Local teams producing positive early-season results on the field
BY MIKE WHITE Staff Writer
Abbey Houston was nothing short of brilliant as the New Egypt High School softball team rolled to a 3-0 shutout victory over Manchester Monday afternoon in an Ocean County Tournament first-round game.

Houston overpowered the Manchester lineup, striking out 12 batters and allowing just one hit as the Lady Warriors, seeded third, improved to a gaudy 11-1 on the season.

"She is a talented player," New Egypt coach Carolyn Eckert said. "She has good stuff and excellent control."

New Egypt's offenses totaled seven hits as it took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Thatwould be all the scoringHoustonwould need. TheWarriors added an insurance run in the sixth for the final margin of victory.

New Egypt meets the winner of the Brick Memorial-Monsignor Donovan game in the quarterfinals.

Lions win seventh game

The Jackson Liberty softball squad needed extra innings to knock off Red Bank in a thrilling nondivisional gameMonday.

With the score knotted at 1-1, Liberty's Jessica Oliveira smacked a run-scoring double to lead the Lady Lions to the 2-1 victory. Ashley Esteves scored the gamewining run for Liberty, which improved to 7-3 on the season.

The pitching was outstanding for both teams. Lions hurler Taylor Cwalinski struck out 15 batters, while Red Bank's Taylor Snyder registered 13.

Jax baseball continues to roll

Jackson raised its record to 7-2 overall Monday with an 11-7 win over Brick Memorial in a Shore Conference A South game. The Jags are now 6-2 in a South.

Jackson has now won four consecutive games and seven of its last eight. The Jags fell behind 2-0 before rallying for seven runs in the bottom of the first inning to break the game open.

The Jags had a number of key blows in the opening frame, including a two-run double by Mark Asta, a two-run single by Kevin Needham, and a run-scoring single by Edgar Jennings.

Jackson pounded out a total of 13 hits, led by Needham, who finished 3 for 4. Ryan Guarino had a pair of hits and scored three runs.

SeniorWillWardell tossed four innings to pick up the win.

New Egypt boys and Liberty girls' lax win

Both New Egypt and Jackson came out on top Monday afternoon. The Warriors posted an 11-6 win over Pope Paul VI, while Liberty was a 15-4 winner overManchester.

Shane Scherholz scored four times and added two assists, while teammate Tommy Carr pitched in with a hat trick as New Egypt improved to 4-6 overall.

"We needed to play a game like this," New Egypt coach Jay Corby said. "We have been struggling a little bit in the early going. It was nice to see our offense get untracked and put up a bunch of goals. Hopefully, this is the game that will jumpstart us for the duration of the season."

For the Lady Lions, who are now 6-1, Sam Savona and Sam Citron each scored the hat trick. Kristie Goetz registered two goals and one assist. Goalkeeper Ashley Gruning made 11 saves.