S. Jersey Girls: Gloucester Catholic upsets Red Bank Catholic

Gloucester Catholic had just two hits in 10 innings against one of the state's best softball teams, but the second hit helped pull off a 2-1 surprise at Red Bank Catholic yesterday in the semifinals of the NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public A tournament.

Trailing by 1-0 in the seventh inning after Red Bank Catholic's Alana DiMaso homered in the sixth, the Rams (20-9) forced extra innings when Shannon Corrado scored the tying run on an error on a double steal.

With the international tiebreaker rule in effect in the 10th, Shayla Giosia dashed home with the deciding run on a one-out ground-ball single by Kristen Collins.

Collins, the centerfielder, also helped defensively with a nice running catch of a second-inning fly ball in left-center field.

Red Bank Catholic (23-2) pitcher Brittany O'Donnell struck out 17 Rams, but walked a career-high 11. The Caseys are ranked No. 9 in the country by ESPN.

Gloucester Catholic, which will play Bishop Ahr in the sectional final Tuesday, got a six-hit, two-strikeout pitching effort from Nicole Haggerty, who also tripled for the Rams' first hit but was thrown out trying to score on the play.

South Jersey Group 2. Kristen Knorr went 3 for 3 with a double and a run batted in, aiding Delsea's 6-0 win at Central Regional (18-6) in the sectional championship game.

Allison Pfrommer pitched a four-hit shutout with two strikeouts and no walks, and Annie Zeilman drove in two runs for the Crusaders (19-6).

Cape-Atlantic. Jane Higgins' two home runs helped St. Joseph beat host Holy Spirit, 12-0, and clinch the league's National Conference and Division II titles for the fourth straight year.

Higgins hit a three-run homer in the first inning and a grand slam in the third as part of a 3-for-3 batting performance with three runs scored and eight RBIs. Nicole Pagano (14-2) struck out 11 in a five-inning one-hitter.

Victoria Imbesi set Non-Public B meet records in the discus and javelin, and teammate Genevieve Rybicki broke her own mark in the shot put as Our Lady of Mercy took the girls' team title in the state championships at Egg Harbor Township.