By J.C. Baumuller
Managing Editor
Published May 14, 2008

The Pascetta twins led Cresskill to a 5-0 win over Leonia.

Elizabeth struck out 15 batters and yielded only three hits. Katherine had three hits, scored twice and knocked in a run.

"I am very honored to be one of the two freshman starting and playing," said Katherine. "Today I was the fourth batter. To do that was exciting and to go three-for-three was fun."

Katherine led off the second with a single to left, moved to second on a bunt by catcher Amber McAndrews and scored when Elizabeth was safe on an error.

The Cougars tacked on two more runs in the third. Patricia Callahan blasted a one-out double to right and scored when Floriana Borova singled. Borova scored on Katherine Pascetta’s second hit.

Meanwhile Elizabeth Pascetta was sailing along with a one-hitter. She struck out the first seven batters she faced and struck out the side in the fourth inning.

"It was fun," said Elizabeth Pascetta. "I had to make sure I focused. Every pitch is a new pitch. You have to make sure you give your best with each one. I did as well as I possibly could "

"We had great pitching today," said Cresskill coach Mike Doto. "Elizabeth was lights out. She mowed down 15 girls. When you get a performance like that you’d better win the game. We came through with the bats. It was a nice game."

The Cougars have been also utilizing sophomore left fielder Jaime Conrad to pitch this season. Conrad was on the mound the first time they played Leonia, a 3-2 win.

"Jamie pitched the first game but I was in the outfield so I knew how they hit," said Elizabeth Pascetta. "They hit a lot to the outfield, so I knew I had to give them high pitches because they swing low and pop the ball up. That was my strategy."

The strategy worked as the Lions only had two ground ball outs – both in the seventh inning.

Cresskill added single runs in the fifth and sixth. Patricia Clark scored on a throwing error in the fifth and Katherine Pascetta came around to score on a single by Virginia Fischer in the sixth.

"Lately we have been doing OK with small ball," said Doto. "Getting runners on, moving them over then coming up with the big hit to score the runs. We did that at Park Ridge and New Milford a week or two ago and then again today."

The Cougars are a nice mix of underclassman and seniors, who seem to get along with each other. In addition to the freshman twins, sophomores Borova, Carly Cerone, Clark and Conrad are in the starting lineup. And right fielder Fischer is only a junior.

"Last year we had an all-senior infield," said Doto "The other four girls were playing in the outfield or in other positions. When the seniors graduated we had to make the move.

"I have a lot of confidence in these girls. They play beyond their age. They are sophomores but they play like they have been playing for four or five years. So I have a lot of confidence in them in them coming through."

Callahan, Kaitlyn Oldewurtel and team captain Amber McAndrews provide the senior leadership.

"The senior leadership with catcher Amber McAndrews is key," said Doto. "You need to be a leader as a catcher. Her being here in the last two years when we were 2 and 40 really helps to keep the girls grounded.

"We have tons of confidence and are playing well. Hopefully we will keep it going."

"Captain Amber is very helpful guiding us," said Katherine Pascetta. "There is really no age difference. We are all just friends doing things together. There is no click."

Many of the Cougar players successfully compete in other sports. Borova and Cerone were members of the North 1 Group 1 Section champs in basketball.

"They have a winning attitude that carries over here," said Doto. "They expect to win. They turned the soccer program around. Patricia Clark. Flo (Borova) and the Pascetta sisters play soccer.

"They have never played on a 2-40 team. They are used to winning."

The Cougars can only hope that it lasts.

"It has been a great experience for me," said Doto. "The girls are outstanding and fun to work with. They are athletes. They know how to play the game. They work hard and come ready to go."

"We’re doing really well this year," said Elizabeth Pascetta. "It’s a record for Cresskill softball. It’s a big year for us and we are having fun.

"It’s an experience being up here. I am having such a good time up here."