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| Central New Jersey Lightning Captures 2024 WMS Title; Unbeaten in WMS Championship and Declared the Champions. |
by Curt Gowdy, Stratford Patch, Community Contributor
Aug 5 - The Central Jersey Lightning were declared the National Women's Major Softball Champions for 2024, thereby successfully defending their 2023 WMS Title. They went unbeaten in three games in bracket play after going unbeaten in pool-play to advance to the championship.
Unfortunately the tournament had to be stopped and ended, after once again for the third straight evening, heavy rains returned to DeLuca Hall of Fame Field making the field unplayable.
This after the Stratford Public Works Department, led by Crew Chief Rob Cronk, made it possible to have the field ready for the finals, which no one thought was possible because a torrential thunderstorm forced play to be halted Saturday evening.
Cronk also led the cleanup efforts on Saturday morning after heavy rains forced the stoppage on Friday evening.
Sunday's Championship game between the Lightning and the Stratford Brakettes was going into the bottom of the third when the storm hit.
Earlier, in the second round of bracket play, the Lightning defeated the Stratford Brakettes 4-1 behind the pitching of Sam Gress who held the Brakettes to only two hits.
After that loss, the Stratford Brakettes went on to beat the Junior Brakettes 8-2 to advance to the loser bracket finals against the Stripes and Strikes.
The Stripes and Strikes had lost in the winners bracket finals to the Lightning by a score of 2-1 which set up the Brakettes and Stripes and Strikes matchup.
The Brakettes, in come from behind fashion, went on to beat the Stripes and Strikes by scoring 4 runs in the bottom of 6th to take a 5-2 lead. Winning pitcher Sophia DiCocco closed out the 7th and the Brakettes went on to the Championship game.
They would have to beat the Lightning twice to win the crown but mother nature had other ideas.
By virtue of being undefeated, winning the winners bracket final, head to head records, runs scored, and runs allowed, the Lightning were declared the champions.
When the announcement was made a jubilant bunch of Lightning celebrated just outside their dugout and they attained their quest of defending their title.
Click the WMS Tournament site link for the tournament progression and flow all the way to the title.
Several individual awards were handed out during the closing ceremonies and presented by Brakette General Manager Rob Baird.
These awards are in the name of numerous players to leave a mark in the pride and tradition of the Brakettes and their storied history.
Micki Stratton Most Valuable Player - Kelsey Carr of the Lightning
Pat Dufficy Home Run Champion - co-winners Kelsey Carr of the Lightning and Marissa Trivelpiece of the Stripes and Strikes
Diane Schumacher Batting Champion - Chelsea Villar of the Brakettes
Joan Joyce Oustanding Pitcher - Sam Gress of the Lightning
Allyson Rioux Defensive Player Award - Katie Sciglimpaglia of the Brakettes
Danni Kemp Sportsmanship Award - Jackie Pengel of the Brakettes
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Central Jersey Lightning
2024 WMS Repeat Champions |
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