CLARK, NJ- The Arthur L. Johnson High School Crusaders varsity softball team hit the field hoping to continue their run in the state tournament against the South Plainfield High School Tigers, a battle between teams who won sectional titles the past two seasons (Johnson in 2016 and South Plainfield in 2017, defending Group 3 State Champions).
The third-seeded Crusaders received timely hitting in key innings, featuring big hits from junior Hannah Brogan, senior starting pitcher Nicole Cassano and sophomore Megan Tinger, part of a nine-hit attack to defeat the sixth-seeded Tigers 7-1 in the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 2 Quarterfinals Wednesday afternoon in Clark.
The Johnson Crusaders (18-5) advance to the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 2 Semifinals for the fifth time in the past six seasons. They will travel to play at second-seeded Bordentown HS Friday afternoon at 4:00 p.m.
With one out in the bottom of the second inning, the Crusaders went right to work at the plate. After two straight singles, Hannah Brogan swung at a 1-0 pitch and sent the ball to deep right-center field for a triple, scoring senior Lauren Donah and sophomore courtesy runner Lia D’Angelo to give Johnson a 2-0 lead.
“Being able to get a hit in a big spot felt good because it helped out my team and allowed us to score first against a very good team,” Brogan said. “I think the energy our team had today helped us hitting in big spots today.”
It appeared that Johnson scored another run, with junior Bailey Rosenmeier hitting a flyball to center field for a sacrifice fly, scoring Brogan, but she was ruled out after she left third base early before the catch was made.
Cassano took the mound for Johnson and went right to work. She shut down South Plainfield through the first three innings before allowing the first base hit of the game to Holoboski in the top of the fourth inning.
“I knew I couldn’t underestimate [South Plainfield’s] batting and for me, I had to hit all my spots to make sure none of my pitches went down the middle and put a lot of spin on it,” Cassano said of her approach at the plate.
Overall, she struck out seven batters, walked one, scattering seven hits and allowing only one run in the top of the fifth inning.
“Nicole’s confidence and demeanor in the circle started us,” Johnson head coach Chris Di Nucci said. “She pitched great today, our defense behind her was awesome as well. Our catcher [Megan Tinger had] a great effort back there.”
