The Brookdale Jersey Blues softball team earned the prestigious title of NJCAA Division III Region 19 North Atlantic A District Champions over the weekend, beating the Lehigh Carbon Community College Cougars (PA), 3-2, 10-6. Brookdale’s Head Coach, Bo Scannapieco, was named Region XIX Coach of the Year, and freshman pitcher, Gianna Praet was named Tournament MVP.
In the first game, freshman shortstop, Nicolette Pavlik, slammed a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth, which was marked as the game winner. Freshman first baseman, Adriana Noterile, had an RBI single in the second inning, and freshman center fielder, Amaya Marrero had a RBI single in the third inning. Freshman winning pitcher, Gianna Praet earned her 14th win with six strikeouts. Crucial hits also came from freshman second baseman, Julia Canal, who went 2-3.
In game two, the championship game, Brookdale put the game away with a four-run fifth inning, led by an RBI double from Julia Canal, an RBI single by freshman center fielder, Alyssa Sigler, and two errors made by the Cougars. Julia Canal added a two-run double in the four-run 4th inning which also featured an RBI double by Adriana Noterile, and a sac fly from Alyssa Sigler. Both Canal an freshman first baseman, Charlotte Piper, went 3-4 with doubles. Sigler finished with two hits and two RBI’s, and winning pitcher in relief, Gianna Praet, threw for two scoreless innings with three strikeouts, her 15th win, and was named tournament MVP.
The new Region XIX North Atlantic A District Champs are awaiting their seed, and will move on to the NJCAA DIII Championship in Dewitt, NY, which is held from May 25th – 28th.