News Summary

The high school softball season is underway with several teams kicking off with undefeated records. The Lancers, Donavan Catholic, and Mount St. Dominic lead the pack with stellar performances. Fans can look forward to an intense season filled with impressive plays and significant scoring from powerhouse teams. As the competition heats up, schools like RBC and Steinert also show their strength early on. It’s shaping up to be a memorable season in high school softball.

Undefeated Start for Top High School Softball Teams as Rankings Shift Mid-Season

Springfield is buzzing with excitement as the new high school softball season rolls out and all eyes are on the top-ranked teams kicking off their campaigns with undefeated records. The first week has set the stage for an electrifying season ahead, and it seems like the competition is as fierce as ever.

Leading the charge are the Lancers, who have jumped into the season with a stellar 2-0 record. They’ve only lost twice in the past two seasons, which is no small feat! This past week, they triumphed over Freehold Township and Colts Neck, showcasing why they are a force to be reckoned with in the league. One of their shining stars, Madison McDougall, the State Player of the Year, is turning heads with a jaw-dropping 0.50 ERA and an impressive 28 strikeouts in just 14 innings. Behind the plate, All-State catcher Elisabeth Figliolino has been nothing short of spectacular, hitting two of the five home runs the Lancers have amassed so far.

Not far behind are the Griffin’s of Donavan Catholic, who began their season with a bang! The team has clinched victories of 2-0 against Southern, followed by a colossal 18-2 blowout against Toms River South. They’ve brought in a unique strategy by rotating a committee of seven pitchers to keep their opponents guessing. Christina Ginex, a three-time all-state player, has already made an impact, scoring five runs in their first two showings.

Also making waves is Mount St. Dominic, who secured a 12-2 win against Nutley before pulling off a dramatic 7-6 walk-off victory against Livingston. Avery D’Ambola shined bright in this game, delivering a performance that included going 2-for-3 with three RBIs, a triple, and a run scored.

Meanwhile, the Dragons of Cedar Grove have also hit the ground running, dominating their opening matchups with a 16-4 win over Nutley followed by a 9-1 victory against West Essex. Star pitcher Cayce Kavakich is on a mission, striking out 15 batters and aiming for 1,000 career strikeouts—a milestone that’s just around the corner at this rate!

RBC, or Red Bank Catholic, is also a team to watch, sneaking past 15th-ranked Middletown North and then besting Freehold with a final score of 9-2. Grace Lombardi had a solid showing at bat, going 5-for-7 at the plate in their two games. Not to be outdone, Lily Hagan pitched impressively, recording 22 strikeouts over 14 innings.

The two-time defending Group III state champion Steinert has kicked off their season similarly strong, crushing Hightstown 9-2 with Francesca Castellano hitting not one, but two home runs! They didn’t stop there and pushed forward with a commanding 11-0 victory against Lawrence.

The Blue Eagles began their season with an impressive combination of offensive might, racking up runs to win 18-3 against Bergen Tech followed by an 8-6 win over Ramsey, fueled by the powerful bat of Gabby Shadek, who hit two home runs.

Not all teams started swinging with the same luck, as Vineland experienced a rocky start with an 11-1 loss to Kingsway but bounced back with victories against Egg Harbor and St. Joseph. The Crusaders, on the other hand, opened strong with a 14-3 win before narrowly losing 6-5 to No. 10 Hanover Park.

In total, the teams are starting the season with blazing intensity, with a handful already showcasing significant scoring power, such as the Redbirds, who scored an impressive total of 27 runs over their first three games.

As the season unfolds, fans are in for a treat with thrilling matchups and phenomenal plays, making this one of the most exciting seasons in high school softball history. Buckle up—it’s going to be a wildcard ride!

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