Warriors' Defense, Pitching Push Hunterdon Central to Extra Innnings

Few softball rivalries match the perennial grudge matches between the Watchung Hills Regional Warriors and Hunterdon Central—and Tuesday game at Watchung Hills served to add more fuel.

After nine innings, the Warriors fell, 4-3.

"We just had trouble getting that winning run," Head Coach Michael D'Alesandro said. 

The Red Devils scored early, grabbing a 3-1 edge at the end of the second inning. The Warriors played tough defense, with Abby Cline's pitching limiting Central's offense. The Warriors' defense kept the game within reach, with heads up plays by Brooke Nitti and Jess Gaeta, including a fourth inning double play, proving instrumental.

"We have a very strong defense," D'Alesandro said.

Through three scoreless innings, the teams took each other's measure, until two runs by Meghan Kovac and Dana Mertz in the bottom of the sixth tied the game to force the extra innings.