Krystal Pearson Wins Her Seventh In Second-Game Gem
By Mike Ready
LINCROFT – In their initial must-win game of the season, Brookdale ace Samantha Hosey out-dueled Gloucester ace Melissa Mackey in the first of two games, 3-1, Sunday on their home field.
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The No.1 ranked Jersey Blues (23-4, 12-0) went on to win both ends of the twin bill to take over sole possession of first place in Region XIX play.
Hosey (Keansburg H.S.) allowed one run on three hits, while striking out five and walking only two batters. The win pushed Hosey’s record to a perfect 8-0 after returning from an early season injury.
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“I look at Gloucester as our rivals, especially after the regions last year,” Hosey said. “You can’t sleep on them, they’re amazing hitters and always have great pitching. You just can’t take it easy on them no matter what; Mackey was amazing today.”
Hosey’s teammates staked her to three-run lead as the Blues scored three runs in their own half of the first inning.
Leadoff batter Sara Vocisano (Piscataway H.S.) lined a single down the third base line to open the bottom of the first and sophomore second baseman Keara Homan (Manasquan H.S.) laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt, advancing Vocisano to second base.
Freshman Alexandra Clayton (Wall Township H.S.) then lined one off shortstop Megan Brown’s glove to put runners on first and second. Vocisano was out at third on a fielder’s choice before sophomore third baseman Krystal Pearson (Sayreville H.S.) lined an RBI single over the first baseman’s head with both runners advancing on the throw to the plate.
Freshman right fielder Courtney Semkewyc (Henry Hudson H.S.) then brought both runners home with a mammoth shot off the top of the centerfield fence for a two-run double and a 3-0 lead.
Those were all the runs Hosey needed, as she breezed through the first five innings allowing only a bloop single in the top of the third.
In the top of the sixth, the Roadrunners pushed a run across the plate after centerfielder Taylor Rissotte dropped a triple over the head of Semkewyc in a drawn-in outfield and Rissotte scored on a ground out to shortstop.
Mackey, meanwhile, was mowing down the Blues allowing only two hits and zero runs since the three-run first inning.
“Mackey was getting stronger as the game went on,” Hosey said. “I knew I couldn’t give up any more runs the way she was pitching so I had to really bear down and concentrate on my control. It added a little pressure on me but I got great defense behind me and I have total faith in them making the plays.”
In the top of the seventh with Brookdale clinging to a 3-1 lead, Mackey led off the inning and worked the count to 3-and-2 before Hosey fanned her on a called third strike.
“That was big, I didn’t want to walk the leadoff batter and Mackey is such a tough out,” Hosey added. “I just had to buckle down and do what I needed to do. I did what I do best; worked my outsides.”
A miscommunication on a blooper into short left field put a runner on first with one out before Hosey got the final two outs on a pop foul in front of the Gloucester dugout and pop up to the mound to end the game.
After the game Hosey was pleased with the way her team in playing. “I like how we don’t get rattled no matter what, and play as a team. I’m one of many leaders on this team; we push for each other and pick each other up if needed, so I look at everyone as a leader on this team. I absolutely feel we’re good enough to win it all; we just can’t sleep on anyone. ”
In Brookdale’s 5-2 second-game win, Pearson picked up her seventh win of the season against only three losses. She didn’t allow an earned run in 7 innings pitched, while giving up five hits, striking out three and walking only one batter.
Sophomore centerfielder Cassidy Brzozowski (Howell H.S.) clubbed a two-run homer in the third inning and sophomore shortstop Bobbie Boehler (Raritan H.S.) had a solo shot in the fifth and a bases loaded RBI walk. Semkewyc also had a single and RBI base on balls.
Brookdale is now a perfect 12-0 in league play and has won 21 games in a row since losing 7-5 to Cecil Community College in the first of two games back on March 21. They are hitting .393 as a team with opponents only hitting .212 against them. The pitching staffs combined earned run average is a paltry 1.91 while Brookdale is scoring an average of 6.61 runs a game.
