RUTHERFORD – Helen Antzou-lides told her players to circle this game on their calendar.

The Rutherford softball coach knew Lodi was experienced. She expected the Rams to give her team a tough early-season test.

“I thought, coming into the season, they were going to be our biggest battle,” Antzoulides said.

So Wednesday’s result was a positive step forward for the Bulldogs.

They scored four runs in the second inning and junior pitcher Leigha Goldsack battled in the circle as Rutherford fought off a tough Lodi team, 5-2, in the NJIC Colonial.

The Bulldogs, ranked No. 23 in The Record Top 25, gave Goldsack some early run support.

After junior center fielder Katie Chinery bunted for a base hit, senior third baseman Shannon Clare singled. Senior second baseman Giulia Cammarano drove Chinery in with a single to left-center field.

Then Brielle Prince came through with a big hit for the Bulldogs. She turned on a pitch from Lodi (3-1) starter Bryanna Bigica, hitting it to the gap in right-center field.

Since the field didn’t have a fence, the ball rolled far enough away for Prince to motor around the bases for a three-run homer to put Rutherford up, 4-0.

“Any time you put the bat on the ball, anything can happen,” Antzoulides said. “First warm day, we were able to swing the bat a little bit better.”

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/high-school-sports/girls-softball/rutherford-grinds-out-a-critical-victory-1.1544888