Sophomore Ashtin Helmer steps up to bat during Roxbury's first game of the Morris County Tournament. Roxbury beat their opponent, Madison High School. (Photo: Sami Moore)

Roxbury played Madison in their first game in the Morris County Tournament, and came out with a win. Sophomore pitcher Ashtin Helmer had a total of twelve strikes and one walk during the game where Roxbury defeated Madison with a score of 2 - 0.

The first inning of the game was definitely in Roxbury’s favor; Helmer pitched three stikeouts, which hyped up Roxbury for the game. When it was their turn at bat, every player hit the ball. Senior Lindsey Williams hit first with a single, followed by Senior Joelle Cancelliere who was out at first. Next, freshman Holly Arentowicz hit a single and continued to steal second after Helmer hit a single, which brought Williams home. Courtesy runner, Jill Fiebel, was subbed in for Helmer, who then stole second when sophomore Dana Brady stepped up to plate, which ultimately ended the inning via a double play. Brady  ...Read More

Junior Kristyn Ewton races to beat the ball back to first plate during the third inning during the Roxbury softball game against Randolph. (Photo: Sami Moore)

Roxbury won their softball game against Randolph, about which coach Diane Naugle said, “It’s a win that the girls earned. They did not steal it, they earned it.”
The final score of the game was Roxbury with two runs, and Randolph with one.

Senior Joelle Cancelliere, Roxbury’s first batter, scored both of the runs for Roxbury within the first inning and the third innings. Cancelliere also pitched the first three innings, after Roxbury changed up their usual infield. Roxbury’s outfield stayed the same, with junior Amanda Figurelli playing right field, senior Linda Stieli playing center, and senior Bridget Burns playing left. Dana Brady, who typically plays third base, moved to second base (Cancellliere’s usual position). Designated player Kristyn Ewton took over third base. Based on these first three innings, Naugle said, “Joelle [Cancellie  ...Read More

This week our staff unanimously selected the Green Wave’s Matt DeRenzi, senior baseball player and standout, as our Player of the Week, after he delivered the game-winning run with a single, giving Delbarton the 4-3 win over Don Bosco Prep on Saturday, April 17th, 2010.
I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to catch up with Matt, and ask him a few questions about that game, his team and himself personally.
KENNEY- How important was it for the Green Wave to win that game against Don Bosco Prep on Saturday, particularly after the loss to Pope John the day before?

DERENZI- With the Morris County seeding meeting Tuesday night we knew we had to come away with a win. Don Bosco is a pretty good team and we were glad we could escape with a close victory.

KENNEY- It was a very well-timed and exciting victory for sure. How did you pr  ...Read More

As expected, Morris Knolls (12-1) takes the #1 seed in the Morris County Tournament followed by #2 Pequannock (7-3), #3 Chatham (7-4), and #4 Jefferson (6-2). This week teams will complete all the preliminary games leading up to the quarterfinal round to be played at the higher seeds home field. All semi-final round games will then be played at Brundage Park in Randolph May 6th, finishing up with the championship game May 13th, at 6pm.

#17 Butler (5-4) at #16 Randolph (5-4) winner #1 Morris Knolls (12-1)
#18 Mt Lakes (4-5) at #15 West Morris (6-5) winner #2 Pequannock (7-3)
#19 Hanover Pk (4-8) at #14 Montville (5-5) winner at #3 Chatham (7-4)
#20 Dover (5-6) at #13 Morristown (6-5) winner at #4 Jefferson (6-2)
#21 Mendham (2-7) at #12 Morris Catholic (6-4) winner at #5 Parsippany Hills (8-3)
#22 Madison (3-6) at #11  ...Read More

After some deliberation, NJAC Sports Center decided that the first “Player of the Week” for the Spring 2010 should be awarded to Roxbury’s Senior Linda Stierli, of The Lady Gaels softball team.
In the third inning of their game against Morris Hills on April 5th, Stierli hit the first homerun of the season for her team, putting The Lady Gaels ahead and creating the momentum that ultimately led the team to their first win of the season. Moments like this are what can truly turn a game around, creating a snowball effect of emotion, and evoking the team morale necessary for all-around success.

I caught up with Linda, who literally just switched from batting right-handed to left-handed, to get her feedback about that moment and her team’s big win. When I asked her how it felt to hit the first homerun of the season for The Lady Gaels, she humbl  ...Read More

NJAC Softball Division Leaders

With softball season in full swing, and several teams jockeying for top seeds in the upcoming MCT, let’s take a look around the NJAC at some of the standout teams by division.

