LINDEN, NJ- On a chilly and rainy night, the No. 1 ranked Arthur L. Johnson High School Crusaders softball team jumped out to a 5-0 lead over the No. 8 Brearley Bears, but had to hold them off in the end, coming away with the close 6-4 victory Friday night in Linden.
The game was scoreless through the first three innings, both pitchers battling on the mound.
In the top of the fourth inning with two outs, Brearley junior Sydney David appeared to get a base hit after hitting the ball to right field, but Johnson junior Nicole Cassano immediately heaved the ball to senior Stephanie Visconti at first base, narrowly getting the out to end the inning.
“I knew just the moment it came off the bat that it was a hard-hit ball so I had somewhat of a chance,” Cassano said. “Steph [Visconti] being a great first baseman is what saved me, so without her, I probably wouldn’t have made the play.”
