Mount Softball Advances To Semifinals In Essex County Tournament

Mount St. Dominic Softball (21-1) is making waves in the Essex County Tournament, showcasing their prowess on the field. In the Quarterfinals on May 11th, the team faced Glen Ridge, delivering a stellar performance. Pitcher Ava Kelshaw ‘27 led the charge with 15 strikeouts, allowing only three hits and two walks in six innings, securing a convincing 9-2 victory, their 19th straight win. Mount St. Dominic's strong showing sets them up for a promising Semifinal game vs the winner of Columbia at Caldwell. The Semifinal will be played at Ivy Hill Park on Friday, May 17th at 7 pm.

In games leading to the quarterfinals, the team continued to impress. In their “Top 5 Showdown” against #4 Red Bank Catholic on May 9th, Mount St. Dominic emerged victorious with a 3-0 shutout win, with Kelshaw delivering an outstanding pitching performance. Oliva Bibbo ‘24 played a tremendous game as well, going 2-3 at the plate with 1 run scored and 2 stolen bases. She also had a few incredible plays in the outfield, including a diving catch to save a run! Against Indian Hills on May 7th, they secured a commanding 12-1 victory, with two 3-3 days at the dish from Jill Cianfrocca ‘26 and Bibbo, a Home Run and 4 RBI’s from Senior Gianna Stern, and yet another win from Freshman Pitcher Kelshaw. In their May 6th game against Glen Ridge, Freshman Isabella Iannitelli shined at the plate, driving in six runs highlighted by a Grand Slam, propelling Mount to a 12-1 victory. With a record of 21-1 overall and 11-0 in the SEC - American division, Mount St. Dominic's softball team is showcasing their dominance this season.

Here’s how the other teams fared:

Track:

Mount Track and Field athletes excelled at the Super Essex Conference Championships on Friday, May 10th. Competing in the SEC Colonial Division Championships, the team secured an impressive 3rd place overall, accumulating 90 points. Standout performances included Anna Caccicarne's 1st place in both the javelin and shot put, Riley Merklinger's 1st place in the 200m, and Lorelei Middleton's 1st place in the 400m. The 4x400 relay team also clinched 1st place. These achievements highlight Mount's commitment to excellence in Track and Field.

Lacrosse:

Mount St. Dominic's Girls Lacrosse team displayed determination in their recent game against Columbia, despite a 16-10 loss. Erin Murphy led the scoring with four goals, while Jayden DeSilva added two goals and an assist. Goalie Gabby Lipari made 13 saves, showcasing her skill in goal. Despite the loss, Mount St. Dominic's players showed resilience and sportsmanship, setting the stage for future successes.

In Other News:

Last week, Anna Cacciacarne '24 received the Essex County Athletic Directors Scholar Athlete Award.