There was some tremendous performances by shortstops in Essex County softball on April 27. Let’s start at Nutley, where Columbia came to town for what was supposed to be one game, but ended up as a doubleheader.
Columbia won the first game, 4-0, as junior shortstop Hudson Hassler hit a long double to ignite one rally and made some impressive plays in the field to negate Nutley threats.
Nutley shortstop Melanie Conca was also outstanding in the field. While Nutley and Columbia split two games, there was a bit of a pall on the Nutley side as senior outfielder Courtney Wilde suffered what appeared to be a serious leg injury while sliding into third base in the first game against Columbia.
Courtney Wilde, here celebrating her 1,000th career point with the Nutley High basketball team last winter, injured her leg during a softball game on April 27.
Wilde, one of the better all-around athletes for the Raiders (she’s a 1,000 point scorer for the basketball team) was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. She will play softball at Rutgers this fall.
Montclair shortstop Francesca (Frankie) Testa extended her thoughts to Wilde.
“Courtney and I are teammates in the summer,” said Testa, who had her usual outstanding game against Belleville. “I hope she’s okay. She’s a really nice person. I’ll have to call her later.”
At the Belleville-Montclair game, the Bucs remained undefeated with a come-from-behind 3-2 win over the Mounties, in Montclair.
Cherylann Nicosia drove in two runs for Belleville (13-0) and made a tremendous defensive play in the seventh inning to help seal the win. Nicosia, a senior catcher who will play at Springfield College, fielded a well-placed bunt in front of home plate, then made a perfect throw to first for the key second out of the inning.
Earlier in the game, Belleville shortstop Janelle McCann made a outstanding catch of a line drive that seemed destined for a double to quell a Montclair rally.
“That was a huge play,” said Belleville coach Chris Cantarella of McCann’s catch. “It helped win the game for us.”
Belleville coach Chris Cantarella along with (l to r) Charlotte Colon, Cherylann Nicosia and Janelle McCann. (Click on photo for larger image)
Belleville pitcher Charlotte Colon pitched a complete game, striking out six and walking five while giving up four hits and just one earned run. Montclair pitcher Aliyah Andrews also pitched well, allowing four hits while striking out two and walking two.
After the game, Cantarella sought out Testa to congratulate her on a good game.
“She’s just a tremendous player,” said Cantarella of Testa, who will play at Franklin & Marshall this fall.
Livingston won two impressive games at the annual Black & Gold Tournament, in Cedar Grove, defeating Bridgewater Raritan, 7-6, and DePaul, 13-8, to improve to 10-4 on the season.
In the first game, Guilia Wilson was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Chloe Saperstein and Emily Hunter had two hits each for the young Lancers, who continue to get better with each game. Jess Bullion was the winning pitcher, striking out four and scattering nine hits.
Livingston’s Chloe Saperstein (right) and Columbia’s Hudson Hassler are competitors during the high school season and teammates during the summer season. (Photo courtesy of Craig Saperstein)
In the second game, Livingston took an early 6-0 lead and went on to defeat DePaul, behind an 11-hit attack.
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