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BY RICH BARTON
NJS.com Staff Writer
LODI – When Lea Georgatos and Sarah Piening met one another seven years ago, neither knew what to make of the other. All each knew was that the other was a really good softball player. While their personalities were different, there was a natural bond as Georgatos is a catcher and Piening pitches. Little did they know that when they came to Immaculate Conception that they would become the most successful pitcher-catcher combination in North Jersey in their three seasons of varsity softball.
With two state titles already under their belts and Georgatos a senior, this is their last run through the state tournament and they want to end their partnership in style.
It began when Georgatos, an Emerson native, tried out for a club team run by Piening’s father. While Georgatos was nervous about merely making the team, Piening (who is a year younger) did not do anything to ease the transition to her new team.
“(Piening) was so loud and I was so quiet,” said Georgatos. “I was trying out for the club team that she and her dad started. Sarah was like ‘take a picture with me’. I said I didn’t want to. She said ‘if you don’t take a picture with me, you won’t be on the team. I was so scared,” said Georgatos, while laughing at recalling the story.
They were just hoping to be competitive on the highly-competitive PONY circuit. After a successful first year, they truly bonded and more success followed. They went 70-10 that summer and capped it with U14 state championship.
“The PONY state championship was our first real big tournament win,” said Piening. “We never thought it was going go to this extent. We missed everything like dances and parties growing up, but we always wanted to play. We worked together so well and (Lea) made me a better player. Our level just intensified.”
The relationship took a hiatus as Georgatos went to Emerson High School where she started as a freshman. Meanwhile, Piening was still in eighth grade in her hometown of Old Tappan. While the club connection between the two was still there, it looked as if reality had set in that the idea of playing together in high school was over.
However, when Piening elected to attend Immaculate Conception in Lodi it set off a light inside the head of her club battery mate. Georgatos was looking for a new challenge and a different experience while still playing competitive softball on the high school level. Immaculate Conception fit the bill on all of those accounts and before long the two were teammates once again.
Once again, success came quickly as the two were integral parts of the Blue Wolves’ 2013 Non-Public B state championship team. Georgatos had three HRs among her 16 extra-base hits that season along with providing fantastic defense behind the plate. Piening went 18-2 with 153 strikeouts as Immaculate Conception beat Sacred Heart of Vineland in the Non-Public B state final to secure the school’s first-ever state championship in any sport.
In 2014 it was more of the same as the duo became even more comfortable with one another on and off the field. The success continued as Piening was simply dominant throughout the state tournament. She pitched four straight shutouts, including a 13-strikeout performance in an 8-0 win over St. Joseph’s of Hammonton in the Non-Public B state championship game for the IC’s second state title.
“IC never used to be a big threat for softball,” said Piening. “I think when we came that we wanted to be the team everyone wanted to beat. Having that puts more excitement into it because you know teams are gunning for you. I came in thinking that we’re going to four state titles, or three in Lea’s case. Our team really loves each other and we play for each other.”
This year, the Blue Wolves went to a strictly independent schedule and played arguably the toughest slate of games of any team in New Jersey. There were some ups and downs personally for both Piening and Georgatos as well as some struggles for the team. But now, with every game possibly being the last time the longtime friends are on the field together they want to go out just as they came in: As champions.
“It’s so sad, (Lea) has been catching me since seventh grade!” said Piening. “I think just as a person, I’ve grown by coming here to Immaculate Conception. Here you can just be yourself and you aren’t judged.”
“That’s really rough, it’s so creepy,” said Georgatos, speaking of the impending separation. “I don’t even know, I try not to think about it or I get emotional. You really get to show your true colors and we’ve matured a lot together.”
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