivy Hill Park in Newark.

Alex Pizzoli, Livingston's freshman pitcher, went the distance.  She scattered five hits while striking out six; she also allowed only one base on balls against Montclair.

But the gamble came in the fifth inning, as Livingston head coach Jason Daily called back-to-back suicide squeezes that worked perfectly and brought home a run each time. Highlighted by those two squeezes, the Lancers scored five runs in a big fifth inning that also included a two-RBI triple from first baseman Melissa Pence.  Jess Peslak, designated player, smacked a double down the right field line that scored Pence for the 5-1 victory.

"That's the right time to pull it out," said Daily about the suicide squeezes. "I just thought that could really jump start the team."

For Pence, she knew what pitch was coming her way in the fifth inning for the triple.

"She was throwing to the outside corner so I was ready for it," said Pence, who faced Montclair pitcher Claire Fitzgerald.

Livingston was actually behind in the game, 1-0, before the fifth.  In the first inning, Montclair's Hanna Wurgaft opened the scoring with a home run against Pizzoli.  After that, Pizzoli settled down, except for the bottom of the sixth inning when she gave up a double to Chelsea Hepburn, who brought home a pair of runners. 

Daily said that he did not know until just before the start of the game whether he was going with Pizzoli or his other pitcher Peslak, who pitched against Caldwell on Friday.

"We were trying to keep them off balance," said Daily about going with Peslak who throws a lot of off-speed pitches.

Pizzoli said that her riser was working well.  Catcher Jess Icolari added that Pizzoli's curve ball and drop pitches were also on against Montclair.

In the momentous fifth inning, Icolari started things off with a walk. Then, on a hit and run, Ally Boni smacked a double to put runners on second and third.

Sophomore Carly LaGrotta then laid down the first of two squeeze bunts and scored courtesy runner, Michelle Millman.  Becky Herman then pulled off the second of the squeeze bunts to scored Boni and to give the Lancers a 2-1 lead.

Pence ripped a triple that scored both LaGrotta and Herman for a 4-1 Livingston lead. Jessica Peslak then proceeded to hit a double down the right field line to score Pence for a 5-1 lead.

The Lancers are hoping to have a repeat performance when they face West Essex on Friday.  The Lancers have lost twice to West Essex this season, but only by one run each time (5-4 and 2-1).