NORTH CALDWELL- West Essex’s Brooke Gillen knew the game was probably on the line in the top of the sixth inning as she faced a difficult spot with runners on second and third and no one out while trying to protect an 8-3 lead that her teammates had provided her with a big 6-run fifth.
“In a situation like that I’m just thinking it’s me and my catcher Carleigh (Patlock), and I know my fielders will do their part, so I have to try and hit my spots and get some more outs,” said the Knights’ junior pitcher. “I’m always thinking about what the batters did in a previous at bat, I study that and see what I can get them out on.
“Fortunately, I was able to get those outs we really needed and we were on our way to a real good victory!”
With Montclair’s talented and fleet-footed Siri Krabbe at third and Ella Reynolds on second, both poised to race home on any ball put in play, Gillen proceeded to strike out the next two batters, then walked Lexi Scott before inducing Marley Kim to hit a ground ball back to her in the circle as she threw to first for the final out of the top of the sixth and the Knights could breathe a sign of relief.
A young West Essex team (7-3 overall, 2-3 in the Super Essex Conference-American Division) then recorded a game-ending double play with the Mounties having two runners on base to secured an 8-3 victory over the Mounties (3-6, 1-4) on a warm and sunny late Friday afternoon (April 17) after brief rain showers had delayed the start of the game for nearly 20 minutes.
Gillen allowed just four hits, walked seven and struck out 11 as she endured a long and difficult game against a strong-hitting Montclair team that hurt itself by committing five errors which translated into allowing six unearned runs.
“Brooke pitched great and she really bore down there to get very important outs there in the sixth inning after our hitters came through big-time in the fifth for us,” said veteran West Essex coach Andrea Mondadori-Llauget. “We have a young group of kids who come ready to work hard each and every day.”
West Essex broke open what had been a 2-2 stalemate while batting around and sending 11 hitters to the plate while delivering five hits and scoring six runs.
The rally began with an infield error by the Mounties, a beautiful sacrifice bunt by No. 3 hitter Olivia Blanco, a single by clean-up hitter Alex Bivona and then a clutch RBI double by pinch-hitter Sam Bivona plating courtesy runner Gab Sia with the go-ahead run.
Then another terrific bunt was put down by Carmela Alagia as she also reached first as Bivona came home to make it 4-2.
Caitlin Breslin then delivered an RBI triple, Amanda Rizzo hit an RBI single and after Aanya Malige also singled. Then leadoff batter and third baseman Brooke Rampone - one of four freshmen in the lineup along with center fielder Breslin, first baseman Lia Buttler and right fielder Malige – then hammered a 2-run double, her second and third runs batted in on the day, and the damage had been done.
“We know that we have a strong lineup that can do some great things if we continue to put in the work,” said Rampone, who hit the ball hard in all four of her at bats, including delivering a sacrifice fly in a 2-run second inning. “I think we can be a really good team and will keep getting better as this season continues.”
