Daily Record from Morristown, New Jersey • Page 50

D10 Daily Record, Northwest N.J. Sunday, June 10, 1984 Mountain Lakes takes Group I Wildcats Group II champs called. "But when I saw it go over her head, I just took off." The hit may have surprised Bauer, but the significance of it did not. "I thought that could be it (the game)," she explained. "Because the whole team was putting it on, and Cathy was pitching an awesome game, and I thought we could take control from there." They did.

From the third inning, Brady limited Audubon to one hit, and struck out seven batters. "I was in more of a groove today than I've been in past games," Brady said. "But I knew I was in control at the end of the second inning, when we took our lead, because I was just hitting spots." Brady then revealed that she had a little help on the mound. "The umpire had a low strike zone today, and that really favored me. And they (Audubon) were looking at a lot of first strikes, so I was ahead of most of the hitters." Most of the Lakers' hitters managed to stay ahead of the Audubon pitchers.

After Bauer's triple, Debbie Wilkins slapped the next pitch into left field for an RBI single, and the Lakers finished their assault with two more runs in the fourth. Brady reached on an error and Jeanne Clark scored, and Meredith Wood lined a single to left to score Bauer, securing the first-ever state championship for the Lakers. Audubon OOO 000 00 3 0 Mountain Lakea 040 200 6 6 I JB franco A), 3B Bauer (ML) VY Brady. Melvtn. By STEVEN KINNEY Daily Record Staff Writer WEST WINDSOR Six games ago, Mountain Lakes softball coach Frank Bolton made a monumental pitching change when he sat his starting pitcher down and moved one of his outfielders onto the mound.

Yesterday, Cathy Brady, the Lakers' outfielder-turned-picher made Bolton look like a genius when she spun a three-hitter to lead Mountain Lakes to, a 6-0 win over Audubon in the state Group I Championship game at Mercer County Park. "We had a stretch of three games a few weeks ago when Dawn Schnitzer wasn't throwing the ball well," Bolton explained. "Cathy had been a student at my pitching schools for the last four years, and I knew she could throw. But she came on and pitched so well, that Dawn just couldn't get back into the rotation." Schnitzer did get a shot on the mound yesterday, and fanned the last batter of the game to preserve Brady's sixth straight win. But by the top of the seventh inning, matters had been decided.

The Lakers put Audubon away in the second inning, when after two walks and a hit batsmen, right-fielder Bridget Bauer powered a bases-clearing triple which put an end to Audubon's title quest. When the dust cleared and Bauer had collected three RBI, she was admittedly the most surprised person on the diamond. "When I hit that ball, I thought the center fielder had it," Bauer re ayley jt? Aw J-" fa Jf))T i 'JUL I romps to title By STEVEN KINNEY Daily Record Staff Writer Ellard served. "But the key to her success is she just hates to lose. She'd go out and throw another (game) right now if you asked her to." Cooper, who also fanned nine batters, explained how she threw the first game.

"Early in the game, I just threw it by them. But they started sitting on my pitches. That's how they got their hits in the fifth, so toward the seventh inning I started throwing to spots." Cooper's mound opponent Joanna Sulmonetti was also throwing to spots. The sophomore righthander, who pitched a perfect game earlier this season, uncorked four wild pitches which produced four Bishop runs. It was only fitting that Bayley-Ellard got its final two runs the way it did.

Left fielder Regina Peter led off the top of the seventh inning with a Daily RecordN.R. Rowan Meredith Wood (left), Jeanne Clark (center) and Cathy Brady of Mountain Lakes hold up their Group I state championship trophy after defeating Audubon yesterday, 6-0. WEST WINDSOR The last time the Bayley-Ellard softball team played in Mercer County Park was in 1982, when it lost a state championship game. Yesterday, however, the Bishops won the Parochial state championship with a convincing 9-0 thrashing of South Jersey champion St. Joseph of Hammonton.

The Bishops were in control from the outset behind junior sensation Moni Cooper, who ran her record to 12-3. Cooper flirted with a no-hitter until the fifth inning, when the Wildcats clawed out two of their three But Bishop head coach Gary Wid-doss said his star junior could have been tougher. "She's had better games," he ob By ED MILLS Daily Record Staff Writer WEST WINDSOR -They finished third in the Colonial Hills Conference behind Cedar Grove and Mountain Lakes, which tied for first place. They finished second to Parsippa- ny Hills in the Morris County Tournament when they let a 3-1 lead with two outs in the seventh inning slip away into a 4-3, 11-inning loss. So the Whippany Park Wildcats were determined not to finish second-best again at the state tournament and that is just what happened as Whippany knocked off Hammonton 5-1 yesterday for the Group II softball championship at Mercer County Park.

