No-Hitter Knocks Colts Out of States

The softball team entered the North 1, Group II state sectional tournament as the No. 11 seed and with a date against No. 6 seed River Dell High School on the road.

On Tuesday, the Colts ran into a buzzsaw in the form of River Dell right-handed ace Chloe DeSanctis. DeSanctis pitched a no-hitter and struck out 10 to shutdown the Colts and lead the Hawks to a five-innings, 10-0 victory at River Dell High School.

Despite the early exit from the tournament, it was a positive season for the Colts, one that saw improvement and growth from last season's performance. The team will also head into next year with an experienced group of players.

"We didn't hit as well as we wanted to today," Kinnelon coach Danielle Patlin said. "This group of girls turned their ability around from going 4-21 last year and this year staying above .500 and making it to states. They accomplished that even if we didn't go as far as we wanted. But the entire team returns next year; we don't lose a single one to graduation."

The Hawks began to take control of the game in the bottom of the second inning. After Joan Marie Massaro walked, DeSanctis laid down a bunt to reach first on an error. Sara Recanti blasted a double, followed by a single by Gabby Smith. A walk to Jordan Bastable loaded the bases and set up lead-off hitter Stephanie Caracozza, who delievered with a three-run triple.

Lindsey Clark would follow with a double into right field, and Jordan Bastable connected on a single to give the Hawks a 6-0 lead at the end of the inning.

"We did a good job top to bottom from our first batter to the ninth," River Dell head coach Mike Garibell said. "(Kinnelon starter Grace Carvalho) did a good job at throwing us off at first but we just sat back and hit the ball well."

The Colts attempted to get things going at the plate over the next three innings, but were stymied by DeSanctis, who recorded seven of the frames' nine outs via strikeout.

"Chloe was just awesome; throws a no-hitter and keeps us going," Garibell said.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Hawks added on their final four runs courtesy of a double by Bastable, DeSanctis' single, and a deep triple down the third base line by Smith.

The Hawks will face third-seeded Kittatinny Regional High School, after the Cougars barely escaped No. 14 Newton, 1-0, on Thursday.

Tuesdays game between the Colts and Hawks was recorded by MSG Varsity, and will be available for viewing at a later date in the future on Optimum Channel 14.