Mount Softball team begins run for 12th county championship

By Edward Kensik

The Mount St. Dominic Academy softball team got off on the right foot in what the program hopes will be a dozen county championships when the smoke clears in less than two weeks.

The third-seeded Lions took care of 14th-seeded Newark Academy, 11-1, on Saturday in the Essex County Tournament first round. Mount St. Dominic hosts sixth-seeded West Essex on May 10 in the ECT quarterfinals. The Lions have already defeated the Knights twice this season, 13-1 (April 15) and 9-5 (April 25).

In the victory over Newark Academy, freshman pitcher Kaylan Bartolozzi threw a two-hitter and only had three strikeouts. Mount St. Dominic sophomore shortstop Bella Iannitelli went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles, two RBI and two runs scored. Bartolozzi also went 2-for-3 with two runs scored in the victory.

In what might be a preview of the ECT final, Mount St. Dominic dropped a 10-9 decision at Cedar Grove in a regular season Super Essex Conference American Division contest. With the defeat, the Lions lost both contests to the Panthers this season. Mount St. Dominic also lost to Cedar Grove, 13-5, on April 9. The Lions might get another shot at the top-seeded Panthers in the ECT title contest.

In the most recent loss to the Panthers, the Mount St. Dominic squad almost came back in the seventh inning. Down 10-8, Mount St. Dominic scored a run in the top of the seventh, but could not get closer. Both Lions junior Jillian Cianfrocca and senior Carlee Paez smacked home runs each and collected three RBI each in the high scoring game.

Track and Field

The track and field team battled in the top heavy Super Essex Conference Colonial Division and came away with a third place finish in the team standings out of 11 on Saturday, May 3 at Schools Stadium in Newark.

Mount St. Dominic finished with 56 points, outscoring fourth place Caldwell who had 45 points. Montclair Kimberley and Verona came in first and second with 117 and 103 points respectively.

"I was extremely happy with our team performance at the SEC League Championships," said head coach Robert Osieja. "We are a small school and I thought we surpassed our expectations. Our coaching staff did an outstanding job of getting the girls ready for the meet."

Lions sophomore Ciaran Fernandez continues to dominate the javelin with first place in the event and a toss of 113-feet-10-inches which beat out her teammate senior Mackenzie Williamson who threw for 98-feet-5.

"She (Fernandez) had an incredible series of throws," said Osieja about Fernandez. "The weather was conducive for throwing, along with good lead up practices."

Also Senior Lorelei Middleton scored in three events. Lorelei finished second in the 400 meter dash in a time of 57.75 and the 800 meter run in a time of 2:30. She finally finished the day as part of Mount St. Dominic's 1600-meter relay team that finished fourth (4:30.08). Lorelei is committed to run at Haverford College (PA). The other members of the relay team were junior Allie Loch, junior Madison Cronin and freshman Gia McArdle.

Along with Fernandez senior Natalia Feliz took home gold with a first place in the discus with a personal best throw of 96-feet-10. Feliz will be moving on to Montclair State University for track.

In addition to being part of the 1600 relay, Loch checked in with her personal best in the 400 meters with a time of 1:03.92.

The Lions will be competing in the Essex County Championships on Friday, May 9, also at Schools Stadium in Newark.

Lacrosse

The school's lacrosse team continues to struggle with a young team against a difficult schedule.

Mount St. Dominic was 0-8, but seven of eight of the opponents were .500 or better.

The 2025 squad includes a large group of underclassmen including five freshmen who see time on the field. "All of the freshmen on the team are making an impact," said head coach Nick Rabiecki. "I think as a group they have had a tremendous impact."

One of the few seniors on the 2025 team is Jayden DeSilva who leads the Lions with 24 goals and seven assists. "Jayden is a skilled player and a great leader as one of our captains," said Rabiecki. "I think, however, what I like best about her is her attitude, she never quits and never eases up. She gives everything she has no matter what the score or situation."

And one of the top underclassmen on the team is sophomore Johnna Fio Rito who was second on the team in scoring with 10 goals.

"Johnna is in many ways a similar player to Jayden, she is tough, skilled and determined," said Rabiecki. "Her ambition is to attend West Point, I’m not sure there is much more you can say about a young person than that."