Brookdale Softball Claims Third-Consecutive Region XIX Title; Cassie Varvaro Named Tournament MVP

Sewell, NJ- Region XIX tournament MVP Cassie Varvaro went four-for-five with three runs scored and two stolen bases en route to leading second-seeded Brookdale Community College to a 9-1 and 3-2 sweep of No. 3 Ocean County College in the Region XIX championship round.  The Blues, victors of the best-of-three series, have won their third-straight Region title and will now travel to Rochester, MN for the NJCAA National tournament set to begin on May 14.

In game one, freshman pitcher Victoria Vogt tossed a complete-game, one-run effort and was supported by the bats of Varvaro, freshman second baseman Taylor Sheridan and sophomore catcher Morgan T. Schweitzer who each collected at least two hits and scored two runs. Sophomore pitcher Courtney Semkewyc tacked on a base-clearing double in the fourth inning to put the Blues up over the eight-run mercy rule and end the game after five innings of play.

In the second game, a 3-2 nailbiter, the Blues scored two runs in the first, as freshman first baseman Caroline Abin picked up a sac fly RBI to score freshman outfielder Amanda Pringle, while Varvaro scored on a an error. Sophomore outfielder Alexandra Clayton's RBI double scored Abin to tack on an insurance run for sophomore pitcher Kaitlyn Kretzmer who picked up the complete game win.

Head coach Bo Scannapieco, who has reached 988 career wins, will be seeking his fourth National title.