Softball

 

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Frid Fr iday ay,, Ap Apri rill 12, 20 201 13

TH E DAI LY JO UR NAL

STARTING ST ARTING NINE

Question 1) What have you enjoyed most about your senior year so far?

The senior left fielder has been a mainstay in the Lions’ lineup for four years. This clutch hitter is closing in on 100 career hits and could hit triple digits for RBIs too. She took some time recently to speak to Extra Innings about her senior year, some of her favorite things and Sacred Heart softball.

A: Absolutely, spring training with my team, went to Alabama last week, had the time of my life, the concussion of my life. It was really a great time, really great experience hanging out with the girls, I wouldn’t of traded it for anything in the world.

LINDSAY DWYER Sacred Heart Senior Left field

2) You went out for cheerleading this year, was it fun? A: Yes I did. Oh my gosh, I never knew how hard it could possibly be. It was so hard. The girls were great, the coach is great. I just had the best time. 3) Would you consider cheerleading a sport? A: Absolutely. You never know how hard it is until you get it. There’s a thing called a front walkover and I swear I hit my butt on the floor 10 10 times. It was the hardest thing I can image doing. 4) What is your favorite restaurant and what’s

the best item to get there? A: Martino’s in Vineland by Vineland High School. I love it and I always get the penne vodka, it’s so good. 5) What is your favorite movie? A: It would have to be the Justin Beiber movie that came out, that Never Say Never movie. That’s classic, it’s my favorite. 6) If they played music when you came to bat, what would the song be? A: We were thinking about that this year, we were going to do walkout songs. We were all comparing everything and they were like ‘You can not have a Justin Beiber song.’...So, I decided to go with “I’m Ready” by Bobby Brackins. 7) If America’s got talent did a Sa cred Heart softball edition, which player would win?

stretching and we put our warmup CD on, she always does this little funky dance thing that everyone just stops and looks for....It’s the funniest thing you’ve ever seen. 8) What would you like to major in at college and why? A: Next year I’m going to major in forensic psychology and I want to be a forensic psychologist for the CIA. 9) What advice would you give to younger players who are coming up in the Sacred Heart softball program? A: To have fun. The main goal in sports is to have fun. Don‘t get too caught up in getting a spot in the lineup, getting a spot on the field. Never get too overwhelmed with that because if you’re having fun and you play to the best of your advantages, it will come.

A: Danielle Lugo. No one knows this. When we’re

S.J. MEAN 15 1. Washington Twp ....5-0 2. Gloucester Cath...... Cath...... 4-1 3. Shawnee ...... ............ ............ ...... 3-2 4. Haddon Heights Heights ... ..... .. 4-1 5. Eas tern......... tern............... .............5.......5-2 2 6. Sacred Heart ... ...... ....... ...... 4-0 7. Vineland ...... ............ .............3.......3-0 0 8. GCIT ...... ............. ............. ............ ........ .. 3-1 9. Buena.......... Buena................ ............. ......... 4-0 10. Hammonton ...... .......... .... 4-2 11.. Cumberland ...... 11 ........... ..... 2-1 12. Delsea........... Delsea................. ........... ..... 3-1 13. Kingsway ...... ............ .......... .... 7-1 14. Gloucester ...... ............ ........ .. 4-1 15. Paul VI ....... ............. ............ ........ .. 4-1

LOCAL POLL Super Six

Becca, Lynnsie and Allie Collins, from left to right, are sisters who play on the Buena softball team.

STAFF PHOTO/CRAIG MATTHEWS

THREE OF DIAMONDS Collins sisters bond together at Buena By Tom McGurk [email protected]

T

he way the Collins sisters describe themselves, the similarities among the three siblings stop with their last name. Buena coach Pam Pickett doesn’t disagree. She says that each of the Collins trio — Allie, Becca and Lynnsie — has her own distinct personality. However, she does point to an important characteristic that each does share. “They are all hard workers,” Pickett said. “It’s the first word you think of when you get to know them. the m. They work for everything they earn. “They are always quick to help out no matter matt er what the job is. There are some days when I have to ask ‘Can someone besides the Collins sisters help out please?’ — that’s just the way they are.” Pickett, who is in her 26th season, has coached plenty of sister tandems during her tenure, and in recent years has watched daughters of mothers she coached earlier in her career come up through the program. But a sister tripleheader on the same team is a first. “It’s definitely a unique situation, I just have to remember which (uniform) number goes with each one,” Pickett said. “They are all a big part of this program.”

