Spartan girls chasing down a pair of titles

PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Allentown’s Ally Walsh slaps the tag on Shore’s Claire Elam at third base during the Redbirds’ CJ Group II win in Allentown last week.

RBC wins state opener; Shore clinches

division title

BY VIN RAPOLLA

Staff Writer

The Ocean softball team looks to close out its near-perfect season this week with semifinal games in both the Shore Conference and Central Jersey Group III Tournaments.

The team entered the week with an overall record of 22-2 and a division record of 11-1.

On Monday, the Spartans faced off against Wall in the quarterfinal round of the Shore Conference tournament, and pulled out a narrow 1-0 victory. Then, on Tuesday, they had to face them again in the semifinals of the state tournament.

Head coach Mark Frankel recognized that it was a dangerous spot for his team.

"We just have to turn the page on today," he said following Monday’s win. "It really could’ve gone either way."

In that game, senior pitcher Arielle Weinkofsky was her usual brilliant self, holding the Knights to just three hits. But her defense behind her was equally strong, as the Spartans sparkled in the field to secure the shutout victory. Weinkofsky struck out just two batters on the day and walked five, making her teammates work in every inning.

The Spartan run came in the fifth inning, when junior right fielder Aileen Bosmans singled home junior Stefanie Howlett with two outs. With the win, the Spartans advanced to Friday’s SCT semifinals, where they will host Toms River East, a 2-0 winner over Brick Memorial, on Monday.

With an even mix of experience and youth, Frankel has tremendous confidence in his well-balanced team as it enters the home stretch of tournament play.

"We have a nice blend of young players and seniors," he said.

The team has been led by senior captains Weinkofsky and Tara Eagel. Weinkofsky has led the team from the mound with a 20-2 overall record on the season, while Eagel has set the tone defensively from the shortstop position.

"Arielle has had an outstanding season. At times, she just seems to be overpowering, keeping us in every game," said Frankel.

Offensively, the team has been led by junior catcher Skye Rubel and Arielle’s twin sister, Allyson Weinkofsky.

"Rubel has had an outstanding year at the plate and she’s driven in over 30 runs," said Frankel. "And Allyson has also had an excellent year at the plate."

A surprise for the team has been Howlett, who stepped up this season to play third base for the team and has also done well from the plate.

"She’s been a most pleasant surprise," said Frankel.

Outfielders Aileen Bosmans and Elise Fromkin have helped propel the team with solid defensive play throughout the season

"They both have done a nice job in the outfield," said Frankel.

The team has also received help from some underclassmen, including freshman Nora Bosmans and Alyssa Kuznitz, and sophomore Ashley DeMeter, all of whom have both played remarkably well for their first year at the varsity level, according to their coach.

"Nora, as a leadoff batter, really can jump-start the offense," said Frankel. "Alyssa has had a nice year at the plate and at a new position, and Ashley gets the big hits and makes big plays when we need it."

As his squad enters the home stretch of the postseason, Frankel feels his team has nothing to lose the rest of the way. That does not, however, mean that his players are satisfied.

"It’s one and done in the tournaments," he said. "But, the kids have done a great job this season regardless of what happens."

Diamond notes...The Red Bank Catholic Caseys opened their run at a Parochial A South championship with an impressive 2-0 win over a good Bishop Ahr team on Monday and were back in action yesterday in the semifinals.

Against Bishop Ahr, Natalie Cruz was simply overpowering on the mound, as she struck out 11 en route to a four-hit shutout. Cruz also knocked in Erica Benn with a double in the fourth with what proved to be the winning run. Benn was 2-for-2 on the day with two stolen bases.

The Caseys were back in action on Tuesday, when they faced Toms River North in the quarterfinals of the Shore Conference Tournament.

RBC was hoping to advance to the June 1 sectional final yesterday, where they would expect to meet top seed St. John Vianney, who also opened up their state tournament run with a win on Monday by topping Holy Cross, 5-0.

Senior Tricia Reingle, who was recently selected as the New Jersey High School Softball Player of the Year by Gatorade as well as Scholastic Coach and Athletic Director magazine, was brilliant once again, tossing a three-hit shutout while striking out 15 batters.

Reingle is now in contention for the National Player of the Year award, along with one representative from every other state and the District of Columbia.

Reingle has been nothing short of brilliant this season, pitching to a 25-0 mark while leading the Shore Conference in wins, strikeouts and ERA. She is also one of the Shore’s top offensive players to boot.

The Shore Regional Blue Devils also entered the week in the title hunt, and got the job done on Monday.

With their 9-2 win over St. Rose on Monday, the 18-4 Blue Devils officially wrapped up the Class B Central title. Amy Rosenblum, who was 2-for-3 on the day, blasted a grand slam in the second inning, her fourth round-tripper of the season, to spark Shore to the win. Missy Somers went 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI, while Nori Wilhelm also scored twice and knocked in a run for the Blue Devils.

Michelle Polzois tossed a four-hitter for Shore to finish the season at 16-3.

Shore’s run at a state sectional title ended on May 20 with a 6-0 loss to third-seeded Allentown in the Central Jersey Group II quarterfinals.

Shore was ahead early in this one, but was unable to shut down the potent Redbird attack, while Allentown’s Margaret Ryan pitched well, allowing seven hits with eight Ks and no walks. Allentown advanced to meet JFK-Iselin on Tuesday in the semifinals.