Softball: East Brunswick advances to Central Group IV final

FLEMINGTON - If you've ever had the pleasure of meeting East Brunswick softball head coach Kevin Brady, you probably know that he never lacks enthusiasm or charisma. In his 17th year as skipper, the energetic coach can be heard no matter what side of the field you are sitting on, but on Tuesday it was the Bears' bats that brought the noise at the right time as they beat top-seeded Hunterdon Central 4-3 to advance to the NJSIAA Central Group IV Tournament final.

After trailing 1-0 for most of the game, fourth-seeded East Brunswick (21-6) scored all four of its runs in the top of the fifth as it upset the defending Central Group IV champs and earned a chance to play in the final against seventh-seeded Hightstown on Friday.

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“I thought their pitcher was in control nicely, but I thought we were showing some nice signs even though in the early innings when we weren’t scoring but we were having some good at bats,” Brady said. “You hope those (at bats) add up over time and obviously we were able to capitalize and bunch them together."

Sophomore pitcher Kylie Gletow was 15-4 inside the circle this season for Hunterdon Central (18-8) and was pitching a shutout on Tuesday until the top of the Bears' lineup came through in the top of the fifth.

Senior and leadoff hitter Samantha Smalley started the rally as she smacked a one-out double over the second baseman’s head. With a runner in scoring position Brenna Razzono lined one over second base, putting runners on the corners. Senior Ashli Venokur then hit an RBI single followed by an RBI single from Allie Warren for the go-ahead run.

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“I was just seeing the ball really well, she is a very good pitcher but I was just on top of her today,” said Allie Warren who finished 4-for-4. “When I got up I was just thinking to just hit the ball and just move the runners, I was just trying to what I could to help.”

After Venokur’s go-ahead run, the Bears added some insurance runs as Megan Kelliher rocketed a liner right down the left field line for a two-run double which gave the Bears a 4-1 lead.

As most champs do, the Red Devils never quit as they made a late run in the bottom of the seventh where they were one run away from tying the game with a runner in scoring position.

“We fought back at the end as hard as we could but we couldn’t make it happen,” Hunterdon Central coach Kelly Karp said. “This was a very good team and we just didn’t bring our best potential today, but I’m still proud of these girls. They did a great job all season.”

READ: Tuesday's softball roundup, including all local state tournament results

Senior pitcher Kaleigh Dwyer gave up 12 hits in seven innings but was able to end the Red Devils' season as she remained poised with a fly-out to left field for the final out.

“In my head I just had to go onto the next pitch because the ones behind you don’t matter anymore," Dwyer said. "We were still up so I just to get the next out and that’s all I was thinking about."

Dwyer, now 19-4 on the season as a starter, is hoping she gets a chance to earn her 20th win on Friday against Hightstown.

“I’m feeling good about the finals, and I’m hoping we can go all the way,” she said.

When asked if she’d be able to pitch on Friday in front of a home-crowd, Dywer responded “I’m always ready to go.”