The three sisters have played on the same squad before, suiting up for the ASA 16-and-under Lady’s A’s, but the novelty hasn’t worn off. “It’s fun to be a part of the same team,” tea m,” Allie said. Becca and Allie are fraternal twins, seniors that share the same bedroom at home. One would think that would lead to some big-time arguments, but they say they manage keep the sibling squabbling to a minimum. “We are definitely opposites, but we’ve learned to deal with each other,” said Becca, who is described as the always positive and reliable neat freak by her two sisters. Allie often is the entertainer of the group. While she has the knack for getting a laugh, she also has a great understanding of the game. Both older sisters said sophomore Lynnsie is the “brains out of the three.” A member of the school’s National Honor Society, the catcher picks up English and Geometry easier than an 0-2 curveball in the dirt. “Lynnsie’s very independent, she likes to do things her own way,” Allie said. The three players are different in the field too, playing outfielder, pitcher and catcher. Becca roams the outfield and has be-

come a key part to the Chiefs’ lineup after scorching the ball in the preseason. “We made a few tweaks with her swing and she’s really been hitting so far this year,” Pickett said. Allie is just getting herself back into action after she suffered a straight right (throwing) forearm during the preseason. The finesse pitcher, who relies on spin more than speed, picked up her first win of the season against Lower Cape May on Tuesday. Lynnsie is working her way to more time on varsity. She is the backup catcher for the Chiefs and is eying a starting spot next season. This spring will also be special for the sisters because it’s likely the final time the three will play together. Becca and Allie both want to play softball in college next year. Becca is planning on attending Camden County College to study paramedic science. She’s already a Junior Firefighter and recently obtained her NJEMT certificate. Allie has narrowed her college choices down to Montclair and Cabrini and would like to major in criminology. cri minology. Tom McGurk covers scholastic softball for The Daily Journal. He can be reached at (856) 563-5260 or [email protected]

COLTS’ COL TS’ MARTIN MARTIN BACK BEHIND DISH Fighting off a tough 0-2 pitch or picking a ball out of the dirt and throwing down to second base in one motion are nothing compared to the really tough challenge that Cumberland catcher Jackie Martin faced last season. Martin came to the field every day, but couldn’t play. Now, she’s ready to make up for lost time. ti me. Martin was enjoying a stellar freshman season, hitting at a .419 clip with 16 RBIs in April when she was hit on the left arm against Wildwood, fracturing her ulna bone and ending her season. “It was frustrating, very disappointing,” Martin said. “But I came to every game, cheered on my teammates and tried to keep their heads up, and mine too,” Martin is back and looking to contribute in every way she can — with her bat, her arm and even her legs. “She’s a complete player,” Cumberland coach Alan Cumberland’s Jackie Martin Homan said. “I’ve even told her that she’s got to learn to is back after an injury. STAFF put the (catcher’s) gear on quicker, because I’m not us- PHOTO/CHARLES J. OLSON

ing a runner for her either.”

News and Notes ■ Vineland’s Demi Murray signed a Letter of Intent to attend and play softball at Kutztown University. Buena’s Janessa Rios recently signed to West Chester. ■ Delsea sophomore pitcher Julia Voluntad has made a verbal commitment to play softball at Division I Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. ■ Millville’s Amanda Buckson has made a quick impression during her first season. The senior collected seven hits in her first 12 at-bats and leads the TBolts with a .583 batting average. ■ There was a power surge in the area last week as 13 homers were clubbed, including two apiece by Millville’s Case Casey y Dere Derella lla and Voluntad.

1. Sacred Heart (4-0). The Lions earned a pair of one-run wins over Ocean City and Woodstown; Woodstown; huge showdown at Buena on Tuesday. 2. Vineland (3-0). Pitching and defense have shined in strong start; will face Buena in the Red Devil Elite Tournament Saturday at 1:30 p.m. 3. Buena (4-0). The Chiefs’ could have South Jersey’s deepting pitching rotation; rotation; the three pitchers have done an excellent job so far. 4. Cumberland (2-1). The Colts took Gloucester Catholic to eight innings before dropping a 4-3 decision ; big week ahead with Williamstown and Woodstown on the schedule. 5. Delsea (3-1). Impressive wins over Williamstown and Clearview were evened out with a tough loss against Gloucester County Tech. 6. Millville (2-3). Rough start for the Thunderbolts, Thunderbolts, who will look to turn things around against rival Vineland on Tuesday. * Records through Wednesday. Wednesday.

