Cline's Return Propels Warriors to County Semis

After a week off, Abby Cline was anything but rusty Saturday, as the junior right-hander returned to the softball team’s lineup in style.

Cline fired a six-hit shutout, walking one and striking out 10, and the second-seeded Warriors used a two-run first inning to give her all the run support she’d need in a 2-0 victory over No. 7 Gill St. Bernard’s in the quarterfinals of the Somerset County Tournament.

“Abby threw a great game and our defense made plays behind her,” said Watchung Hills coach Michael D’Alessandro, whose team will face No. 3 Bridgewater-Raritan in next Saturday’s semifinals. "That’s kind of been our formula most of the time.”

With Cline being rested the past two games, the Warriors started sophomore Jess Gaeta, who is normally Watchung Hills’ first baseman. And Gaeta responded with two good outings, including a brilliant performance against powerhouse Delaware Valley on Friday when she threw a two-hit shutout.

But having their ace back in the circle was a nice boost for the Warriors, and D’Alessandro feels it showed.

“They feel things are back to normal alignment with Jess getting back to first base,” D’Alessandro said. “Defensively, we’re better that way. I think everybody got a shot in the arm with Abby back out there because that’s what they’re used to seeing. They have more confidence with her, only because she’s done it more.”

Watchung Hills handled the offensive part of its day in the first inning. Freshman Gina Priore walked leading off, before senior Tina Scolaro singled. With one out, Dana Mertz singled to lead the bases, before Gaeta drove in Priore on a groundout and Scolaro scampered home on a wild pitch.

The Knights had a good scoring chance in the top of the first inning when Nicole Pisack singled to lead off and went to third on a one-out double by Miranda. But Cline rung up a pair of strikeouts to end the threat.

Gill St. Bernard’s rallied again in the seventh, as pinch hitter Amanda Greenberg reached on a two-out bunt single and went to third on a single by Pisak, who advanced to second on the throw. But Cline reared back and rung up her 10^th punch out to end the game.

The Warriors’ only other scoring chance came in the fifth inning when junior Brooke Nitti singled and stole second with one out, but the third
baseman was stranded by Gill St. Bernard’s ace Nicolette Miranda, who turned in a stellar outing of her own. The senior righty limited Watchung Hills to two runs on two hits and three walks, while striking out five.

“Fortunately, we made plays when we needed to,” D’Alessandro said. “I’ve got to give Gill a lot of credit. They definitely battled. If they had gotten a timely hit, they could have won this game. We just couldn’t hit this kid.”