Jersey Shore softball off to hot start
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Jersey Shore missed the playoffs a year ago for the first time in decades.
The Bulldogs appear determined to make sure that was just a blip on the radar. Featuring an exciting blend of returning starters and talented freshmen, Jersey Shore has opened the 2022 season 4-0. The season is only a fifth of the way complete, but Jersey Shore looks like it is flying the friendly skies again and resuming its position as a District 4 Class AAAA title contender.
That became especially apparent over a two-day stretch last week as Jersey Shore defeated defending District 4 Class AAAA and A champions Danville and Montgomery on consecutive days. Freshman Isabelle Engel allowed just five hits in those wins against teams which lost a combined four games last season, the defense made just one error and the offense did just enough to help Jersey Shore make an impressive statement.
"At the beginning of the season we were a little iffy about how it's going to go," Engel said after the 2-0 Montgomery win. "But I think we're doing well."
They certainly are. And if Jersey Shore can keep building off this strong start, all things seem possible.
Jersey Shore closed its week with an 11-7 victory at Midd-West. The Bulldogs surrendered just two runs in those first three wins, but did not flinch when Midd-West stormed back and cut a seven-run deficit to one. Instead, the loaded up the offense some more, produced 16 hits and kept moving forward.
It was another encouraging step forward for a young team. This group has a lot of moving parts but it feels like the pieces are quickly falling into place.
"It's a great group of kids. We're all about the team and staying positive," first-year Jersey Shore coach Chris Lorson said. "We all make mistakes, myself included. You just fight through it and work through it and work on the things we have to improve on."
Jersey Shore showed plenty of fight against in all three wins last week. The Bulldogs overcame a one-run sixth-inning deficit against Danville before stranding the game-tying runs against Montgomery. Then the Bulldogs thundered back after Midd-West landed a haymaker with a six-run third inning.
It absorbed some blows in each game, but Jersey Shore kept moving forward. For a team with so many underclassmen among it, that is as encouraging as the unblemished record. It's different players carrying the weight as well with Engel throwing a one-hitter against Montgomery and Katelyn Stover a no-hitter in a season-opening win against Mifflinburg.
The offense has been balanced as well and five different players have produced multiple-hit performances. Emma Pfirman was 2 for 2 against Danville and cousins Rachel and Grace Lorson each produced three hits against Midd-West with Rachel driving in four runs.
It would be wrong to say Jersey Shore is back because it never really left. The Bulldogs still did some good things last year, but lost a series of close games and also were the victim of some bad luck, especially having to play more than half its campaign during the final two weeks.
More than anything, last year was a setback. Now Jersey Shore is focused on orchestrating quite a comeback.
"We're playing smart ball. We're working the fundamentals and we're playing as a team," Chris Lorson said. "It's all positives and everybody is there for each other."
YOUNG GUNS: North Penn-Liberty looks like a team on the rise and opened its season with impressive victories against perennial NTL and District 4 title contenders Wyalusing and Wellsboro. The Mounties outscored those teams, 25-2 before losing to Towanda, 7-3 last Friday.
Still, a 2-1 start against three traditionally strong programs is eye-opening. That is especially since North Penn-Liberty starts six sophomores and a freshman. Makenzi Tice and Addie Smith allowed just seven hits in two wins and the offense produced 25 hits in three games. Nikki Kiscadden homered in the opener and five players have produced two more hits in a game.
This is just the start as well. As this young team gains more experience, it likely will keep making strides. First-year coach Jason Chapel has coached this group since Little League and has a good connection with the players. Put it all together and North Penn-Liberty looks like a team to watch now and in the future.
EXTRA BASES: Bucktail and Muncy met Monday in a battle of Mid-Penn unbeatens. Bucktail ran roughshod over its first three opponents, outscoring them 53-0. Muncy was tested for the first time last Tuesday against Warrior Run and performed well, winning 5-2. Nolah Moyer threw a four-hitter and struck out 15. She, Casey Fry and Izzy Gush all had two hits … Montoursville and South also played yesterday with South playing its first game in more than a week after returning from Myrtle Beach. The Warriors gave 2021 Class AAA state semifinalist Central Columbia a battle in a 2-1 season-opening defeat before blanking Hughesville, 11-0. Jocelyn Jean hit doubles in both games and drove in four runs against Hughesville. Pitchers Jean, Mahlon Yonkin and Johanna Devore all threw well, combining to throw 11 straight scoreless innings … Sullivan County's Lorena Marquardt enjoyed a good week as Sullivan County split games against Benton and Millville. Marquardt earned the win against Benton and went 3 for 3. Chloe Burke had a big game against Benton, going 3 for 3 with a triple, three RBIs and four runs … Kaelyn Watson and Valandra McHenry combined on a four-hitter and Liona Dion hit a key RBI single as Warrior Run won its first game and defeated Southern Columbia, 2-1.
--Masse may be reached at cmasse@sungazette.com. Follow him on Twitter at @docmasse