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C O M

Friday, April 19, 2013

C3

STARTING NINE
The senior third baseman is a four-year starter for the Fighting Clan. With her sweet swing from the left side, Garvey found her power stroke this week, clubbing an area-best three home runs in a twogame span. Entering Thursday, she led the team with a .500 batting average. Garvey took some time recently to chat about Vineland softball and other things.

Question 1) What have you enjoyed most about your senior year so far? A: The trip to Florida (with the softball team). I enjoyed that the most because we had a lot of memories. Now, were just picking it up as a team as we go along. 2) What is your favorite restaurant and whats the best item to get there? A: It has to be Friendlys. I like to get the barbeque chicken. 3) What is your favorite movie? A: Any scary movie.

4) Game-winning hit or game-saving catch, which is better? A: Game-winning hit. 5) If Americas got talent did a Vineland softball edition, which player would win? A: I would have to say Demi Murray. (Editors note: Murray participated in the Miss Vineland contest earlier this year.) 6) What would you like to major in at college and why? A: Im leaning toward criminal justice. I want to be a state trooper.

7) What advice would you give to younger players who are coming up in the Vineland softball program? A: Never underestimate yourself. 8) Without saying friends, what is your favorite thing about Vineland High School? A: The sports and how all the teams go and support each other. 9) Aside from sports, what is your favorite thing to do outside of school? A: Hanging out with friends.

BRIGITTE GARVEY
Vineland Senior Third base

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

Catchers are a different breed of softball player
By Tom McGurk
tmcgurk@thedailyjournal.com

AREA LEADERS
Batting Average Khyasia Floyd, Bridgeton .................. .667 Lindsey Gaines, Cumberland............. .577 Kodi Pollock, Cumberland ................. .545 Corie Collins, Millville ....................... .538 Jenna Montana, Bridgeton ............... .529 Jodi Cook, Cumberland..................... .500 Brigitte Garvey, Vineland.................. .500 Katie McCormick, Cumberland ......... .480 Rachel Rivera, Millville ..................... .478 Abby Pettit, Cumberland................... .476 Casey Derella, Millville ..................... .469 Danielle Lugo, Sacred Heart.............. .455 Jenna Cali, Delsea............................. .450 Carly Linus, Buena ............................ .450 Kady Mae Makos, Millville................ .429 Brittany Rivera, Millville .................... .417 Hits Casey Derella, Millville..........................15 Lindsey Gaines, Cumberland .................15 Corie Collins, Millville............................14 Brigitte Garvey, Vineland ......................12 Kady Mae Makos, Millville ....................12 Katie McCormick, Cumberland..............12 Kodi Pollock, Cumberland .....................12 Jodi Cook, Cumberland .........................11 Rachel Rivera, Millville ..........................11 Danielle Lugo, Sacred Heart ..................10 Abby Pettit, Cumberland .......................10 Brittany Rivera, Millville ........................10 Runs Samantha Caterina, Sacred Heart .........10 Katie McCormick, Cumberland..............10 Jodi Cook, Cumberland ..........................9 Casey Derella, Millville ...........................9 Brigitte Garvey, Vineland........................9 Carly Linus, Buena ..................................9 Emily Pettit, Cumberland ........................9 Rachel Rivera, Millville ...........................9 Lindsey Gaines, Cumberland...................8 Corie Collins, Millville .............................7 Natalie Giannascoli, Buena.....................7 Danielle Lugo, Sacred Heart....................7 Brittany Rivera, Millville..........................7 Alyssa Waddington, Sacred Heart ...........7 HRs Brigitte Garvey, Vineland........................3 Julia Voluntad, Delsea ............................3 Casey Derella, Millville ...........................2 Rachel Rivera, Millville ...........................2 RBIs Lindsey Gaines, Cumberland .................17 Natalie Giannascoli, Buena ...................12 Danielle Lugo, Sacred Heart...................11 Kady Mae Makos, Millville......................9 Jodi Cook, Cumberland ..........................8 Casey Derella, Millville ...........................8 Abby Pettit, Cumberland.........................8 Julia Voluntad, Delsea ............................8 Samantha Caterina, Sacred Heart ...........7 Kodi Pollock, Cumberland.......................7 Brigitte Garvey, Vineland........................6 Alex Lolli, Buena.....................................6 Rachel Rivera, Millville ...........................6 Alyssa Waddington, Sacred Heart ...........6 SBs Kayla Rodriguez, Vineland ......................4 Corie Collins, Millville .............................3 Brittany Rivera, Millville..........................3 Amanda Buckson, Millville .....................2 Casey Derella, Millville ...........................2 Jalene Garcia, Vineland ..........................2 Cassidy Gorgo, Millville ..........................2 Emily Pettit, Cumberland ........................2 Kodi Pollock, Cumberland.......................2 Katie Volov, Millville ...............................2 Pitching Wins Rosie LaGrotta, Sacred Heart..................6 Sam Monfredo, Buena............................4 Demi Murray, Vineland...........................4 Julia Voluntad, Delsea ............................4 Cassidy Gorgo, Millville ..........................3 Shayla Loud, Cumberland.......................3 Alexa Calareso, Millville..........................1 Sam Fiocchi, Buena .................................1 Abigail DiJoseph, Cumberland ................1 Jenna Montana, Bridgeton......................1 Alyssa Waddington, Sacred Heart ...........1 Innings Demi Murray, Vineland.........................46 Rosie LaGrotta, Sacred Heart................40 Shayla Loud, Cumberland.....................37 Cassidy Gorgo, Millville ........................33 Julia Voluntad, Delsea ..........................30 ERA Rosie LaGrotta, Sacred Heart .............0.70 Julia Voluntad, Delsea .......................0.70 Alexa Calareso, Millville.....................2.06 Cassidy Gorgo, Millville......................2.12 Demi Murray, Vineland......................2.28 Shayla Loud, Cumberland ..................3.02 Ks Julia Voluntad, Delsea ..........................40 Cassidy Gorgo, Millville ........................33 Demi Murray, Vineland.........................30 Rosie LaGrotta, Sacred Heart................25 Shayla Loud, Cumberland.....................24 Alexa Calareso, Millville ........................11 *Statistics provided by coaches and compiled through Wednesdays. For a larger list, please log onto our blog at thedailyjournal.com/playmakers

