CLARK, NJ- With the softball season coming to an end in Bordentown on Friday, May 26, I am saddened that it’s all come to a close, as it really feels like the end of an era for Johnson softball. They went 19-10 in their first year under a new varsity head coach and had a lot of good things happen throughout the season.
With the season ending Friday, there are two players I will really miss covering, with their careers coming to a close, Gianna Randazza and Shannon Brogan.
This picture was one I took following the Union County Tournament Semifinals win over Westfield HS on Sunday, May 7, 2017, a 7-4 win that was sweet revenge for Westfield taking the first two games against us. I saw other people taking their picture and needed to get in there to get a shot myself, one of several great memories of the two. They were absolutely the best two captains I’ve seen in Johnson softball, alongside the 2016 team.
After the final run scored Friday, the hole of emptiness began opening, just sad that their magnificent careers at ALJ are over, but I know it’s only the beginning of their college careers.
Gianna Randazza- #10- P/1B
Where can I begin with Gianna?
The best pitcher to step foot in Arthur L. Johnson High School, period! I remember watching her in games her freshman year and kept thinking to myself that she was going to be a really great player. A record of 15-3 her freshman year (2014) with 143 strikeouts, which I thought qualifies as really good, doesn’t it? I didn’t know her all that well, but although they came up short in the NJSIAA Central, Group 2 Semifinals that year, I knew she would get even better and continue to improve.
They did win the conference that year, something she was a part of. A 22-3 record, a major improvement from the 13-11 record the 2013 team posted, when I was the manager. Which, I really feel that this was the cornerstone of me becoming a sportswriter. I really enjoy calculating the statistics and taking the game notes and doing all the research for each game.
She also had 42 hits, four home runs, 32 RBI’s, six doubles and seven triples, I mean, wow, don’t think you see any player, even all the years I’ve watched baseball, I have never seen anyone do what she did. I remember Coach Mancino added her to the pitching rotation and that was a great move on his part because she was an absolute force on the mound! Also, she had a batting average of .480, which once again, you’ll never see out of any players, no matter how passionate they are.
As her sophomore year rolled around, I began interning with TAPinto Clark, where I still currently work and enjoy covering games and writing stories. I remember that 2015 start she had against Westfield, although that “close call” at first base prevented a chance at a perfect game, she still handcuffed a really good Westfield team.
It was tough to see them not win a state championship that year, but they went 22-6, but I still believed Gianna was going to get a chance at one, it was just a matter of waiting for next season. I can painfully remember receiving a text message that the 2-0 loss to Matawan would seal the deal on another great team and that there were going to be some shoes that were going to have to be filled with the 2015 seniors graduated.
That season, she went an astounding 15-5 on the mound and recorded 121 strikeouts. In addition, she had a stellar sophomore year at the plate, a batting average of .570, with 57 hits, 54 RBI’s, nine home runs, 18 doubles and four triples. I remember seeing most of the home runs and they were really cool to see. It would only set the stage for her junior year, probably my favorite seasons I’ve covered.
April 11, 2016 was a great day for a softball game, especially for Gianna, who six days prior to this, recorded her 100th career hit in a 17-7 win over Roselle Park HS. Gianna retired the first 18 batters she faced against Westfield HS. Normally, I stayed silent, not wanting to jinx a good streak, so I remained silent. However, a weird bouncing of the ball and a mishandling of the ball, thank goodness, was ruled an error almost immediately. I almost breathed a loud sigh of relief, but was hoping for a perfect game, but what happened next was great. She struck out the next three batters to secure her first career no-hitter of her high school career. It was a 5-0 Johnson win over Westfield HS.
Next up, I constructed a feature story on her, commemorating her achievement, as she had a lot of good things in that one day. Once it was up, I felt excited for everyone to read it and it really felt good seeing her do these amazing things. The Crusaders always had the monkey on their backs with the Union County Tournament, running out of steam in the semifinals round, but 2016 would not be another year.
