Passaic Valley shortstop Izzy Tiseo knocked a run and scored a run for to help the Hornets to a 11-1 win over West Milford on Monday.
LITTLE FALLS - Even though there was talent returning on the softball diamond for Passaic Valley coming into this season, the players were uncertain of what their expectations should be or what they were capable of. With a camaraderie that is noticeable from the first pitch of a game to the last along with a balanced lineup and one of North Jersey's top battery combinations, it took just ten days for the Hornets to figure out that they are a team that should strive for championships.
Hornets' junior southpaw, Mia Aquino, wiggled out of a couple of early jams before settling into her groove. The bats came alive late, including five straight two-out hits to end the game an inning early as Passaic Valley stayed unbeaten on the young season with an 11-1 victory over West Milford on Monday at Passaic Valley High School in Little Falls.
"We come out every day ready to work and ready to compete," said Passaic Valley head coach Kathy Hill. "We've been working very hard on the mental part of the game and being prepared for every situation."
West Milford's Mia Biancamano led off the game with a triple, but she did not get any further. Aquino buckled down to leave her stranded at third.
Aquino's battery mate, sophomore Kacey DiPasquale, is a rising star who can make an impact both offensively and defensively. She got hit by a pitch, stole second, and took third on a wild pitch. Alexa DeLuccia lifted a sac fly to bring her home and put PV on the scoreboard first.
West Milford (0-3) answered back in the top of the third when Hayley Allwood tripled down the right-field line and came home on a throwing error to knot the game at 1-1. The game did not stay tied for long. In the bottom half of the frame, Lily Allmendinger tripled and Izzy Tiseo lifted a sac fly that put the Hornets back in front, 2-1.
West Milford's Hayley Allwood had two of the Highlanders' four hits and scored their lone run.
The Hornets then caught a break as what should have been the third out on a line drive to the outfield was misplayed and two runs scored to make it 4-1. By this point, Aquino was settling into her rhythm by getting ahead in the count and then using a variety of pitches along with changing speeds to get batters out.
"Knowing that my team is behind me both defensively and with the bats it gives me a lot more confidence to go out and do my job," said Aquino. "I wanted to mix up the height of my pitches and also use my changeup a little bit more today.
"This team is like one big sisterhood and we all look out for each other. It creates a good bond and helps us build each other up for games like this."
After taking control in the fifth inning, the Hornets put the game away in the sixth. Alexa DeLuccia and Bella Gomez capped the seven-run outburst with back-to-back run-scoring hits to put the ten-run mercy rule into effect.
DiPasquale and Gomez each went 3-4 for Passaic Valley (3-0). Sarah Raimo and Allmendinger combined to go 4-4 with four RBI's and two runs scored. Aquino went the distance, allowing four hits, one run, with one walk and nine strikeouts.
Off to a hot start, the Hornets will look to keep it going this week when they face fellow Passaic County foes Wayne Hills, Clifton and DePaul.
"I'm very happy with our start but we have a lot of work ahead of us," said Hill. "It's a long season and we have a long way to go. It's a gradual grind and this team is ready, willing, and able to do whatever it takes to get better."
FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT PLEASE CLICK HERE. TO BUY A COLLECTOR'S PRINT OF THIS STORY PLEASE VISIT 4-FeetGrafix.com
