Montclair's Sarfati Guides MKA To Prep B Title

Montclair's Jessica Sarfati, who once starred as a scholastic player at Montclair High, completed a superb season guiding the Montclair Kimberley Academy softball team to a 12-10 record highlighted by winning a state prep B-Division Tournament championship.

"The group of girls we've had this season are absolutely amazing and helped lead us to a solid season," said the veteran MKA head coach who helped direct the Cougars to an NJSIAA Non-Public B state championship back in 2009. "Winning the prep B championship was a terrific achievement for this group of girls and they were really in the zone with the way they came out and won the championship final against Gill St. Bernard's."

MKA defeated Gill, 5-3, May 19, at Diamond Nation in Flemington, to capture their first prep B crown behind the pitching and hitting of sophomore pitcher Olivia Healey.

Having a front-line pitcher who is throwing well is always a major factor in a team’s success and as evidenced by Healey’s star-level performance vs. Gill in the prep B final as she scattered 6 hits, walked 2 and struck out 7, the Cougars and their ace in the circle are in a good place as the states are around the corner.

Healey also helped her cause going 3-for-4 at the plate.

“Olivia is so impressive,” said Sarfati. “She has the ability to mix her pitches so well, but she also has the right mindset. When I ask her to make adjustments, she just does it. I haven't coached a pitcher as competitive as she is in a very long time, and someone who has such an amazing presence.

“She gets stronger as she goes along as you could see from her performance in the prep B final as she shut Gill down in the last inning."

MKA's season did end with a 3-2 setback to Gill in the Non-Public, North B state tournament on May 29 in Peapack-Gladstone.

Sarfati, who was ably assisted by Izzy Mendez and Donna Bruno, completed her 14th season at the helm of the Cougars.