Thursday, April 4, 2007

By Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer

DEMAREST – After suffering through three years of sub-.500 seasons of varsity softball, Northern Valley/Demarest pitcher Jessica Iuliano could look at her senior season in one of two ways. She could either accept that things are never going to get any better, or she could work that much harder to reverse the losing trend.

Lifting a program to respectability is a tall order in the rugged NBIL, but Iuliano knew that a turnaround was possible. After only dreaming about making appearances in the Bergen County and state tournaments throughout her scholastic career, she is now hoping to lead the Norsewomen towards those goals that were unthinkable just one year ago.

Iuliano, a senior right-hander, twirled a four-hit shutout as Northern Valley/Demarest won its second consecutive game to open the season with a 2-0 triumph over Northern Highlands.

“We’re definitely sick and tired of losing,” said Iuliano. “We worked so hard all year for this season. Holding our composure and staying focused is something we have to do to be successful.”

Demarest jumped on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first without the benefit of a base hit. Cody Kugler worked a 10-pitch at-bat against Northern Highlands’ senior southpaw Jenna Stoller before drawing a walk to lead off the inning. She stole second then moved to third on an infield error. Michelle Brody brought her home with an RBI groundout to put the Norsewomen ahead 1-0.

Northern Highlands bounced right back in the top of the second with back-to-back singles by Amanda Blake and Katie Rehain with one out. The experienced Iuliano was not rattled and struck out the next two batters to end the inning.

“We put in a lot of hard work for this season and we’re already starting to see the results,” said Northern Valley/Demarest head coach Keith Johnson. “This year, we’re focused on doing the little things well both offensively and defensively. It also a nice comfort to have Jess (Iuliano) on the mound, an experienced senior that can get us out of tough spots. She did that a few times today in key situations.”

The Highlanders threatened again in the fourth. Danielle Rotonda led off with an infield single, moving to second on a throwing error. Blake moved her over to third on a bunt, but she did not get any further. Iuliano recorded another strikeout on a high fastball to halt the threat.

“I just tried to get ahead in the count and then make them chase,” said Iuliano. “It was working for me so I stuck with it.

In the top of the sixth, the Highlanders had two runners on when Rotonda walked and Stoller followed with a bloop single. Iuliano has been more of a contact pitcher in her varsity career, but has emerged as more of a strikeout pitcher this season. She notched 11 strikeouts in a season-opening win over Fair Lawn and rung up another ‘K’ to end the sixth.

For the Norsewomen, it was an escape from another jam. On the flip side, it was the third time that the Highlanders had a runner in scoring position without one crossing the plate, which wasted an equally impressive pitching performance by Stoller.

“It’s frustrating with the potential that we have to come out of here without scoring,” said Tara Madigan, also the Highlands head girls soccer coach who is in her first season in charge of the softball program. “We struggled at the plate and we struggled in the field. Demarest took advantage of their opportunities and we didn’t and that was the difference in the game.”

Demarest tacked on an insurance run when Stephanie Manella doubled and scored on Jaimie Beddoe’s suicide squeeze. That insurance was not needed however, as Iuliano closed out the game in style by striking out the side.

Iuliano walked just one batter in pitching her first shutout of the season for Northern Valley/Demarest (2-0). Manella, Brody, and Beddoe had the hits for the Norsewomen. Stoller also walked just one, gave up three hits, and had 8 Ks for Northern Highlands (0-2). The Highlanders will look to rebound and put one in the win column on Friday against Fair Lawn.

Being undefeated after two games is an achievement that some teams might take for granted. Not Demarest, however, which suffered through a 9-16 ledger last spring. The Norsewomen feel this could be beginning of the most successful season in over a decade.

“We were always looked at as maybe an easy win for other teams and we’re not going to be like that this year,” added Iuliano. “This is what we wanted, to get off to a good start and get a couple of wins. It feels great to be (2-0) right now. I feel we’re starting something really good here this season. Our team has a lot of seniors and this is it, this is our time.”

TO BUY A COLLECTOR'S PRINT OF THIS GAME STORY, PLEASE VISIT 4FeetGrafix.com.