Freedom Division:
It appeared as if nobody would beat Lenape Valley (7-1) this season, that is until Jefferson (3-1) came to Stanhope yesterday and escaped with a 5-3 victory. Pitching was the difference, as Falcons pitcher Sam Abromavage allowed only 8 hits, one walk, and struck out 11 batters in a complete game effort. We will see what this Jefferson team is made of when they play Chatham (6-1) at home on 4/16. Lenape Valley has a favorable schedule and should go deep into the MCT behind the great play of Deanna Utter and Caitlen Zaleski. Newton (5-2) should challenge LV heading into their head to head match-up on 4/26 at Newton. N  ...Read More

Shortstop Lindsey Williams attempt to tag the opponent from High Point High School out at second base. (Photo: Sami Moore)

After a forty five minute drive to High Point High School, Roxbury’s Lady Gaels softball team was unsuccessful in beating them. For this game, the Lady Gaels switched up their batting order. Pitcher Ashtin Helmer pitched 10 strikeouts and 2 walks during the game. Coach Diane Naugle felt that in this game, “There were good points, and then there were bad points.”

Normally batting third, senior Lindsey Williams batted first, while the usual first batter, Joelle Cancelliere, batted second. Both hit singles. The third batter, Holly Arentowicz, who typically bats fourth, also hit a single, which brought Williams home. Helmer, who normally bats fifth, batted fourth and Dana Brady batted fifth (she usually bats second). Both Helmer and Brady struck out in this inning. Next up was Johanna Lutz, and her single brought Cancelliere home. Arentowicz attemp  ...Read More

SOFTBALL Matchups of the Week

With winter surely behind us for at least another week, **wink wink**, and hopefully no more floods, this week should provide an abundance of great girls softball action around the NJAC. Check www.njacsportscenter.com weekly for more complete softball action including interviews, player stats, game predictions and much more. Here’s a look at some intriguing upcoming matchups.

4/9 Pequannock at Madison: Off to a 0-3 start, Madison is looking to get in the win column for the first time this season. With returning starters Nikki Caruso and Emily Klein, the Dodgers should not be counted out. Head Coach Hector Martinez will need big production out of new players like Grace Marotta, Meghan Harris, and Stephanie Riveros. Pequannock, #6 in the Star Ledger top 20, look strong again despite losing 4 key players from  ...Read More

This is how we see the 2010 preseason rankings for all four NJAC divisions

April 1st means one thing baseball lovers, OPENING DAY!  So without further ado, here is your 2010 NJAC Sports Center baseball preview.

AMERICAN DIVISION

Montville
Sparta
West Morris
High Point
Mt. Olive
Par Hills
Delbarton
Morris Knolls
Vernon
Mendham
Pope John
Morristown
Randolph
Roxbury
Morris Hills

FREEDOM DIVISION

Hopatcong
Newton
Jefferson
Kittatinny
Lenape Valley
Wallkill Valley
Hackettstown

INDEPENDENCE DIVISION

Hanover Park
Morris Catholic
Dover
Parsippany
Madison
Chatham
Pequannock

LIBERTY DIVISION

Butler
Mt. Lakes
Whippany Park
Mo-Beard
Boonton
Kinnelon

Boonton
Coach: Chris Becker
Years Coaching: 3rd
Key  ...Read More

Senior Lindsey Williams attempts to tag out a member of the Pope John varsity softball team. Williams was the key player in this game. (Photo: Sami Moore)

Roxbury beat Pope John XXIII in a game that Coach Diane Naugle said that “Roxbury came through on a clutch.” The final score of this game was Roxbury 5, Pope John 4.
The first run of the game wasn’t scored until the fourth inning. The first three innings, however, consisted of a lot of strikeouts, a few singles, and runners being out at first. By the fourth inning, Roxbury Lady Gael’s sophomore pitcher, Ashtin Helmer, had already pitched a total of five strikeouts, with the third inning being a no hitter. In the fourth inning, senior Johanna Lutz’s hit was able to bring freshman Holly Arentowicz home, scoring a run for Roxbury.
In the fifth inning, Helmer pitched one walk, and one strikeout. For Roxbury, senior Lindsey Williams hit a homerun, the third one of the season for the Lady Gaels. Williams’ homerun also brought senior Linda Stierli home  ...Read More