Brookdale Softball Starts Season 10-1 on Southern Road Trip
LINCROFT – Brookdale’s women softball team returned home Wednesday night with a 10-1 record in the Snowbird Classic, held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
March 22, 2013
LINCROFT – Brookdale's women softball team returned home Wednesday night with a 10-1 record in the Snowbird Classic, held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Playing 11 games in six days, the Lady Blues threw six complete game shutouts, including a combined five-inning no hitter. They gave up only 11 runs in 11 games while scoring 87. Their team earned run average (ERA) was 0.93 and their opponents' batting average against them was a poultry .171.
"Our pitching staff was superb," head coach Bo Scannapieco said. "They exceeded my expectations. To watch them throw with the control they had and the way they dominated, was really exciting to see. All three girls threw exceptionally well on the trip."
Newcomer Samantha Hosey (Keansburg HS) was a stalwart, hurling four complete games, with three shutouts and posting a combined ERA of 0.97 in going 4-1 on the trip. Hosey, the Shore Conference leader in strikeouts her junior year, struck out 39 batters in 29 innings for a 9.41 K/G average, while only walking three.
In her game against Herkimer CC, ranked No.1 in NJCAA DIII Polls, she threw a complete game shutout, giving up four hits, no walks and striking out 13 (10 looking).
Returning starting pitcher Carly Gleason (22-2, 1.70 ERA and 95 S/O) was 3-0 with three compete games and a 1.24 ERA. Gleason (Brick Memorial HS) struck out 23 batters in 17 innings for a 9.47 K/G average. In pitching the final two innings of the no hitter against Morrisville, she struck all six batters she faced.
Sophomore Angie Hauser (Brick HS), who was 4-0 for the Blues as a spot starter and reliever last year, went 3-0 with three complete games posting a 0.70 ERA. Hauser struck out 27 hitters in 20 innings of work for a 9.45 K/G average, while walking only three batters. Hauser also hit .312 including a home run in the Herkimer game.
Brookdale hit .370 as a team on the trip and were led by veteran third baseman and cleanup hitter Allie Muratore (.415, 29 RBI, 28 R). Muratore (Middletown South HS) batted a sizzling .515 with 17 hits, including a home run, eight RBI's and a team leading 12 runs scored.
Sophomore captain and team leader Kathleen Sharp, a second team All-Region XIX selection in 2012 (.383, 4HR, 61RBI, 67R), is back behind the plate. Sharp (Toms River East), while slowed by injuries still managed to hit .364, with nine RBI's and two doubles.
Newcomers Bobbie Boehler (Raritan HS) at shortstop and Cassidy Brzozowski (third team all-shore at Howell HS) in centerfield were both outstanding on the trip. Boehler, who had the game winning hit in the 1-0 opening day win, averaged .438 while slugging a homer, triple and team leading 11 RBI's. Brzozowski hit .444 with a home run, double and 10 RBI's.
Returning first baseman Molly Carroll (.333, 1HR, 31RBI, 26R) had a solid trip batting .333 with two doubles and eight RBI's. Carroll was 2-0 as a spot starter and reliever last year.
Scannapieco really likes his team's attitude. "They were hurting and worn out the last day. It was a struggle but they got through it; no one asked out. They are a gritty and tough group of girls. Eleven games in six days is rough, they deserve a lot a credit."
The personality of the team is still developing, said Scannapieco. "Our pitching and defense is tremendous right now. Our offense is coming along and our power is starting to take shape. I'm really looking forward to this year."
Brookdale (10-1) plays back-to-back double headers this Saturday and Sunday with a 1:00 P.M. first pitch both days. Saturday Lehigh Carbon travels to Brookdale, while Sunday the Blues host Luzerne CCC.
By Mike Ready