Lenape Blazers u12 softball takes Northwest Jersey Spring League

Lenape - The 12&Under Lenape Blazers Girls Softball team posted a record of 16-2 in the Northwest Jersey Spring League this season winning their final 13 games. The Blazer’s offense was led by Danielle Levine (.418, 29 R, 31 RBIs), Caitlin Zaleski (.351, 28 R, 31 RBIs), Suzanne Grochowski (.304, 30 R, 42 RBIs) and Kristen Millian (.300, 26 R, 35 RBIs). The defense was provided by a strong outfield in Kathleen Schmitt, Alyx DiRenzo, Brianna Gowe and Meagan Price. The single elimination tournament began with the Blazers defeating Sparta 1-0 in game one. Caitlin Zaleski (7 SO, 1 BB) allowed just one hit for Lenape. The score was 0-0 in the last inning when Danielle Levine drew a lead-off walk and stole second. Suzanne Grochowski hit a 1-0 pitch in the gap scoring Levine to give the Lenape the win. In game two, the Blazers defeated Newton 3-2. The Blazers scored the first run in the bottom of the second when Grochowski singled to left, went to third on a hit by Deanna Utter and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Deanna Inez. Newton tied the game 1-1 in the third. The Blazers made it 2-1 in the fourth when Levine walked and stole second and scored on a Grochowski hit. Newton retaliated with a run in the sixth to knot the score at 2-2. Zaleski lead off the sixth with a walk and stole second. Millian grounded to short and the throw from 1st to 3rd was high allowing Zaleski to score the winning run. Deanna Inez pitched for the Blazers striking out eight. In the championship game, Caitlin Zaleski (6 SO, 0 BB) scattered four hits to defeat Mt. Olive 3-0. The Blazers scored in second when Deanna Utter doubled and came in on an infield error. In the fourth inning, Utter singled to right, stole 2nd, went to 3rd on a ground-out and stole home. Jenna Tambasco singled in the sixth, stole second, went to third on an error and scored on a ground-out by Jordan Benvenuto. The victory marked the seventh in a row for Lenape (25-3). The team also posted a record of 3-0 in the Babe Ruth District Championship. In game one the Blazers scored 13 runs to defeat High Point 13-2 as Deanna Inez got the win with eight strikeouts. Brianna Gowe and Deanna Utter each scored three runs, Kristen Millian and Meagan Price each scored two . Both Danielle Levine and Kristen Millian knocked in four runs a piece, Suzanne Grochowski knocked in two and Kathleen Schmitt had one. In game two, Caitlin Zaleski (8 SO, 3 BB) pitched the Blazers to 4-2 victory. West Milford scored in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the first, Utter singled with two outs. Levine had an infield hit, Grochowski went to first on a dropped third strike and Zaleski walked to bring in the first Blazer run. In the seconnd, Jenna Tambasco walked, stole to third and scored on a single by Jordan Benvenuto giving the Blazers a 2-1 lead. In the third, Utter went to first on an error, Levine walked, Zaleski singled scoring Utter, and Inez knocked in Levine. The Blazers gave up a run in the fifth but held on for the 4-2 win. In the championship game, Deanna Inez (7 SO, 6 BB) gave up three runs in the first inning but shut down West Milford the rest of the way for a 7-3 win. The Blazers were down 3-0 in the first inning when Price lead off with a single, stole second and third and scored on a ground-out by Millian. Utter singled, Levine singled and with two outs, Inez reached on an error scoring Utter. Grochowski knocked in two with a double to left and Tambasco singled to cap off a five-run inning giving the Blazers a 5-3 lead. The Blazers scored again in the fourth when Tambasco doubled, Benvenuto singled her in, DiRenzo reached on an error and Price bunted in the run. West Milford went three-up three-down in the last three innings. The victory brings the Lenape record to 34-4.