They took out Rahway (15-3), Brearley (6-4) and Westfield (12-1) to reach the Union County Tournament Finals against their major rival, Governor Livingston. Gianna, as always, stepped up to the task, shutting down the Highlanders, en route to the program’s first Union County Tournament championship since 1981, a 7-0 victory. In total, she was part of the dominant Crusaders team, outscoring their opponents in the Union County Tournament 40-8.
I remember the joy on Gianna’s face, as well as her teammates, they finally broke through. I remember the moment of stepping onto the field, capturing in the moments of the championship. I mean, I cried tears of joy putting the story together. That was a great championship for her to add to her list, helping the program do what previous classes came up short with. Two days after that, the conference championship went to Johnson, a 6-4 victory over Governor Livingston, 2/3 of the way towards completing the trifecta.
That night, getting invited to her parents’ house for the post game party, just great. I’ll always remember the great memories like that. It made time being a well, you could term me, beat writer. May 14, 2016 will forever be a great day for that program, finally capturing one of three coveted titles that always seemed to skate past the football team.
Then, one thing was missing, a state championship. That would soon change. Following a 11-1 win over Monmouth in the NJSIAA Central, Group 2 First Round on May 23, 2016, set up the start of a run towards that goal. Another no-hit bid came in the quarterfinals round against Raritan HS, but a game-tying RBI single broke that, but Johnson countered and escaped with the 2-1 win to move them one win away from an appearance in that game.
The NJSIAA Central, Group 2 Semifinals on May 31, 2016 at Bordentown HS featured not only a powerhouse pitcher/batter in Gianna, but in Debra Jones. The two were dealing, but Gianna’s teammates picked her up huge hits, including that inside-the-park-home run from Stephanie Visconti.
June 2, 2016 is another significant one, but this one resonates in our minds with what she and her teammates were about to. After an early fight against Voorhees, the bottom of the sixth inning was where they would bring the championship in. Her one swing of the bat was the best sight, sending it over the wall and making Johnson the 2016 Central, Group 2 State Champions.
The unexpected quest for a fourth title, in the Group 2 State Tournament, was something I didn’t expect to see happening. You had Gianna and her teammates, the 23-8 Crusaders against the 21-2 West Deptford Eagles team that had a dominant lineup in the NJSIAA Group 2 State Semifinals on Tuesday, June 7, 2016. They were no match for Randazza, she went right through that lineup and hit a key home run en route to a 6-5 win and an appearance in the NJSIAA Group 2 State Finals.
I have been speechless over how she’s been able to do everything. A record of 15-6 on the mound with 149 strikeouts. At the plate, she had an astounding .438 batting average, 46 hits, three home runs, 50 RBI’s, ten doubles, three triples and three championships!
Prior to the 2017 season, the family had such a great month of February, when her father, Greg, became one of the three new inductees. I always had respect for Gianna’s parents, Maria and Greg and I was eager to do the story on her dad, after pitching the idea following a link that was posted on social media, saying he was being inducted into the Union County Baseball Hall of Fame on February 12, 2017.
The ceremony was very nice, he spoke to the people there, thanking his family and it was really a great day. Gianna also received an award and her track and field coach Anthony DelConte was there, along with new softball head coach Chris Di Nucci. Her former softball head coach, Mike Mancino, for her first three years, was also invited to the ceremony.
It was really great to be part of a great story and seeing Mr. Randazza receive the well-deserved honor that he did, as well as see Gianna receive the award for all her hard work as well.
2017 would bring changes, including a new head coach in Di Nucci, one of Gianna’s track and field coaches, making it easier for him, since he’s coached a few of the girls in track and field. She was one of the captains, along with Shannon Brogan.
The greatest early moment, when she pitched her heart out in the second game of the season, a 2-1 win over Immaculate Heart Academy, who was then ranked No. 1 in the state of New Jersey on April 9, 2017.
After falling to 6-5, Gianna, I believe, was put to the test as a leader and captain, along with Shannon and they would turn it around heading into the 2017 Union County Tournament. Being 7-6 entering, they would improve their record to 15-7, including a 7-4 win over South Plainfield HS in 9 innings. Although they lost to Governor Livingston HS in the 2017 Union County Tournament Finals, she still held GL’s lineup down to only a few base runners.