Whippany Park's big victory ended a great afternoon for Morris County softball teams. Bayley-Ellard (a 9-0 victor over St. Joseph's of Hammonton in Parochial B) and Mountain Lakes (a 6-0 winner over Audubon in Group I) also won state titles the first time three Morris County schools have won Group softball championships in one year. It was also a clean sweep for the Colonial Hills Conference Whippany Park, Bayley-Ellard and Mountain Lakes are all members obviously a great league for competitive softball. "This is the best possible way to end up our time here at Whippany," said shortstop Karen Sanchelli, who contributed a key home run to the Wildcat cause.

"We would have liked to have won the conference and the county, too, but this is a great win anyway. You can't complain about winning a state championship, we'll take it, that's for sure." Sanchelli was a member of the 1982 Whippany team that knocked off Maple Shade in the Group I final. She also played on last year's MCT soft-ball champion Wildcats and on the Whippany basketball team this year that lost in the Morris County semifinals to Hanover Park and that won the Section 2, Group II championship before falling in the Group II final to Asbury Park. So the win over Hammonton (24-2) was indeed sweet for Sanchelli and fellow seniors such as Patty Kelly, Liz Bungo, Allyson Arcesi and Peggy Barnum, who had been playing basketball and softball together for five years ever since eighth grade. Kelly (15-3) pitched a six-hitter for the Wildcats, striking out two and walking three.

She took home the 61st victory of her career against only nine losses the most wins for a pitcher ever in Morris County. "Patty doesn't throw the ball real hard but she gets it where she wants it," said Whippany coach Don Patterson. "She just mentally wills herself to be good." Whippany opened the scoring in the second inning on a single by Barnum, a stolen base and a two-out RBI double by Arcesi. Sanchelli's home run to deep left field made it 2-0 in the fourth inning before the Wildcats scored another run in that frame on an RBI single by Arcesi, who finished 3-for-3. Sanchelli's smash to left field in the fifth was dropped by Donna Macarella for a two-run error, which accounted for Whippany's final runs.

"We wanted to go out winners and we did," said Kelly, whose Wildcats lost to Essex County Softball Tournament champion Cedar Grove on the final day of the regular season to create the CHC tie between the Panthers and Mountain Lakes. "This is the best thing, it sure feels a lot better than losing." Whippany Pert. (24 7) 010 220 05 10 2 Hammontofl (24-2) 000 000 I I 6 6 2B Oaamt (H), Arcesi (WP). HR SancheW (WP). Kelly (15 3).

Sorrentino (181). Coury. "They are one of the better teams in the league, and I think people should realize that." What did you expect him to say? Coury still has an outside chance of getting to the playoffs himself, if the Breakers win the rest of their games and the Generals lose their remaining three. Anyway, the Generals expected more of their season than a simple playoff appearance. They've been talking about a championship since the team was put together in the offseason, when Donald Trump went on his shopping spree.

That's made the past four weeks even more difficult to swallow. "I don't think anyone expected us to go undefeated," Michaels said, "but we need an emotional burst from everybody now. The playoffs are the most important thing." He wants to get there with the proper emotional cadence. One thing's certain. The Generals could use a good celebration today, if only to relieve the tension.

ti's lack of control was not really her own fault. "We were hitting the ball well," Fata said. "And I think that really had an effect on her. And every time we got someone on third, I think it got to her." Bayley-Ellard 010 213 29 9 0 St. Joseph's 000 000 00 3 0 Cooper.

I Sulmonetti) the Bishops would need in the second inning on a wild pitch. Later, she singled and scored the second Bishop run in the fourth when first-baseman Mary Beth Liebhauser ripped a two-run single, and capped off her day by walking in the sixth and coming around to score on a third wild pitch. But Fata explained that Sulmonet ayley-Ellard baseball team falls short walk and scored on Gina Borea's triple. On the very next pitch, Sul-monetti's delivery soared over the catcher's head, and Borea scored the ninth Bayley run. Mary Ellen Fata, the third baseman, was the major benefactor of Sulmonetti's lack of control.

Fata singled, and later scored the only run The Bishops had scored a run in the top of the seventh on an RBI single by Steve Berger to narrow their deficit to two runs, and had runners on first and third with one out. After Kevin Durkin struck out and with Tom Steckert up at the plate, Berger successfully stole second base. However, on the same play, Steve Kennedy, the runner on third, attempted to come home, but he was nailed for the last out of the game on a nice throw from second baseman Dave Kincaid to catcher Bob Zimmerman. "I think I got stronger as the game went on, even with the heat," said Vespe, the starting and winning pitcher for Gloucester Catholic, a team that went a perfect 24-0 in 1980. "I was a little off my rhythm in the By ED MILLS Daily Record Staff Writer PRINCETON Bayley-Ellard can take solace in the fact that it never stopped scratching for victory yesterday.

