Demarest center fielder Cody Kugler put the pedal to the metal and broke for home on contact and was safe to give the visiting Norsewomen the 2-1 victory.

"Our coaches tell us to have total confidence in hitting the ball," said Beddoe. "That’s what I did, I just hit the ball and made contact."

It was a pitcher’s duel with both athletes only allowing one run through seven innings. Undefeated Norsewomen pitcher Jessica Iuliano worked in and out of trouble striking out six Golden Knights.

In the first inning, Iuliano had trouble locating her pitches and she issued two consecutive walks to load the bases. She then bore down to strike out Capazzi to end the inning.

"I was nervous," said Iuliano. "I just thought I have to keep my composure and show no emotion, but inside I was shaking in my shoes."

After Iuliano worked out of trouble it was the Demarest defense that stole the show that put the power pitcher at ease in the next frames.

"After the first inning I learned what pitches worked for each opposing batter and I got into a groove," said Iuliano. "I am 100 percent confident that the girls out in the field will make the plays and I owe it all to them."

Kugler was at the eye of the defensive storm snagging any fly balls or liners into her mitt. The Norsewoman threw out a runner at home to preserve the scoreless game. "I knew she was going home, so I took my time and threw it in," said Kugler. "We practice that situation a lot and that definitely helped."

Kugler also helped out on offense, as she was the catalyst that started both scoring rallies. In the sixth she lined the ball to right field for a bloop single and later came around to score the first run of the game on a Michelle Brody bullet past the shortstop. This put Demarest ahead 1-0.

"It was a good hit and a tough at bat," said Brody. "I heard my teammates cheering and I looked to keep it on the ground."

It was a masterful start for home team pitcher Capazzi, as she matched Iuliano. At times the right-hander looked unhittable. She ended the day with nine strikeouts. In three of the eight innings Capazzi sent down the Norsewomen in order.

The home team struggled to advance runners, leaving eight on base. The Golden Knights put the bat on the ball, but it was just one of those days.

"We played a great game and the girls hit the ball hard, giving the outfield a lot of action," said Old Tappan coach Melissa Landeck. "But they were flawless in the field. It’s heartbreaking to lose in a close game, but sometimes you don’t get the breaks.

"We had our opportunities, but every hard hit ball was right to a fielder."

Capazzi also had the lone RBI for the Golden Knights which tied the game in the bottom half of the sixth. Third baseman Mia Assante also had a big day at the plate with a single and double.

With the win, Demarest is undefeated, and so is Iuliano, at 5-0. The Norsewomen have their sights set on a special season and look to go as far as their talent and trust take them.

"I never met a kid that prepared more and softball is her season," said Demarest coach Keith Johnson. "We also had a lot of scrimmages, which helped her. She just places the ball, hits her spots and rarely walks batters. A main reason for her success is she trusts her defense."