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Friday, May 17, 2013

T H E D A I LY J O U R N A L

T H E DA I LY J O U R N A L

E X T R A I NN I NGS
STARTING NINE
While short in stature, Vineland High Schools Demi Murray has always come up big in the pitching circle. Armed with a blazing fastball and much-improved secondary pitches, she has amassed 43 victories over the last three years and is a two-time Daily Journal All-Star. The southpaw recently took some time to talk about Vineland softball and other things.

Question 1 ) Have you ever tried to coax coach Alex Gomez into letting you hit? A: No, I havent at all. (Editors note: Murray hasnt had one at-bat in her entire scholastic career) 2) What is your favorite restaurant and what is the best item to get there? A: Kawa in Millville, probably the autumn roll. 3) What phone app cant you live without? A: Instagram.

4) Who is the biggest jokester on the team? A: Kayla Rodriguez. She just always has something to say. 5) If you can bring only one thing from home with you to Kutztown University, what would it be? A: I guess my glove. Thats why Im going there. 6) Do you like the designated hitter rule? A: Yes, because its useful for us.

7) What will you major in and why? A: Criminal Justice. I think I just have one of those personalities. 8) What are your plans for the summer before you go off to college? A: Probably get another job and go to the gym and guest play for other (softball) teams. 9) You have an inscription tattooed on your forearm, what is the saying? A: The past is practice.

DEMI MURRAY
Vineland Senior Pitcher

ALL IN THE FAMILY

S. Heart to celebrate alumni weekend
By Tom McGurk
tmcgurk@thedailyjournal.com

AREA LEADERS
Batting Average Janna Gaburo, Schalick...................554 Lindsey Gaines, Cumberland...........508 Jodi Cook, Cumberland ..................492 Becca Collins, Buena ......................483 Janessa Rios, Buena .......................476 Corie Collins, Millville .....................475 Stephanie Walsh, Buena.................468 Gabby Castellini, Sacred Heart........456 Liz Carpani, Vineland ......................452 Kodi Pollock, Cumberland...............450 Kylee Barton, Schalick.....................431 Casey Derella, Millville ...................427 Kylie Finley, Vineland ......................418 Carly Linus, Buena ..........................418 Ashley Surran, Buena......................418 Danielle Lugo, Sacred Heart ............416 Kaila Smith, Sacred Heart ...............408 Natalie Giannascoli, Buena.............400 Emily Pettit, Cumberland ................400 Hits Gabby Castellini, Sacred Heart..........36 Janna Gaburo, Schalick.....................36 Lindsey Gaines, Cumberland.............33 Jodi Cook, Cumberland ....................32 Casey Derella, Millville .....................32 Danielle Lugo, Sacred Heart..............32 Janessa Rios, Buena .........................30 Kaila Smith, Sacred Heart .................29 Samantha Caterina, Sacred Heart.....28 Becca Collins, Millville ......................28 Corie Collins, Millville .......................28 Carly Linus, Buena............................28 Emily Pettit, Cumberland ..................28 Ashley Surran, Buena .......................28 Kodi Pollock, Cumberland.................27 Natalie Giannascoli, Buena...............26 Kylee Barton, Schalick ......................25 Katie McCormick, Cumberland .........25 Runs Danielle Lugo, Sacred Heart..............34 Janessa Rios, Buena .........................32 Carly Linus, Buena ............................31 Gabby Castellini, Sacred Heart..........30 Jodi Cook, Cumberland ....................27 Ashley Surran, Buena .......................27 Kaila Smith, Sacred Heart .................26 Stephanie Walsh, Buena...................26 Samantha Caterina, Sacred Heart.....25 Janna Gaburo, Schalick.....................25 Natalie Giannascoli, Buena...............25 Emily Pettit, Cumberland ..................25 Home runs Julia Voluntad, Delsea ........................6 Casey Derella, Millville .......................5 Jackie Martin, Cumberland.................4 Brigitte Garvey, Vineland....................3 Rachel Rivera, Millville .......................3 Kaila Smith, Sacred Heart ...................3 RBIs Lindsey Gaines, Cumberland.............39 Kaila Smith, Sacred Heart .................32 Janessa Rios, Buena .........................27 Carly Linus, Buena............................26 Ashley Surran, Buena .......................26 Becca Collins, Buena ........................24 Natalie Giannascoli, Buena...............24 Danielle Lugo, Sacred Heart..............23 Gabby Castellini, Sacred Heart..........22 Samantha Caterina, Sacred Heart .....21 Abby Pettit, Cumberland ..................20 SBs Emily Pettit, Cumberland ....................8 Kayla Rodriguez, Vineland..................8 Gabby Castellini, Sacred Heart............7 Janessa Rios, Buena ...........................7 Danielle Lugo, Sacred Heart................6 Kodi Pollock, Cumberland...................6 Brittany Rivera, Millville .....................6 Pitching Wins Rosie LaGrotta, Sacred Heart ............16 Shayla Loud, Cumberland .................13 Demi Murray, Vineland .....................12 Janna Gaburo, Schalick .....................10 Cassidy Gorgo, Millville.....................10 Sam Monfredo, Buena........................9 Julia Voluntad, Delsea ........................8 Sam Fiocchi, Buena.............................7 ERA Sam Fiocchi, Buena........................0.63 Julia Voluntad, Delsea....................1.27 Rosie LaGrotta, Sacred Heart .........1.59 Alexa Calareso, Millville.................1.67 Demi Murray, Vineland ..................1.72 Shayla Loud, Cumberland ..............1.82 Cassidy Gorgo, Millville..................1.86 Sam Monfredo, Buena...................2.55 Strikeouts Julia Voluntad, Delsea.....................125 Demi Murray, Vineland ...................103 Cassidy Gorgo, Millville ....................89 Sam Fiocchi, Buena ...........................71 Janna Gaburo, Schalick .....................71 Rosie LaGrotta, Sacred Heart............69 Shayla Loud, Cumberland.................69 *Stats compiled by coaches through Wednesday; for a complete list go to our website at thedailyjournal.com/playmakers

