Gloucester Rallies Past New Egypt and Moves On

Starting pitcher Sam Elder for Gloucester did not like what see was seeing early on in this semifinal softball game against New Egypt. The Lady Warriors were able to come through with some big hits as they have been doing all season long. The third seeded New Egypt softball team traveled to the second seeded Lady Lions from Gloucester competing for the chance to claim the South Jersey Group 1 title. Elder would soon settle down and keep this game close. After trailing for most of this game, the Lions bats finally came alive in dramatic fashion winning this game in extra innings by downing New Egypt 5-4.

This game had all of the makings of a game that would come down to the final innings, and it did. Both of these teams have had their success this season. New Egypt piled together a nine game winning streak that included the Warriors winning 12 out of their last 13 games before this semifinals match-up. Gloucester, meanwhile, were looking to extend their five game winning streak. They also were playing good softball winning 11 of their last 12 games.

Messinger would get the game’s first run of the game in the first and then score again in the third inning. New Egypt held a 3-0 lead and starting pitcher Christina Kukoda was in control of her pitches. The Lady Lions would respond late in this game. Rachel Gorman would provide the big hit when her two out triple scored two in the sixth inning. Gorman would score the tying run when Elder nicely place a single into the outfield. New Egypt would regain the lead with a run in the top of the seventh and Gloucester responded with a run of their own. The winning run came in the eighth inning when Heather Smizer, running for Elder who singled, later scored sending Gloucester to the title game.