Bears fall short ahead of playoffs

Two of the best Group 2 softball teams in South Jersey played a game of great pitching, amazing defense and timely hitting at the Johnson Boulevard fields in Gloucester City on May 12.

Delran pitcher Mary Masterson, a left-handed sophomore, and Lions’ pitcher Emma Dick, a right-handed senior, kept hitters off balance with a mix of fastballs, change-ups and curve balls in a classic pitcher’s duel.

The game stayed scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning, when the top of the batting order for defending state champion Gloucester City exploded with four consecutive hits and three runs for a 3-0 victory over the Bears. The two teams – with 16 wins each – could face each other in the upcoming NJSIAA South Jersey playoffs.

In the first inning, Dick struck out the side hitting the corners on both sides of the plate. Masterson gave up a hard-hit single by Ava Moore in the bottom of the first, but quickly worked out of trouble by retiring the next two batters.

Lions’ first baseman Vayda Pino made a nice stop on a hard grounder by Delran’s Colbie Aleszczyk and Dick retired the side in order in the top of the second. Masterson responded by retiring three straight batters after giving up a walk to Alyssa Frame.

Delran threatened in the top of the third when Lili Roccato laced a single and then stole second base. Ellie Haskell followed with a single to right to put runners on first and third with two outs. Mylie Karasek then lined a shot up the middle that Dick fielded with a snap of glove and threw to first to end the rally.

In the bottom of the inning, Masterson shut down the Lions again, helped by a great play by third baseman Gemma DeJoseph, who fielded the ball cleanly and rifled it to first base for the out.

The top of the fourth featured another rally by the Bears started by Danielle Gorman with a sharp single up the middle. Aleszczyk then hit a line drive to right field, followed by Gianna Spinelli putting down a perfect bunt between the pitcher and third baseman to load the bases. But catcher Gabbie Maldonado made a great throw behind the runner at first to end the threat.

Vayda Pino led off the fourth for the Lions and hit a foul ball down the right-field line. Roccato banged into the fence trying to catch it just out of reach, and told coach Rich Cordero that she was okay. Masterson retired all three batters and the game was still scoreless.

In the top of the fifth, Dick struck out the first two batters with great pitches, and shortstop Ava Moore made a great stop and a strong throw to first to end the inning. Alexis Ullman hit a sharp grounder up the middle for a single in the bottom of the fifth for the Lions.

Masterson struck out the next batter, then first baseman Danielle Gorman made an incredible diving catch on a bunt attempt. Masterson fielded a grounder and threw to first for the final out.

In the top of the sixth, Dick struck out the first batter but the ball got away. Maldonado got out of her crouch quickly, fielded the ball and threw out the runner. Shortstop Moore made another nice play on a ground ball. The game was still scoreless.

In the bottom of the sixth, the bats came alive for the Lions, who have won the last two Group 2 state championships and are coached by Megan Mason with help from her father, David Light.

Leadoff hitter Bailey Schoenfeldt lined a single into left field, and promptly stole second base. Ava Moore hit a line drive to right field and Schoenfeldt raced around the bases and slid into home, scoring the first run in a cloud of dirt. Pino then hit a shot to left center that split the outfielders for a double, scoring Moore.

The fans roared when Maldonado smashed the ball into center and it got over the outfielder’s outstretched glove for another double and a 3-0 lead.

Dick shut down the Bears in the top of the seventh for the shutout, inducing two grounders to shortstop and striking out the final batter to end the game, a tune-up for both teams as the get ready for the playoffs.