Its being dubbed as an alumni weekend for the Sacred Heart High School softball program, but it will feel more like a family reunion. Cunningham Park will be the meeting place tonight and Saturday as the Lady Lions celebrate the past and present of their storied program. However, it will also have a slightly somber backdrop since there wont be a future of the program to look forward to as the school will close forever next month. Its definitely going to be bittersweet, said Trish Birmingham, a pitcher/first baseman who played on the 1999 sectional championship team, a member of the schools Athletic Hall of Fame and graduated from SHHS in 2000. But I cant wait to see everybody and put that uniform on once again. According to Sacred Heart coach Les Olson, Birmingham will be one of about 20 former Lions who will suit up for the alumni game, which will be played at 4 p.m. on Saturday. All alumni will be honored along with the Sacred Heart Softball Hall of Fame and Senior Night with ceremonies around 6:15 p.m. followed by the Middle Township-Sacred Heart varsity game at 7 p.m. Its going to be great to see all the girls and there will be all kinds of storytelling Im sure, Olson said. Senior Night is never an easy night and this one is going to have a little more meaning because its the last one. Its going to be Senior Night for everyone. All alumni will receive a Sacred Heart t-shirt with the inscription Family Forever, a fitting description of the program according to Birmingham. The school really did feel like a family, she said. It was small enough where you got to how everybody on a personal level. I feel bad for the future kids that wont be able to experience something like we had at Sacred Heart. Amanda Riegel was one of four sisters who attended and played softball at Sacred Heart. She fondly remembers her senior season when the 2004 team won the sectional final, but she says she had even more enjoyment watching her youngest sister Allison be a part of last years historic state championship squad. Ill always remember when we beat McCorristin Catholic in the South Jersey final, but I was even more proud when I got to see my sister win states, Amanda Riegel said. It gave me some closure in a way. A pitcher that hitters didnt want to face back in her playing days, Riegel will step into the circle again for the alumni game. Its going to be a lot of fun, said Riegel, who keeps her arm in shape while offering pitching lessons to local athletes.

SACRED HEART ALUMNI WEEKEND

At Cunningham Park Tonight 6:40 p.m. Pregame ceremony to honor the juniors on the team and the alumni on the field before the game. 7 p.m. Sacred Heart hosts Gloucester Catholic Saturday 3:15 p.m. Alumni Game warm-up 4 p.m. Alumni Softball Game 6:15 p.m. Lady Lions Family Forever ceremony, all alumni in attendance will be honored on the field along the SHHS Softball Hall of Fame and Senior Night 7 p.m Sacred Heart hosts Middle Township Approx. 8:45 p.m. Food and drinks for all Lady Lions softball alumni

Olsen said that some of the alumni will likely be a little rusty for the big game. However, Rachel Gavigan wont be one of

them. Gavigan is coming off a stellar freshman season at Mount St. Marys where the third baseman led the team in hits (44) and runs (24). Last spring, she helped guide Sacred Heart to its first-ever state championship in softball. Gavigan just laughed when she asked if she felt like a ringer for the game. Its going to be a great night, something Im really excited to be a part of, she said. I just hate the fact that its going to be the last one. Sacred Hearts all-time hit queen Arielle Bruno would love to be back in Vineland for the big event, but shes got some business to take care of in Louisiana. Bruno helped Central Connecticut State to its first-ever Northeast Conference championship and will play in the NCAA Regional at Louisiana State University this weekend. Olson also said he hopes former Sacred Heart coach Andy Bloom will be able to attend the festivities. Bloom coached the Lions from 1986-2003, winning a South Jersey title in 1999.

Former Sacred Heart softball players Trish Birmingham (left), Amanda Riegel and Rachel Gavigan are ready for Saturday's alumni game.
STAFF PHOTO/ CHARLES J. OLSON

MEAN 15
1. Washington Twp ...............................23-2 2. Haddon Heights .................................19-2 3. Sacred Heart ........................................21-3 4. Shawnee...............................................18-8 5. Eastern..................................................20-7 6. Buena ....................................................17-4 7. St. Joseph..............................................14-3 8. Camden Catholic ...............................18-7 9. Florence ...............................................18-0 10. Millville ..............................................12-6 11. Gloucester ..........................................17-4 12. Vineland ............................................12-5 13. GCIT......................................................16-5 14. Gloucester Catholic .........................13-8 15. Hammonton .....................................14-7
*Records through Wednesday

LOCAL POLL
Super Six 1. Sacred Heart (21-3) The Lions are 13-2 since their first-round exit at the Hammonton Tournament; swept season series from Buena. 2. Buena (17-4) The Chiefs are the top seed in the Group II South tournament, chasing programs first sectional title in 23 years. 3. Millville (12-6) The Thunderbolts are 8-2 over their last 10 games; CAL American Division I champions. 4. Vineland (12-5) The Fighting Clan are 9-3 since April 15, with two of the losses to rival Millville. 5. Cumberland (14-5) After nine straight wins, the Colts must deal with first two-game losing streak of the season going into the playoffs. 6. Delsea (9-8) The Crusaders pounded out 10 runs in each of the two games against Kingsway, but surrendered 23 and lost both contests. *Records through Wednesday.

Vineland's Brigitte Garvey makes a play on a grounder against Millville on May 9. The senior and the rest of the Fighting Clan will open the playoffs on Tuesday.
STAFF PHOTO/CRAIG MATTHEWS