Monday, May 23, 2016

By The Super Computer
NJS.com Proprietary Technology

The Super Computer is NorthJerseySports.com's proprietary technology that predicts playoff outcomes to within .01 percent accuracy. What is says here is what will happen in the state sectional softball tournaments getting underway in earnest on this beautiful Monday.

Weehawken's Sophie Chong

North 2, Group 1
Seeds: 1. Dayton 2. Dunellen 3. Hoboken 4. Brearley 5. Ridgefield 6. Secaucus 7. Roselle Park 8. Bloomfield Tech 9. Weehawken 10. Technology 11. North Arlington 12. Belvidere 13. Somerset Tech 14. University Charter 15. Roselle 16. Arts

Player to Watch:
Julia Peschetti, Secaucus
Peschetti is the classic three-sport athlete, a gamer who lives for the big stage. With every game potentially being the last of her high school career, look for the captain to be a leader by example with her gritty play.

Pitcher to Watch:
Sophie Chong, Weehawken
Chong is a true strikeout pitcher who averages nearly 1.5 Ks per inning. The junior has shown the ability to blow the ball past quality opponents. Just her presence in the circle will make Weehawken a tough team to beat in this section.

Biggest First-Round Upset:
Weehawken over Bloomfield Tech

Sophie and twin sister Samantha are both batting over .500 and will be tough to contain. The key will be how often do the Indians get on base in front of them to give them RBI opportunities.

First-Round Winners:
Dayton, Dunellen, Hoboken, Brearley, Ridgefield, Secaucus, Roselle Park, Weehawken

Final:
Weehawken vs. Hoboken

Winner:
Hoboken
Coming off a loss to Kearny in the section final that was not all that competitive (7-1), the Red Wings will be fired up to make up for it with a section crown.

North 2, Group 2
Seeds: 1. Hanover Park 2. Rutherford 3. Caldwell 4. Parsippany 5. Morris Tech 6. Lodi 7. Hackettstown 8. Whippany Park 9. Madison 10. Leonia 11. Lyndhurst 12. Ridgefield Park 13. Science Park 14. Parsippany Hills 15. North 13st Street Tech 16. Newark Central

Rutherford's Natalie Else

Player to Watch:
Natalie Else, Rutherford
The Bulldogs do not allow many runners to reach base. But when they do, Else’s rocket arm behind the plate is a major deterrent to stop aggressive teams from trying to steal. The senior is no slouch at the plate either hitting over .400 and leading the team in RBIs.

Pitcher to Watch:
Leigha Goldsack, Rutherford
Goldsack has been lights out all season long, even in the few losses the Bulldogs have had. She mixes speeds effectively and can baffle the most talented of lineups.

Biggest First-Round Upset:
Ridgefield Park over Morris Tech
RP head coach Mook Iannacone is a favorite here at NorthJerseySports.com. Shortstop Melissa Atkinson is the best kept secret in this section. Look for her to have a big day in what will be ‘A great day to be a Scarlet’.

First-Round Winners:
Hanover Park, Rutherford, Caldwell, Parsippany, Ridgefield Park, Lodi, Leonia, Madison

Final:
Hanover Park vs. Rutherford

Winner:
Rutherford
Crunching the numbers, it was impossible not to pick the Lady Bulldogs here. Not only because they are a great team with a veteran head coach, Helen Antzoulides, but especially because this is a team that simple is due. Plus, I know if they win it that Richie Ballgame will be leaving his wallet in the car. (Inside joke that quite frankly isn’t all that funny.)

Non-Public A North
Seeds: 1. Immaculate Heart Academy 2. Mount St. Dominic 3. Hudson Catholic 4. Pingry 5. DePaul 6. Pope John 7. Holy Angels 8. Union Catholic 9. Oak Knoll 10. Paramus Catholic 11. Kent Place 12. Mother Seton

IHA's Reese Guevarra

Player to Watch:
Reese Guevarra, IHA
The speedy centerfielder is the most electrifying player in this section and arguably in New Jersey. She is a speed demon with superb bat control. Besides hitting to all fields, she can hit with power and be a nightmare on the bases. Not to mention being a great defensive centerfielder, Guevarra is the X-factor in every game she plays in.

Pitcher to Watch:
Olivia Sprofera, IHA
Sprofera is simply the most dominant pitcher in New Jersey. The junior left-hander has mowed her way through what most people would call the toughest schedule in the state coming. Coming off of a one-hitter with 13K’s in the Bergen County final win over Indian Hills, Sprofera shows no signs of slowing down.

Biggest First-Round Upset:
Kent Place over Pope John
Why? More importantly, why not?

Quarterfinal Winners:
IHA, Mount St. Dominic, Kent Place, DePaul

Final:
IHA vs. Mount St. Dominic

Winner:
IHA

No team has remotely been through what the Blue Eagles have been through this season from an emotional standpoint. After the passing of legendary head coach Anthony Larezza the Blue Eagles are a team on a mission to make sure that the championship legacy he left behind lives on for a long time to come.

IC's Sarah Piening

Non-Public B North
Seeds: 1. Newark Academy 2. Immaculate Conception 3. Morris Catholic 4. Morristown-Beard 5, Montclair Kimberley Academy 6. Eastern Christian 7. Villa Walsh 8. Dwight-Englewood

Player to Watch:
Lots
It’s 2:07 A.M. and even the most elaborate of computers get tired.

Pitcher to Watch:
Sarah Piening, Immaculate Conception

Trivia question,: How many pitchers in North Jersey have ever won four NJSIAA state championships? Answer: None.

Piening has the chance to become the first but will have to get through a field that is much improved from years past. With experience on her side, the Rollins College-bound righty is aware that staying composed mentally through tough situations is as important as any pitch she will throw during the state tournament.

Quarterfinal winners:
Newark Academy, Immaculate Conception, Morris Catholic, MKA

Final:
Newark Academy vs. Immaculate Conception

Winner:
Immaculate Conception