But every time the Bishops were on the verge of coming back in their Parochial state championship game against Gloucester Catholic, there was Will Vespe to shut the door in their face. Vespe was the big difference yesterday as he pitched Gloucester We're running for you, and RBI singles by Gary Powers and Bobby Rivell. Rivell's hit took a wicked hop off of Bayley-Ellard third baseman Matt Piserchio's face, who was then removed from the game in favor of John Caccavale. Bayley again made a move in the sixth when Berger reached on an infield grounder to first base as Vespe was late covering the bag for an error. Then Durkin walked to put runners on first and second with nobody out.

After a pop up and a fielder's choice, Jim McElgunn walked to load the bases with two outs. But Steve Flanagan flew out to left to end the threat. Bayley-Ellard (16 8) 100 000 12 4 3 1 10 2 Oteatt. Cat. (19 41 040 000 JB Kaufman ((at).

Vespe (1 1-2). Kennedy (T-2). MONMOUTH Win would help Generals' morale Catholic past Bayley-Ellard 4-2 for the Parochial title at Princeton University. Coach Tony Soriano's Bishops, who had a seven-game winning streak snapped with the loss, finish the season at 16-8. Gloucester Catholic, which lost to St.

Mary's of Elizabeth 4-1 in the Parochial final last year, is 19-4. "We came up against a buzzsaw (Vespe) today, but we kept coming back and never stopped battling," said Soriano. "Even on the final out we were running right until the end." Stf ARK Oceanport, NJ 07757 Garden Stale Parkway Exit 105 coupon cannot be ottered tot first inning but then after that I was in a pretty good groove." Vespe, who raised his record to 11-2, twirled a route going three-hitter, striking out 11 and walking seven. Bayley opened the scoring in the first when Manny Ricciardelli walked and then Kennedy hit into a fielder's choice. Kennedy stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a ground out by Berger to give the Bishops a 1-0 lead.

Gloucster Catholic took the lead for good by scoring all four of its runs in the bottom of the second off Bayley starter and loser Kennedy (7-2). The big blows of the frame were an RBI triple by George Kaufman, to criticism of his offense. Michaels nearly lost his temper when pressed on the subject following the loss to the Bandits. The atmosphere in the locker room is suddenly uptight, as players try to analyze their slump. Yet, this past week, Michaels grudgingly admitted that changes were needed.

"I guess we have to get the ball to our wide receivers," he said as if he was just struck by a revelation. Don't expect to see bombs flying at Giants Stadium today (2:30 p.m., Ch.7). But clearly Michaels has to do something to shake up his sluggish offense. Brian Sipe has avoided controversy, yet he seems to be getting an itchy trigger finger. "I'd like to see us throw the balL" Sipe said.

"We need to show we're a more flexible football team. We've been addressing ourselves to that problem." At least they admit there is a problem. Sipe's arm may indeed be tired as he plays his second straight season, but Michaels gives him little chance to threw deep. Defenses have RACING NOW We're open every day but Sunday. Thoroughbred racing at its best.

FIRST RACE: 1:30 MONMOUTH PARK OFFERS (0N PERSON ONLY) FREE GRANDSTAND ADMISSION. MDR This coupon is good any day thru September 1, 1984 Fill in and present at Grandstand Coupon Gate Name Address Cy Slate Zip Coupon must be tilled out This coupon cannot be oflered tor sale or converted to cash been stacked along the line of scrimmage, anticipating the obvious running plays. In last week's loss, the Generals were embarrassed in front of a national television audience. "We've been playing poorly," said linebacker Jim leClair, "and we're anxious to show we're a better team than we have been." But New Jersey is a tired team. Michaels said it's all emotional, but many of the Generals are playing back-to-back seasons.

Today's game will be played in a sweat box, as the heat wave continues. Practices have dragged. It would take a strange sequence of events to knock the Generals out of the playoff picture. A victory today would clinch the fourth wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference. Yet, the Generals approach the playoffs on a slide.

They are a fading 11-4, listening to criticism from all sides. Well, almost all sides. "I don't understand why everyone up there's getting down on the Generals," sqid New Orleans coach Dick By ABBOTT KOLOFF Daily Record Staff Writer EAST RUTHERFORD The champagne has been waiting for a week, chilled and ready to go should the Generals beat New Orleans today in Giants Stadium. It took a little longer than they expected, and they may be staggering across the finish line as the playoffs approach, but a victory today would do much for the Generals' sagging morale. They've been in a slump for a month, losing two of their last four games, and last week's 40-14 embarrassment in Tampa exposed the Generals' weaknesses.

Walt Michaels blamed it on mental fatigue. One player, Tom McConnaughey, blamed it on Michaels' conservative game plan; a day later McConnaughey was cut on an off day. His teammates couldn't believe how quickly it happened. Perhaps it was a coincidence, but clearly Michaels is tired of listening MONMOUTH PARK OFFERS (one person FREE GRANDSTAND ADMISSION. MDfi This coupon is good any day thru September 1.

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