Softball: Delaware Valley Ends Johnson's Season

The Reccords: The Johnson Crusaders (17-7) hosted Delaware Valley (18-6) in Clark for the second round of the NJSIAA state tournament on Thursday.

The Final Score: 3-0, Delaware Valley. It was a pitching duel on hot and sunny Thursday afternoon to find out who would advance to the third round of the NJSIAA state tournament. Johnson junior pitcher Alison Meagher got through the top of the first inning with two ground outs and a line out. Besides a hit by pitch, the bottom of the first went just as quickly for Delaware Valley senior pitcher Kaitlyn Johnson with two strike-outs and a pop out.

Alison Meagher retired the first eight batters she faced until there was one out in the top of the third inning and Delaware Valley finally got the scoring under way. Two singles and a double drove in two runs to put the Frenchtown school up 2-0. The Crusaders were unable to respond as they went into the bottom of the fifth without getting a hit.

Freshman catcher Veronica Zatko ended the no-hitter with a one out double. Kaitlyn Johnson struck out the next two batters to end the inning without giving up any runs. The Crusaders got their best chance in the bottom of the sixth as senior center fielder Victoria Martin and freshman third baseman Michelle Pozyk reached base with singles and one out. Delaware Valley again got out of the inning without giving up any runs. They added a third run to their lead in the top of the seventh to go up 3-0. Pinch hitting junior Sarah Panetta struck out, Veronica Zatko popped out and sophomore first baseman Patti Bailey struk out to end the game and the season for Johnson as Delaware Valley moved on.

Key Players: Delaware Valley pitcher Kaitlyn Johnson pitched a strong game going all seven innings, letting up only three hits, and striking out 14. Alison Meagher pitched a complete game for Johnson letting up three runs, nine hits, and striking out eight. At the plate, Veronica Zatko had a double in the bottom of the fifth for Johnson's best hit of the day.

The Quote: “She threw well (Kaitlyn Johnson). She had good stuff and mixed up speeds,” said Johnson coach Mike Mancino. “We finally got on her late in the game but we couldn't get that that in the sixth and all positive. It was a great year. Our girls battled and there's a lot of talent on this team and we showed that by winning the conference championship.”

What's Next: That was the final game of the season for Johnson as they finished with a 17-8 record. They won their conference and made it to the second round of the county and state tournaments. Next season, they will be without seniors Alison Calo, Alexandra Cocchia, Kelsey Herbig, Lexi LaSala, Victoria Martin, and Cat Riechers.

The Silver Lining: Johnson defeated Brearley 5-1 on Wednesday to capture the conference title. “Our seniors played very well,” said coach Mancino. “Cat Riechers got a big hit. Victoria Martin had two hits and drove in two runs. Ali Meagher pitched very well and got the win for us and only let up five hits. Cindy Wilson had a deep double. We also played very well defensively.”

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JOHNSON VARSITY SOFTBALL 2011 SEASON

4/5 -Win: Johnson 7, Rahway 1.

4/6 -Win: Johnson 2, New Providence 1.

4/7 - (DH) Tie: Johnson 1, Union Catholic 1.
Win: Johnson 4, Union Catholic 0. (DH)

4/9 - (DH) Loss: Johnson 2, Iselin Kennedy 3.
Loss: Johnson 1, Woodbridge 11

4/11 – Loss: Johnson 2, Governor Livingston 16

4/14 – Win: Johnson 4, Westfield 1

4/16 - Win: Johnson 11, Summit 3

4/19 - Win: Johnson 6, Roselle Park 1

4/21 - Win: Johnson 11, Brearley 1

4/26 – Win: Johnson 9, Rahway 2

4/27 – Win: Johnson 6, New Providence 1

4/30 – Win: Johnson 17, Plainfield 0

5/2 – Win: Johnson 16, Roselle 1

5/5 – Win: Johnson 15, Summit 5

5/7 – Win: Johnson 14, Scotch Plains-Fanwood 0

5/10 – Loss: Johnson 2, Roselle Park 3

5/13 – Loss: Johnson 1, Westfield 3

5/20 – Win: Johnson 8, Scotch Plains 5

5/21 – Loss: Johnson 0, South Plainfield 2

5/23 – Loss: Johnson 3, Union Catholic 5

5/24 – Win: Johnson 3, Shore 2

5/25 – Win: Johnson 5, Brearley 1

5/26 – Loss: Johnson 0, Delaware Valley 3