Clark Battles Through Heat, Defeats Summit HS Softball

The Summit High School summer softball team was defeated 11-0 Tuesday by Clark at Myrtle Field. The teams battled in what was only a two-run game through four innings in heat hovering around 100 degrees.

"The heat didn't affect any of our preparation," Summit Head Coach Rachel Gordon said. "The heat took a toll on everyone for both teams throughout the game, especially our pitcher who threw a lot of pitches as well."

Clark struck first, for two runs, despite two strikeouts by Summit pitcher Marissa Montero. When Summit came to bat in the bottom of the inning, Ali Hoesly and Julie Schott led off with back-to-back singles. After both runners advanced one base on a wild pitch, Clark registered a triple play, which was aided by some too-aggressive base running by Summit.

"We could have done some damage in the first inning," Gordon said. "We had a chance, but we got caught."

Montero struck out the leadoff batter in the top of the second, but found herself in trouble after three straight hits by Clark. However, she produced two straight pop-outs, stranding the bases loaded. The third out of the inning was on a nice catch by Jess Rediger in foul territory.

Rediger ripped a single up the middle to lead of the bottom of the second, but Summit could not get anything going, producing three straight outs.

The top of the third began with a Montero strikeout, which was followed by two of the next three batters grounding out. Both groundouts were on flawlessly fielded grounders by Hoesly at shortstop, who threw over to Lisa Campanelli at first base.

Summit came up in the third looking to cut into the two-run deficit, but again only had four batters come to the plate, with Hoesly getting her second hit of the game after two outs were already recorded.

Montero cruised through the top of the fourth inning, striking out the leadoff batter for the fourth straight inning and then producing two quick pop-outs. Montero finished the game with six strikeouts in five innings.

Summit still trailed 2-0 entering the bottom of the fourth inning, but received a leadoff single from Campanelli. However, the next three batters were retired and Summit seemed to miss another opportunity.

"We played well through the first four innings," Gordon said. "We had a few opportunities, but just couldn't come through and as I said got caught a couple of times."

Things unraveled for Summit in the top of the fifth inning as Clark sent fifteen players to bat and plated nine runs. Clark had scored six runs in the inning when Summit recorded two outs in a row, but Summit couldn't seem to record the last out as Clark was able to score three more.

Summit came to bat in the bottom of the fifth and saw the first two batters record outs. However, Summit's best hit of the day was registered by Kristen Miller. Miller hit a double to left-center field, but Summit was unable to capitalize and didn't score.

Summit will return to action Wednesday night on the road against North Brunswick. Summit's next home game is July 12 against Rahway at Myrtle Field.