CLARK, NJ – Arthur L. Johnson High School senior Gianna Randazza hit two home runs, collected six RBI’s and pitched a one-hitter, as the Crusaders stormed past the Rahway High School Indians, 14-0, in the first round of the 2017 Union County Tournament Saturday afternoon. The win broke a recent Crusaders slump.
The Crusaders scored early in the bottom of the first inning. Following a lead-off single by senior Shannon Brogan (went to second base on error), Randazza drove her home with a single to make the score 1-0 Johnson.
In the bottom of the second inning, the Crusaders added four more runs. Brogan singled and went to second base on a throwing error, driving in sophomore Jenna Addie and junior Jen Tinger. With Brogan at second, Randazza took a 3-1 pitch and crushed it to left field and out for a two-run home run, as the Crusaders now held a 5-0 lead.
The bats remained hot for the Crusaders, as their offense exploded for nine runs in the bottom of the third inning. After junior Mackenzie Purcell reached on an error, a Jenna Addie walk and a Jen Tinger single, Brogan drove in two runs with a single to center field to make the game 7-0 Johnson. Tinger would come in to score on an error to make the score 8-0.
In total, Brogan went 2-for-3 with the four RBI’s on the afternoon. She praised her teammates for coming together as one to break out of the recent struggles with the great offensive game.
“I think we just stick together as a team and we play as a team,” Brogan said. “That helps a lot; it helps take the pressure off Gianna, especially when she’s pitching. It was really good today.”
Full Coverage of Johnson Softball’s UCT First Round Win Over Rahway HS
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