DEFENDING CHAMPION MIDDLESEX EARNS REGION 19 TOURNAMENT BERTH WITH SWEEP OF BUCKS

The 2022 Region XIX District B Softball Champions will be defending their crown as Middlesex College swept Bucks CC to clinch a berth in the 2023 Region XIX Tournament.

Middlesex College Softball scored early and often in sweeping a doubleheader against Bucks County College, winning by scores of 19-3 and 12-9.

The Colts needed a sweep to secure a spot in the six-team field.

In Game 1, Middlesex pounded out 15 hits in their five-inning victory. Game 2 was a thriller as the Colts held off two late rallies by Bucks and were able to hold on for the extra inning win. The two wins even the Colts regular season record at 14-14.

Middlesex came out firing on all cylinders in Game 1 as Kaylin Nepton (Freshman/Middlesex, NJ) doubled twice and collected four RBIs. Madison Szatkowski (Freshman/Sayreville, NJ) continued her excellent year with a triple and four RBIs. Carla Seyfarth (Freshman/South Brunswick, NJ) added three hits of her own and scored four runs.

Jennah Schiraldo (Sophomore/Carteret, NJ) and Grace Damato (Freshman/Edison, NJ) both chipped in with two hits and two RBIs. Kaylen Tavarez (Freshman/Edison, NJ) added two hits and scored two runs. Summer Ramirez (Freshman/South Brunswick, NJ) recorded the complete game in the circle, only allowing one earned run on five hits.

Game 2 was scoreless after three full innings, but the Colts took a five run lead into the bottom of the seventh in a must win final game of the regular season. Bucks answered with five runs in their half of the seventh to send the game into extra innings.

Middlesex scored three in the top of the eighth and again had to hold off a Bucks rally. The game ended on a diving catch in right field by Rebecca Abbatemarco (Freshman/Edison, NJ) to secure the victory.

Schiraldo led the way with four hits and two RBIs, followed by Nepton with three hits, two of which were doubles. Abbatemarco had a double and Szatkowski had two hits and two RBIs in the game. Seyfarth added her team-leading fourth home run, and also collected three RBIs.

Marissa Lugo (Freshman/Iselin, NJ), Rebecca Ortiz (Freshman/South Plainfield, NJ), and Ramirez added RBIs. Ramirez threw another complete game, with five strikeouts and a walk.

The Colts await word on who they will face in the first round of the Region XIX Playoffs. An announcement on seeding is expected to happen in the coming days.