AREA LEADERS Batting Average Kiara Martin,Bridgeton ............750 Danielle Lugo,Sacred Lugo,Sacred Heart ......667 Katie McCormick McCormick,, Cumberla Cumberland..600 nd..600 Amanda Buckson,Millville........583 Jodi Cook,Cumberland.............545 Kodi Pollock, Pollock, Cumberla Cumberland nd .........545 Hits Derella, Casey a, Millville..................8 le..................8 Danielle Lugo,Sacred Lugo,Sacred Heart....... ...8 Ashley Surran,Buena................. ...8 Amanda Buckson,Millville............7 Jenna Cali,Delsea................ .........6 Gabby Castellini,Sacred ini,Sacred Heart ......6 Jodi Cook, Cook, Cumberla Cumberland.................6 nd.................6 Rosie LaGrotta,Sacred LaGrotta,Sacred Heart..... ...6 Carly Linus,Buena ........................6 Kady Mae Makos, Makos, Millville......... e......... ...6 Katie McCormick, Cumberla Cumberland......6 nd......6 Brttany Rivera, Rivera, Millville.................6 e.................6 Rachel Rivera, Rivera, Millville..................6 le..................6 Runs Sam Fiocchi Fiocchi, Buena.......................6 Jenna Cali,Delsea................ .........5 Samantha Caterina,Sacred Heart .5 Casey Derella, Derella, Millville..................5 le..................5 Carly Linus,Buena ........................5 Danielle Lugo,Sacred Lugo,Sacred Heart....... ...5 Katie McCormick, Cumberla Cumberland......5 nd......5 Rachel Rivera, Rivera, Millville..................5 le..................5 Ashley Surran,Buena................. ...5 HRs Casey Derella, a, Millville..................2 le..................2 Julia Voluntad,Delsea................ Voluntad,Delsea................ ...2 RBIs Danielle Lugo,Sacred Heart.........10 Lindsey Gaines, Gaines, Cumberland.........9 and.........9 Ashley Surran,Buena................. ...9 Samantha Caterina,Sacred Heart .6 Kodi Pollock,Cumberland.......... lock,Cumberland.......... ...5 Brittany Rivera, vera, Millville................5 le................5 Kady Mae Makos, Makos, Millville......... e......... ...4 Abby Pettit, t, Cumberla Cumberland...............4 nd...............4 Rachel Rivera, Rivera, Millville..................4 le..................4 Julia Voluntad,Delsea................ Voluntad,Delsea................ ...4 SBs Kayla Rodriguez,Vineland......... Rodriguez,Vineland......... ...4 Amanda Buckson,Millville............2 Cassidy Gorgo,Millville.................2 Danielle Lugo,Sacred Lugo,Sacred Heart....... ...2 Kodi Pollock,Cumberland.......... lock,Cumberland.......... ...2 Pitching Wins Rosie LaGrotta,Sacred LaGrotta,Sacred Heart..... ...4 Sam Monfredo Monfredo,, Buena............... ...3 DemiVoluntad,Delsea................ Murray, Murray, Vineland.............. Vinela nd.............. ...3 ...3 Julia Volu ntad,Delsea................ ERA Demi Murray, Murray, Vinela Vineland....... nd....... .....0.70 Julia Voluntad, Voluntad, Delsea..............0.84 Rosie LaGrotta,Sacred Heart....1.08 Alexa Calareso,Millville....... ....1.6 ....1.622 Ks Julia Voluntad,Delsea untad,Delsea .................31 Demi Murray, Vinela Vineland................19 nd................19 Rosie LaGrotta,Sacred Heart.......17 *Statistics provided by coaches and  compiled through Wednesdays. For   a larger list,please log log onto onto our blog  at thedailyjournal.co lyjournal.com/playm m/playmakers akers