A family affair: St. John Vianney softball picks up title in revival year
HOLMDEL - Lorraine and Bart Lombardi booked Florida to New Jersey airline tickets right after it was set that St. John Vianney would face St. Thomas Aquinas in the NJSIAA South Non-Public A sectional championship softball game Friday. They really didn’t have much choice because granddaughter Madison McDougall wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
McDougall pitched her team to a 3-0 victory, lifting the host Lancers to a 26-1 record during a program revival season. Her mom is coach Kim Lombardi McDougall.
"My parents flew in from Florida on a Wednesday because my daughter was like, 'you told me you'd be here if we're going to sectionals,' and they flew right out," Kim said about her parents.
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It was worth the trip. Madison McDougall, a freshman, struck out seven and masterfully pitched out of some tight situations from allowing three hits and walking six.
Holly Lovet, Gabby Gonzalez (two hits) and Isabelle Cattelona each drove in runs.
How Madison McDougall pitches through trouble
From constant communication between coach and daughter during all seven innings, Kim opened up more options for Madison on the mound, letting her choose her own pitches -- even with bases loaded, title on the line.
"She has to deal with me, Mom, as a coach, so she's had a lot of experience with being talked to loudly," Kim said.
What’s it like for Madison to play for her mom at the high school level?
"Honestly…we're not even done yet, but she's been a great mom and coach on the field and off," Madison said. "She treats me like every other girl which is good. She never puts me above or below them. She's always making sure I'm healthy, well-rested and like the rest of the girls."
The mother-daughter duo and the program have a bright three years ahead.
"The last two years, I don't wanna say they were down years but they were rebuilding years," Kim said of the SJV program. "You know, adding two freshmen to an already talented team…it's exciting. This is where you wanna be."
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Who might St. John Vianney play next?
Madison snuck out a bases-loaded final inning situation to send the Lancers to the state Non-Public A championship game next week. The opponent will be either Mount St. Dominic or Immaculate Heart Academy (those teams will finish their suspended game Monday. Dominic on Friday was leading 5-4 in the sixth inning when the game was halted by poor weather).
"I'm more calm for some reason. I have no idea why, but ever since I was 12 years old, when I was in bases-loaded situations, no outs, I've been able to battle back, all three outs," Madison said. "I don't know if it's because I have more confidence in myself, or I just know that my team behind me will back me up."
The team has backed up the freshman since day one, and earlier, having played with each other on travel ball teams prior to enrolling at SJV.
Beyond the outfield fence there were plenty of supportive parents and community members, and the freshman said the support network gives the players strength from seeing the same faces over the years.
"Most of the parents out in the outfield I've been playing with since I was young, so I always know that they have my back, and I always know that they're gonna be cheering me on, even in the toughest," Madison said.
Madison said no matter what the team will keep moving forward - "pedal's down," she said.
Another family affair
St. John Vianney senior Grace Colucci and her sister, Sophia, who plays for St. Thomas, got a surprise when the tournament scheduling played out and they found themselves in opposing dugouts.
"I did not think we're actually gonna face them this year," Grace said.
The matchup was made possible when St. Thomas upended Vianney’s fierce rival, Donovan Catholic.
"Usually, Donovan always makes it to finals so everyone's always expecting to play them," Grace said. "They really upset Donovan and beat them, so it was nice to actually play against her because I never thought I would have."
Grace had a run and a single for SJV.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: St. John Vianney softball, Madison McDougall beat St. Thomas Aquinas