She recorded her 500th career strikeout on Tuesday, May 9, a 5-3 win over Elizabeth HS.
She threw another no-hitter in the NJSIAA Central, Group 2 First Round win over East Brunswick Tech HS by a final score of 14-0. She would capture her 59th career victory in the NJSIAA Central, Group 2 Quarterfinals over Raritan HS, a 4-3 win.
Everything would end in the NJSIAA Central, Group 2 Semifinals at Bordentown HS. After taking a 3-0 lead, the Scotties opened the game up, as they closed the door on Johnson, 13-3, the final score. A feeling of sadness just sort of attached to myself, feeling crushed for Gianna, that it was all over after that.
Her senior season, she posted a 14-7 record on the mound and 113 strikeouts. At the plate, she posted a .480 batting average, 47 hits, ten home runs, 43 RBI’s, 14 doubles and three triples. Once again, she dominated the competition like she always does.
Her final career totals are absolutely amazing and incredible, all new records at Arthur L. Johnson High School, including:
-59-21 record
-532 strikeouts
-.492 batting average
-192 hits
-26 home runs
-179 RBI’s
-48 doubles
-17 triples
My favorite memory, without a doubt, her three-run home run that secured the program’s first state sectional championship since 1996. I remember how loud it got in Brewer Field the very minute it crossed fair territory and sailed 200 feet out. I couldn’t hear anything else other than my own thoughts, but it made my headline really good to write that night once I was home and working on it. That was like a storybook ending to a historic season.
Also, her three-run home run that everyone’s jaws drop in Rowan University. Trying to walk her, was sort of like playing with fire and she only burned West Deptford with talent and class, blasting that softball the other way and out. They would reach the NJSIAA Group 2 State Finals, something I don’t believe anyone saw coming. Not even myself. I was proud of everything that had happened that 2016 season.
I’m trying not to act wishy-washy or get teary but, man, I feel blessed that I’ve covered one of the best softball players that’s ever stepped foot in Arthur L. Johnson High School!
Her No. 10 jersey should never be reissued again, in my opinion, since she is now a Johnson softball legend. One of the best high school players to play the game!
Gianna, thank you for making the games so fun to watch! I have no doubt you’ll do even better things at Boston College and I can’t wait to see it all happen! I’ll always remember your days of high school softball!
Shannon Brogan- #9- SS
Shannon Brogan was another major leader of the Johnson softball team, even when she was a junior, when some of the best stuff happened that year for not just her, but the program. I can also recall watching her play in a few games prior to the bulk of her freshman year and knew she was going to achieve great things with the program.
I can remember her at second base for her first two seasons, before she became the full-time shortstop following the graduation of the 2015 seniors. My memories of her playing during my years of coverage are more vivid during her junior and senior years.
I saw her career numbers from her first two years with the team and it was clear she really improved and always wanted to get better at the game, day-in and day-out.
Her freshman year, she had a .318 batting average, 21 hits, four doubles and 11 RBI’s, which is pretty good for someone playing on the varsity team in her first year of high school. A starting infielder as a freshman on the varsity team could be challenging, but I believe she lived up to the task.
As her career shifted towards her sophomore year, she posted numbers that included an improved batting average that was .402, 33 hits, 12 doubles, two triples and 26 RBI’s. To have 54 hits after your first two years of high school is not something that you would see in most athletes today, unless they are really, really good.
I remember her mom, Sue, always had a camera with her and always got such great pictures of certain moments of the games, way better than me, but they were always great shots. As her junior year came to a close, after the state tournament first round win over Monmouth, she was at 98 career hits.
I remember her dad, Jim telling me that she was closing in on 100 career hits, that it could come in the quarterfinals game against Raritan the following day, that left me a tad bit deflated inside, thinking I could miss out on watching it happen, but that didn’t happen. It set the stage for her to achieve the milestone in a really good spot for her team in the state tournament.
