South Jersey Softball:
Pennsauken Splits Doubleheader But Wins Series

Sunday, July 11, 1999

By Bob Beatrice
SJSports Special Correspondent

On Sunday July 11, Stratford headed to Pennsauken to continue the best of 3 playoff series in the SJGSA Junior American Division. Pennsauken led the series 1-0, after defeating Stratford in the opening game on Wednesday.

Stratford struck first with 5 runs in the second inning. Pennsauken scored 3 in the bottom half, the key hits were an RBI double by Krystal Wilhelm and an RBI triple by Krissy Rup. Stratford scored 3 more in the 3rd to take an 8-3 lead. Pennsauken didn't score again until the 5th, pushing across 4 more runs, 2 on Annie Bilinsky's home run. Stratford put the game away with 2 runs in the 6th and 5 in the seventh. Pennsauken managed 2 in the bottom of the seventh to cut the final to 15-9. Jess McFerren pitched a complete game for Stratford, striking out 5 and allowing 9 hits.

Stratford's win forced game 3. After a 45 minute break, the 2 teams were back at it. Stratford scored 2 in the first and Pennsauken added 1. It remained 2-1 until the 4th when Pennsauken scored 4 on RBI singles from Christina Tofani, Randi Beatrice and Stephanie Sylvia. Stratford scored 3 in the 5th to tie it at 5-5. In the 6th, Annie Bilinsky started with a single and scored on Vanna Wortham's triple. She scored on the next pitch as Tofani ripped her own triple. Pennsauken added another run in the 6th when Jessica Martino hit a single, stole second and scored on a single by Keich. The final was 8-6. Stephanie Sylvia pitched a complete game for the win. She allowed only 5 hits and struck out 9.

Pennsauken won the series 2-1 and will face Haddon Twp. for the SJGSA Junior American Division Championship. The first game will be Thursday at Hadddon Twp. with game two on Friday at Pennsauken.