VIDEO: Sprofera, IHA blank Mount St. Dominic in sectional final | ||
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The way Immaculate Heart Academy softball pitcher Olivia Sprofera was working, her teammates knew they didn't need much offense to win the sectional final. The Blue Eagles came up with a couple of big hits and earned the North Non-Public A crown, defeating Mount St. Dominic, 2-0. Sprofera ended up with a four-hit shutout, striking out 14 batters and walking just one. The junior lefty only once faced multiple baserunners in an inning, working out of a sixth-inning jam to protect IHA's lead.
Emilie Cieslak and Reagan Jones had the big hits for the Blue Eagles. Cieslak drilled a double off the center-field fence in the third inning to plate Taylor Kenerson with the game's first run. IHA added another run in the fourth. Jones singled to right field to bring home Taylor Gallagher, who had reached on an infield hit and moved up to third base. That was more than enough for Sprofera, who is now 21-1 in the circle this season. Mount St. Dominic pitcher Kelsey Oh allowed five hits while striking out five batters. Oh also had the Lady Lions' only extra-base hit of the game, a double in the sixth inning. After being ranked #1 in the state to start the season, Mount St. Dominic finishes with a 26-4 record. IHA is currently New Jersey's top-ranked team with a 30-1 mark. The Blue Eagles will go for a second straight Non-Public A state title when they meet Donovan Catholic in the final, Saturday afternoon at Kean University. For sports video highlights of this New Jersey high school girls' softball state tournament sectional final, click play in the box at left. |