Panthers Dominate Against Spartans

Rain could not damper the opener for the Panthers softball team as the girls defeated Immaculata 11-1 in a five-inning mercy rule game. The game was played at Diamond Nation in Flemington because of the turf surface, but was still considered a Bridgewater home game.

IN SHORT

Sloppy fielding initially put the Panthers behind after the top of the first inning. Once the team calmed down, the girls were able to put up five runs in the bottom of the frame and take advantage of mistakes that the Spartans made. The game ended when Bridgewater's Jordan Stephensen hit a walk-off double that cleared the bases and gave her four RBIs for the game.

PANTHER OF THE GAME

Alicia Gonnella—The senior pitched a five-inning complete game, giving up two hits, two strikeouts and two walks. The only blemish on her day was an unearned run in the first inning.

Gonnella escaped a jam in the top of the fifth when she loaded the bases. However, she was able to turn a double play after she caught a pop-up and caught the Immaculata runner off of second base.

"Alicia did what she always does," said head coach Sandy Baranowski. "She pitches a lot of junk pitches and really keeps the other teams off balance. She's going to do very well against some very good teams beause I think she's going to keep them off balance."

OTHER KEY PERFORMERS

Nicole Braun—2-for-3 with a triple and two runs scored. She led off the game with a sharp triple over the left fielder's head that set the tone for the Panthers.

Jordan Stephensen—2-for-4 with a double and four runs driven in. Her double in the bottom of the fifth ended the game for the Panthers after she cleared the bases.

THEY SAID IT

"Our three, four and five hitters are power hitters. Jordan hit the ball very well today, and we expect her to remain an anchor in our lineup all year."–Baranowski

Up Next—Gil St. Bernard's Saturday at 12 p.m. at Gil St. Bernard's High School.