Cedar Grove softball makes it look easy on way to another sectional title
CEDAR GROVE - Seven minutes.
That’s all the time Cedar Grove needed to return to the top. By the time the first inning was over in Saturday’s North 1, Group 1 sectional softball final, the Panthers led 5-0 and were nearly celebrating another monumental accomplishment.
Top-seeded Cedar Grove, the reigning Essex County Tournament champions, cruised to a 10-0 victory over No. 2 seed Emerson in five innings in the NJSIAA North 1, Group 1 final at Panther Park.
It’s the Panthers' first state sectional crown since 2019 and fourth in the last six seasons. (There was no season in 2020.)
Cedar Grove (25-3) will meet Weehawken (25-2) in the Group 1 semifinals on Tuesday in Hudson County. The Indians shut out Whippany Park, 3-0 Saturday in the North 2. Group 1 final.
Sophomore hurler Cayce Kavakich threw a one-hit gem, striking out 11 batters in five innings of work. Emerson’s only hit of the game came from Sarah Mokrzecki with two outs in the first inning. After that, Kavakich retired the next 13 batters and struck out the side in both the second and third innings.
“I didn’t expect to have a big lead that early in the game. I actually expected a longer game. But when we got that lead, I was so much more comfortable and I was able to trust myself,” Kavakich said. “We’re such a close team. We’ve all grown up together and played together for so long. We’re a family, sisters and it makes it so much fun.”
The Panthers collected 14 hits as a team, five off of Emerson ace Natalie Graham and nine off of reliever Mokrzecki. Kavakich helped her own cause with a game-high three hits and four RBIs. Five other Panthers had two hits apiece.
“We were hungry after what happened to us last year. Our goal was to get back here and finish the job,” Cedar Grove coach Nikki Velardi said. “But our work isn’t done yet. We still have the group tournament to play.”
What it means
Cedar Grove is a sectional champion for the first time in four years after winning three straight titles from 2017-2019.
The Panthers will begin their quest for a third Group 1 title starting Tuesday against Weehawken in the state semifinal round. Cedar Grove last claimed group championships in 2017 and 2019.
Cedar Grove extended its win streak to 18 straight. Its last loss came against Mount St. Dominic, a 3-1 setback on April 21.
Emerson (25-4) closed out a successful campaign, reaching a state sectional final for the second time in three years. It also marked the third straight season the Cavos won 20 or more games. This season’s 25-win total is the most since going 23-4 in 2017. Over the last three years, the Bergen County school is 67-13.
Big inning
Cedar Grove broke out the bats early with a five-run first inning and never looked back.
Leadoff batter Gabriella Florre reached base on an error and scored the Panthers first run on a Kavakich RBI single two batters later.
Gia Fernandez followed with a single before Marina Bryant cleared the bases with a two-run RBI triple to make it 3-0.
Madison Lemongello then doubled to drive in Bryant and Daniella D’Angelo singled on a fly ball to center field to make it 5-0.
They said it
“I thought this game was going to be close. But we came out strong the same way we’ve been doing it since the county tournament. We kept it going. My job is to get on base and once that happens, I know I’m going to score.” – Florre.
“I stress our history and tradition to the girls every year. We have a championship mindset and the culture is great. We prepared all week for this game. The big thing about this team is grit. We have grit and they’re hungry to win.” – Velardi.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Cedar Grove NJ softball makes it look easy on way to sectional title
