John Wich
It was a game that had it all: drama, suspense, excitement, and a stunning comeback. Robbinsville High School softball team faced off against Immaculata High School in the NJSIAA Non-Public A South semifinal on Tuesday, May 23. The game was expected to be a close one, as both teams had impressive records and talented players. But no one could have predicted the outcome of this epic showdown.
How Robbinsville Pulled Off a Miracle
Robbinsville entered the game as the underdog, having lost to Immaculata twice in the regular season. Immaculata had a powerful offense, led by senior pitcher Alanna Pearson, who had a 0.64 ERA and 232 strikeouts in 131 innings. Robbinsville had a solid defense, led by junior pitcher Shea Walsh, who had a 1.35 ERA and 149 strikeouts in 124 innings.
The game started off as a pitcher’s duel, with both teams struggling to score runs. Immaculata broke the deadlock in the fourth inning, scoring two runs on a single by Pearson and an error by Robbinsville. Immaculata added another run in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by senior catcher Gianna Novak.
Robbinsville was down 3-0 going into the seventh and final inning. It looked like Immaculata had the game wrapped up, as Pearson had only allowed two hits and struck out 12 batters. But Robbinsville refused to give up. They rallied with four hits and four runs in the bottom of the seventh, stunning Immaculata and their fans.
The rally started with a leadoff single by senior shortstop Chelsea Manto, who stole second base and advanced to third on a groundout by senior second baseman Brynn Hopkins. Senior first baseman Devon Witt followed with an RBI single to score Manto and put Robbinsville on the board. Witt then stole second base and scored on an RBI single by junior third baseman Shea Krebs.
Krebs moved to second base on a wild pitch and scored the tying run on an RBI double by junior catcher Alexa Klepper. Klepper then advanced to third base on another wild pitch and scored the winning run on a walk-off single by freshman outfielder Olivia Moser.
The Robbinsville players and coaches stormed the field, celebrating their miraculous comeback. They had pulled off one of the greatest upsets in NJ high school softball history.
What This Win Means for Robbinsville
With this win, Robbinsville advanced to the NJSIAA Non-Public A South final, where they will face Donovan Catholic High School on Thursday, May 25. Donovan Catholic is the top-ranked team in NJ and has a 29-1 record. They have scored 337 runs and allowed only 19 runs this season.
Robbinsville will have to play their best game ever to beat Donovan Catholic, but they have shown that they have the heart and determination to overcome any challenge. They have also proven that they can compete with any team in NJ, regardless of their ranking or reputation.
Robbinsville has made history with their stunning comeback against Immaculata. They have inspired many people with their never-say-die attitude and their love for the game. They have shown that anything is possible when you believe in yourself and your teammates.
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