High School Softball:
Pennsauken Upsets Highland In Playoff Action

Tuesday, May 22, 2001

By Crystal Parker
SJSports Staff Writer

Tiffany Frick had a lot of confidence stepping onto the pitching mound for Pennsauken during a South Jersey Group 4 softball game at Highland High School. Not only was her team riding a five game winning streak going into this first round playoff game, but also privileged to see her team score two important runs in the top of the first inning. Pennsauken, behind their great defensive plays, would hold off a seventh inning rally to defeat the Lady Tartans 3-1 and advance to the semi-finals against Millville.

On Tuesday afternoon in Blackwood, the several days of rain would finally stop long enough to start the 2001 softball playoffs. Most schools were concerned about the field conditions and whether to reschedule their game for yet another day. But with an unfavorable forecast, the Lady Tartans took the field and began their first round meeting of the South Jersey Group 4 playoffs. As the game went on, the overcast skies began to open up which peaks of sunlight and warmer temperatures that provided some relief for the crowd to enjoy.

Pennsauken wasted little time in this game by getting their leadoff batter Katie Baxendale on base. Two batters later, Frick belted an RBI double to plate the first run of the game. Shortstop Katie McHugh came through which proved to be the winning run of the game with a line drive single. With those two runs and her teammates behind her, Frick was ready to face the Lady Tartans. Highland would also get their leadoff batter on base and captialize on their opportunity when starting pitcher Kristen Lange blasted an RBI double to cut Pennsauken's lead in half.

In the third inning, Jen Rosario lead things off with a single. Frick would come through with her second hit of the game to give Pennsauken runners at first and second with no outs. Rosario would be force out at third on McHugh's fielders choice. After Frick and McHugh completed a successful double steal, two batters later Jen Waters grounded a single for Pennsauken's third run of the game. Pennsauken played excellent defense to preserve their win and will travel to Millville for their semi-final game.

Photos by Art Redd