On May 31, 2016, the Crusaders were at Bordentown HS in the NJSIAA Central, Group 2 Semifinals, a chance to possibly break another curse, getting past that one round. She got a single in the top of the fourth inning that set up Stephanie Visconti’s RBI single that gave Johnson a 1-0 lead. The biggest moment of her junior year, however, would come in a big spot.
In the top of the sixth inning, she led off the inning with a sharp double that got the inning started, her 100th career hit. Two batters later, Visconti hit an inside-the-park two run home run that gave her team the 4-2 lead. After getting the final six outs, Johnson would close out Bordentown, punching their ticket to the NJSIAA Central, Group 2 State Sectional Final.
The posters were made, commemorating her 100th career hit, I never envisioned it was coming in a big game like this. I also put together a story on her softball career, the middle of a series of game stories and stories, in general.
In the NJSIAA Central, Group 2 State Sectional Final, she seemed so calm in the biggest moments. After Jen Tinger and Gabby Zatko got on base with two outs, she sent a tough pitch to right field, a bloop single to give her team a 3-2 lead, scoring Tinger. It was the beginning of the celebration, as the Crusaders finally broke through and completed the trifecta.
That year, she posted numbers that consisted of a .467 batting average, 48 hits, 11 doubles, two triples and 17 RBI’s.
As she moved into her senior year, I can remember she wasn’t far off from 150 career hits, so I remember her dad telling me she had the goal of 150 hits, so I had hope she was going to accomplish the milestone.
Her senior year featured a new head coach in Chris Di Nucci, but not too much changing, even with the 2016 seniors having graduated.
An example of how tough and passionate softball players are, she injured her shoulder with a slide into third abse in a 7-4 win in nine innings over South Plainfield HS on May 10. She only missed the next day of practice and was playing shortstop in the crucial games, while playing DH in some games to rest her arm and shoulder.
She had 149 hits following the last regular season game at Immaculata HS, but in the NJSIAA Central, Group 2 Quarterfinals at Raritan HS, she cashed in to achieve her personal goal of 150 career hits in high school. I was happy for her and happy for the team, as they gave themselves a chance to compete against the really tough teams.
As the game at Bordentown HS got way out of hand, I knew this would be the end of a great career for her.
Overall, she made a major stride her senior year, posting numbers such as a .467 batting average, 50 hits, 12 doubles, one triple and 27 RBI’s. She was also, I remember, really fast on the bases, stealing 28 bases to finish with 31 stolen bases.
Overall, Shannon really had a magnificent career with Johnson softball. Some of the numbers she posted that included:
-.425 batting average
-152 hits
-39 doubles
-Five triples
-81 RBI’s
-31 stolen bases
At times, Shannon reminded me of Brett Gardner, one of the really good Yankees players, with her style of play, striking from time-to-time with key hits and making big plays.
What I mostly liked most about Shannon was her playing through the shoulder soreness for the final 2 1/2 weeks of her senior year and how she put the team before herself when she achieved the milestone of 100 career hits. It was in such a crazy point of a state semifinals game and she treated it like any other hit. Those two hits in that game were the catalyst towards setting three of those four runs.
Another favorite memory was definitely when she put the team ahead 3-2 with the bloop RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning of the NJSIAA Central, Group 2 State Sectional Final on June 2, 2016. That started the beginning of Johnson coming through for the program’s first state sectional championship since 1996. I feel happy I was able to watch her not only become a better softball player, but a better leader over the years!
Shannon, you’ve had a great career and I can’t wait to see all the good things you’ll accomplish at Moravian College with Division II Softball and I really enjoyed covering your career! You’ve really left an impact on the program, as did Gianna!
One last note, I think both Gianna and Shannon’s parents have a lot to be proud of, they helped mold both girls into really good softball players and it was really showed in the high school success they both had.
What more can I say? Two great players to have ever stepped foot in Arthur L. Johnson High School and to step on the field at Brewer Field and wear the Johnson softball uniform. I really can’t believe they’re both graduating, seems like yesterday when their careers were just starting out! And it feels great knowing I was part of the ride, being there to cover their careers!