or catchers like Danielle Lugo, black and blue are the true colors of spring. The Sacred Heart High School junior proudly shows off the bumps and bruises that mark her arms, the results of biting foul tips, like they were the latest accessories to the catchers ensemble. While pitchers and shortstops are often considered the glamor positions on a softball diamond, catchers are a different breed and they take pride in their ability to handle the often unforgiving position behind the plate. They are the ones that work in the dirt, covered in sweat from the bulky equipment and ready to flip their mask off over and over and over again. You cant be a princess and be a catcher, Lugo said. Youve got to be tough. Its a tough position, but I love it. I love the action. Youre part of the game on every single play. Its great. So why would anyone want to put themselves through the grind of being a catcher? Were crazy, Vinelands Kylie Finley said. Any position on the field is hard, but theres just something about being a catcher that makes this position the hardest in my mind. The heat, the extra gear, the foul tips. Its also taxing on your knees and shoulders. But I wouldnt want to play another position. Neither Lugo nor Finley started out behind the dish, but each followed a similar path to those who ultimately strap up the shin guards and put the chest protector on. Both were infielders for their town ball teams, but when their coaches couldnt find someone to play the position, each gave it a try and quickly caught the catcher bug. Along with Millvilles Rachel Rivera, Buenas Ashley Surran, Delseas Trista Mokienko and Cumberlands Jackie Martin, Lugo and Finley make up an extremely talented catching corps in the area. It probably is the deepest position around here, theres some great athletes in that group, Sacred Heart coach Les Olson said. While theres the tough, physical part of catching, theres also the cerebral side

too. For many teams, catchers are the ones who call the pitches during the game, not the coaches. Surran earned the trust of coach Pam Pickett, who very rarely tosses the keys to her pitching game over to the receiver. Shes done a very nice job back there, Pickett said. Ill still make suggestions on pitches during the course of a game, but shes the one who has been calling it back there. Shes worked extremely well with all of our pitchers. And even when she doesnt call a pitch, the catcher still plays a key role in what pitch is thrown in a particular situation. If we have a runner on third base, Im still able to call for any pitch because I

know (Lugo) will go down there and get it if its in the dirt, Olson said. With that much influence on a game, its not surprising that the catcher is often a vocal leader on a team. I think you have to be, Filey said. You have to take charge. Youre the one who sees the entire field, everything is in front of you. Youre checking the defense, you see where the hitter is lining up in the box and you know what pitch is coming. Lugo added, Youve got to be able to settle down the pitcher if she gets into some trouble, you have to be able to tell everyone to Bring it in, calm everything down and play ball.

Sacred Hearts Danielle Lugo reacts after tagging out Buenas Stephanie Walsh on Tuesday.
STAFF PHOTO/ CRAIG MATTHEWS

LOCAL POLL
Super Six 1. Sacred Heart (7-0). The Lions have won 15 games in a row, dating back to last season; recorded back-to-back shutouts this week. 2. Buena (5-2). The Chiefs have dropped two straight to Shawnee and Sacred Heart by a total of three runs; team didnt lose two in a row last year until its final two games. 3. Cumberland (4-2). The Colts have scored 34 runs in their last three games, with two outbursts coming against top pitchers from Pennsville and Williamstown. 4. Delsea (4-2). The Crusaders bats came alive again during an 11-0 win over Schalick on Wednesday; team had scored eight total in previous three games. 5. Millville (5-4). After a thrilling comeback win over rival Vineland, the Thunderbolts could be in line for a nice long winning streak. 6. Vineland (4-3). The Fighting Clan have scuffled with three losses in their last four games, including two one-run defeats. *Records through Wednesday.

S.J. MEAN 15
1. Washington Twp ............................9-0 2. Eastern.............................................12-2 3. Shawnee ...........................................6-4 4. Sacred Heart ....................................7-0 5. Haddon Heights..............................7-2 6. Glou. Catholic..................................6-3 7. GCIT ....................................................5-1 8. Buena ................................................5-2 9. Hammonton ....................................7-2 10. Gloucester.......................................8-2 11. Kingsway.........................................8-4 12. Burlington Twp. ............................6-0 13. Florence...........................................5-0 14. Paul VI..............................................8-2 15. Cam. Catholic.................................5-3

Senior Trista Mokienko will lead Delsea into Saturdays Hammonton Invitational. The Crusaders face Shawnee in the opening round. STAFF PHOTO/CRAIG MATTHEWS