| |
 |
Heading into the New Jersey Group II semifinal softball contest, the Pequannock Panthers knew they could beat Caldwell. After all, the two teams met in a league sports contest in April and Pequannock came away with an 11-4 win. But coach Maryann Goodwin was nervous that her team might be overconfident and fail to execute. As it turned out, Goodwin didn't have much reason to worry as the Panthers moved on to the state finals with a 5-1 win.
|
Pitcher Megan Brain wasn't as dominant as she had been in Pequannock's 1-0 sectional final win over Indian Hills. But she didn't need to be, and she got some help behind her with some fine glove work in the field.
It wasn't a hitting explosion on the order of the already legendary 20 runs the Panthers scored in the Morris County softball final. But Pequannock did what it needed, scratching out a few runs by putting the ball in play. Jamie O'Rourke, Sam Rizzuto and Megan Brain had RBI singles.
The Panthers celebrated after the final out on the field at Whippany Park High School. But they're hoping they have one more celebration left--after the state Group II final Saturday in Toms River. The Panthers will take on Central champion Cranford, which won its semifinal game 1-0 against Overbrook.
With the Pequannock baseball team also qualifying for the Group II finals, the two sports games have been scheduled back-to-back at Toms River North High School on Saturday. The softball game is slated to start at 11:00 a.m., followed by the baseball team's matchup with Shore Regional at 2:00.
It's already been a softball season to remember for Pequannock, with county, league and sectional titles secured. But the Panthers hope to seize this opportunity to make history and add a New Jersey state title to complete this dream season. -- Paul Mencher for Jersey Sports Now
|
