Leah English drove in the winning run in the bottom of the sevemth inning for IHA, the top seed that got past Rutherford, 2-1, in the quarterfinals of the Bergen County Tournament.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – As Immaculate Heart Academy’s Leah English stepped to the plate against Rutherford in the Bergen County quarterfinals, she was in the situation every player dreams of. Bases loaded, tie game, bottom of the seventh against one of the county’s top pitchers. It was a spot that the talented junior has been waiting for her entire career for and she made the most of her opportunity.
English went with an outside fastball and lined it into the right field to plate the winning run as top-seeded IHA escaped the upset bid by scoring both of their runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to topple No. 9 seed Rutherford, 2-1, in the Bergen County Tournament quarterfinals on Saturday at IHA.
The majority of the contest felt more like a throwback game when the pitching rubber was just 40 feet from home plate instead of the 43 feet it is currently. Rutherford four-year starter Giana Yaniero was matching zeros with Gabi DellaVolpe of IHA. Neither team had a hit until Jenny Park singled for IHA in the fourth.
It looked like the Blue Eagles were finally going to break through in the sixth when all-state catcher Gabby Shadek led off with a double to right-center and courtesy runner Ariana Lee moved up to third on a wild pitch. However, Yaniero induced a pop-up to third baseman Allie Diaz and then with the bases loaded snared a chopper up the middle and threw to first to end the threat.
Giana Yaniero was outstanding in the circle for Rutherford.
English came on to pitch the seventh, but issued a leadoff walk to McKenna Grochowski. She advanced to third after a walk and a wild pitch. With two outs, Sophia Clossey hit a ground ball in the hole between shortstop and third base and beat it out for an infield single with Grochowski scoring on the play to put the Bulldogs ahead 1-0 and just three outs away from one of the bigger upsets in Bergen County Tournament history over the three-time defending county champions.
However, the champions are called that for a reason. Despite the dire circumstances there was no panic in the dugout. IHA head Diana Fasano called her team into a huddle and kept her team focused on the task at hand.
“We were hitting the ball hard all game, just right at them and they were making the plays, so we decided to keep the same approach,” said IHA head coach Diana Fasano. “The mentality was to pass the bat and keep it going.”
For the second straight inning, the Blue Eagles for the leadoff runner on when Rylee Smith singled. Lee once again was a threat on the basepaths with her speed. After reaching third, Gianna Muliero hit a hard ground ball to a drawn-in infield at second base. The ball was fielded cleanly but the throw went home with Lee sliding in safely with the tying run. Later in the inning with an open base and two outs, Shadek was intentionally walk to load the bases and bring English to the plate.
IHS starter Gabi DellaVolpe gave up just one hit over six innings with three walks and a career-high 12 strikeouts
The hard-swinging English kept her swing compact and quick to the ball. With Yaniero unable to be careful around her, English looked for one pitch and one zone. She got the pitch she was looking for and drilled it into right field to score Muliero and touch a celebration filled with both elation that the Blue Eagles pulled out the win and relief that they were able to advance after such a tough test.
“My mentality during that last at-bat was to stay composed and trust myself for all the work I’ve put in to be in this position,” said English. “What made me dig deep was the love and support I had from my teammates, especially the seniors.”
English picked up the win in relief along with the game-winning hit for IHA (16-1). DellaVolpe had a magnificent performance in the circle, giving up just one hit over six innings with three walks and a career-high 12 strikeouts.
Yaniero took the hard-luck loss for Rutherford (12-5-1). She gave up five hits with four walks and four K’s. Payton Lewis had one of the two hits for the Bulldogs.
IHA will face a familiar for in next Saturday’s Bergen County semifinals. They will take on Ramapo, a 6-5 winner over Northern Valley/Old Tappan in their quarterfinal showdown. IHA has beaten Ramapo in each of the last three Bergen County Tournaments, twice in the championship game.
“Ramapo is a great team and always a tough game to prepare for, we’re excited for the challenge,” said Fasano.
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