NJIC Notebook for April 12 
NOTE: Each Tuesday we will highlight the stat leaders from around the NJIC. Every other Tuesday we will also release a conference notebook that focuses on the latest news, notes and trends from around the league. The next NJIC notebook will be posted on April 26.
Emerson Boro busting the scoreboard
Emerson Boro entered the season with hopes of contending for a state championship and their 3-0 start is a sign of what it’s capable of. In three wins against Lyndhurst, Holy Angels and Palisades Park, the team has scored a total of 45 runs, while allowing just two. Natalie Graham had two big first games with a total of six hits, eight RBIs and three runs. She also struck out 11 and allowed just one run in the opening win against Lyndhurst in the circle.
Rutherford off to first 4-0 start in over 11 years
The Bulldogs have rolled through Park Ridge, Hawthorne, Lodi and Elmwood Park by a combined score of 45-6 and are 4-0 for the first time since at least 2011. Juliana Cimillo, Leah Barna and Giana Yaniero have been sparking the offense with a combined 22 hits, 19 RBI and 20 runs. Yaniero, a freshman, has also been impactful in the circle with 46 strikeouts and just six earned runs against in 25 innings.
Weehawken’s defense tough to crack
Weehawken is another team that’s 4-0 to start a season for the first time since at least 2011. After a 2-1 win over Lodi Immaculate, the team topped Saddle Brook, North Bergen and Wood-Ridge by a score of 22-0. Brooke McHale and Savanna McHale are stealing the show in the circle combining for 23 strikeouts in 19 innings. Envey Duran has been strong at the plate so far, going 6-for-11 with seven RBI and three triples.
Wallington in a rebound season
This team finished 8-17 a season ago but let everyone know things would be different in 2022. The group won its first five games, allowing just three runs in the process and currently sit at 5-1. Hailey Backo has been one of the best players in the conference so far with 11 hits in 18 at-bats with 17 RBI and six runs. Brooke Goldyn has 10 RBI and seven hits of her own.
Brescia, Babino filing the scoresheet for New Milford
New Milford finds itself with a 4-1 record through five games. The duo of Kaylee Babino and Daniela Brescia have been outstanding. They’re a combined 13-for-24 at the plate with 25 RBI, three homers and 13 runs. Katelyn Mulligan has also added plenty of offense with seven hits, seven RBI and nine runs. Overall, the offense is averaging 13.6 runs per game so far.
Ridgefield on a winning streak
A 14-2 loss to Wood-Ridge was a less-than-ideal start to the 2022 season but Ridgefield has rebounded with three consecutive wins over Butler, Wallington and Lyndhurst. The offense has been quite balanced with five players notching at least four hits so far. Nikolina Prtoric’s four RBI lead the team as do Nicoletta Amato’s six hits.
Runs a plenty early on for Leonia
Leonia had its highs and lows in 2021 but the start to this season has been anything but a rollercoaster. The team is 3-0 after wins over Hasbrouck Heights, Harrison and New Milford and have scored 53 total runs. While Kylie Lederman leads the team with 10 RBI and an .800 average, the offense is strong throughout. Seven players have at least five hits. Andrea Kuruc is one of them and has already scored 10 runs.
Henke supplying the power for Becton
Becton is on a three-game winning streak in which it’s outscoring opponents 37-2. It’s a strong response after a season-opening loss to Wood-Ridge. Nicole Henke is tormenting opposing pitchers with a conference-high four home runs so far, including at least one big fly in three consecutive games. She is 7-for-11 during this winning streak with 11 RBI and six runs. Sophomore Demi Dembinksi is blossoming in the circle with 45 strikeouts and just one earned run against on eight hits in 23 innings.
