CLARK, NJ- The Johnson varsity softball team will face off on the road at Raritan HS in the NJSIAA Central, Group 2 Quarterfinals Monday afternoon at 4:00 p.m., a game featuring two teams who have had successful seasons, talented players and new coaches for both sides.
The game will be played in Hazlet, New Jersey, while Raritan High School is located.
Chris Di Nucci leads Johnson in his first season, while Marc Rosner is in his first season at the helm of the Raritan softball team. Johnson is coming off a 14-0 win over East Brunwick Tech HS in the NJSIAA Central, Group 2 First Round, while Raritan ousted Holmdel HS 8-2 in their state tournament first round matchup.
In the past, Johnson has taken the last two meetings with Raritan HS in the state playoffs, winning the 2014 NJSIAA Central, Group 2 Quarterfinals by a final score of 7-2 and winning the quarterfinals last year 2-1 on a bottom of the sixth inning base hit.
The Crusaders managed six hits when facing East Brunswick Tech HS, but got the benefit of 13-14 walks and 4 four hit-by-pitch to take in the win.
A team like Raritan is always full of talent and a chance to provide major competition for the Crusaders, who completed their regular season against Immaculata HS on Friday, May 19.
Johnson comes into the game with an 18-9 record, while Raritan comes in with a 16-6 record.
Johnson wins IF: First, the offense capitalizing on scoring opportunities, a recurring theme that has usually been the main factor in Johnson wins and losses. They need to wait for the right pitches to hit, try to take a chance at scoring on heads-up base running and needing to pick each other up whenever there is a missed chance for a hit by a teammate.
Second, playing on defense, there cannot be many errors made. A Shore Conference team like Raritan will cash in on chances to score and could make you pay for any miscues that are made in the field.
Third, timely hitting will also become a crucial factor for Johnson. In last year’s NJSIAA Central, Group 2 Quarterfinals matchup, the Crusaders, after surrendering a 1-0 lead, put the go-ahead run on base following a walk, a successful sacrifice bunt and the RBI single that gave them the 2-1 lead.
Projected Lineup:
1. Shannon Brogan- SS (Senior)
2. Lauren Donah- LF (Junior)
3. Gianna Randazza- P (Senior)
4. Nicole Cassano- RF (Junior)
5. Victoria Zatko- C (Sophomore)
6. Megan Tinger- 1B (Freshman)
7. Mackenzie Purcell- 2B (Junior)
8. Jenna Addie- DP (Sophomore)
9. Jen Tinger- 3B (Junior)
Chris Di Nucci is in his first season as the Johnson softball head coach and his assistant coaches are Laura Bundy (JV head coach), Andrea Ascolese and Amanda Merten, a 2015 Johnson graduate.
