Sami Huetter came through for the West Essex softball team both in the circle and at the plate in a Top 10 showdown against Ridgewood. Huetter battled for seven innings to get the win, and delivered the key blow with a two-run homer in the Knights' 3-2 triumph.

The junior hurler constantly pitched out of trouble, as she allowed seven hits, two walks and two hit by pitches. Huetter escaped jams in both the sixth and seventh innings to preserve her team's one-run lead. She struck out six batters on the day.

West Essex got all of its runs in the fourth inning. A Kate Jencarelli single put two Knights aboard, and Madison Gemma drove home Bridget Betley with an infield groundout. That brought up Huetter, who got hold of a high fastball and smashed it over the left-field fence.

Ridgewood pitcher Lisa Higgins allowed little else throughout the game, permitting just four hits while striking out eight.

Brooke Wittlinger had an RBI single for Ridgewood that briefly put the visitors ahead in the top of the fourth. The Maroons also got a run in the fifth as Mia Kim doubled and scored on a grounder by Emilie Morse that was ruled an error.

It's the second loss in three games for Ridgewood, which had been undefeated and ranked #1 in the state prior to these defeats. The Maroons are 21-2 overall.

West Essex improves to 20-2. The Knights now set their sights on the Essex County Tournament title, with the semifinals and finals scheduled this upcoming weekend.

For sports video highlights of this New Jersey high school girls' softball game, click play in the box at left.