RIDGEFIELD PARK – From Nos. 1 through 9 in the lineup, it was a total team effort that paved the way for Glen Rock. And the Panthers have employed that complete offensive and defensive method to vault into a favorable position when the Bergen County softball tournament is seeded tonight.
Sparked by a 12-hit attack and also taking advantage of 10 walks, Glen Rock rolled to an 11-4 victory over Ridgefield Park in a non-league game Tuesday at Overpeck County Park. The Panthers, who got a strong pitching performance from Kate Kelly, have won 10 in a row to improve to 10-2.
“Definitely, everyone pulled their weight and that has been making a big, big difference for us,” said Glen Rock senior catcher Carly Benjamin, who went 2-for-3 with two walks, two RBI and two runs. “When you get complete contributions all the way down the line, it translates into extra success in terms of wins and losses.”
The Panthers, who have rebounded well since falling in their first two games in early April to Ridgewood and Pompton Lakes, came out and immediately took charge with a run in the first inning against the Scarlets (11-4). Junior Zoe Bender (2-for-4, stolen base, two runs) led off with a walk, was sacrificed to second base by senior Rebecca Nathanson and scored on Benjamin’s booming double into left-center.
Kelly (9-2), a senior right-hander with top-drawer control, went the distance, scattering nine hits while striking out six and walking one. She threw shutout ball for the first four innings and was aided by some quality infield and outfield glove work.
The Panthers, who were coming off a victory in a return engagement with Pompton Lakes on Monday, have inserted themselves into the NJIC Colonial Division race and could get a pretty good seed, possibly somewhere in the teens, at the tournament meeting at Saddle Brook tonight.
To finish reading: http://www.northjersey.com/sports/h-s-softball-no-shortage-of-players-propelling-glen-rock-1.1320997
