18 hours Ago By Rick Fortenbaugh
EWING TWP. — It was a successful debut for new Robbinsville High School softball co-head coaches Dave Boehm and Carly Peditto on Thursday. and they can largely credit new No.
1 pitcher and junior Lexi Lopez for the team’s 5-3 victory over Ewing. Although Lopez had seen some varsity action in her first two years with the Ravens, this season she has been thrust into a leading role with the graduation of Katie Ziliani. It’s not an easy void to fill because Robbinsville has had strong pitching every since it emerged as a state power 15 years ago with Lauren Fischer in the circle, but Lopez certainly did her part on Thursday.
Pitching-wise, Lopez limited Ewing to four hits and recorded an impressive 13 strikeouts against a Ewing team that does have some proven hitters in the lineup. In addition to throwing some heat on the outside corner Lopez showed an effective change-up. Her last two change-ups were back to back as she recorded a strikeout to end the game with two Blue Devils on base following a single and an error.
The team’s clean-up batter, Lopez’s heroics were not limited to her pitching, however. After driving in a run with a single in the first inning, Lopez smashed a two-run home run to center field in a fifth inning in which the Ravens took control by putting three runs on the board for a 4-1 lead. This came after the team’s capable senior catcher and Drexel University recruit Tuleen Ali had singled home the first run of the inning.
The biggest hit for Ewing in this game was a two-run single by Ammonie Wertz Panniel in the fifth inning that kept the Blue Devils within striking distance. “It’s funny because after Lexi doubled (in a scrimmage) against East Brunswick I said we have to move her up in the order,” said Boehm. “We will be OK this season.
We should be able to scratch out some wins.” You can be sure it will be more than a few for a Robbinsville team that is starting only two seniors. All-County center fielder Ariana Tomlinson, who has a softball scholarship to play for Seton Hall, is currently out with a knee injury she suffered in a powder puff football game, but the hope is she will return in time for the tournaments in May.
Another plus is Robbinsville has again been injected with young talent. Jules Amoroso is just a freshman, but is already a a capable shortstop with a strong arm and can hit as well. Amoroso scored the first run of the game after smacking a double in her first high school at bat and certainly projects as a staple of the Robbinsville team for the next four years.
“It wasn’t pretty, but we will take it,” said Boehm. Robbinsville (1-0) 100 030 1 – 5 10 2 Ewing (1-2) 000 020 1 – 3 4 3 WP-Lopez. LP-Singer.
2B-Grodsky (R), Amoroso (R). HR-Lopez..
