Caruso's Triple Leads Dodgers Softball to Victory

The game was tied at the bottom of the sixth and Juliana Vezza had just gotten on base with a single and advanced to second on an error when Nikki Caruso came to the plate for the Madison High School softball team. Caruso has led the Dodgers in hitting all season, but in her first two at-bats against the Morris Catholic Crusaders she walked.

Then, in her third at-bat she hit a triple, scoring Vezza for the go-ahead run. It was her 30th hit of the season and one of the most important hits for the Dodgers this year – the first time they faced the Crusaders they had lost in a close game, 8-6, but on Wednesday they overcame them, 2-1.

"She was walking me the whole game, so I didn't expect her to pitch to me," said Caruso. "I was looking for anything to get the bat on."

Caruso's hit was one of three hits on the day for Madison, along with Vezza's single and Nicole Iannarone's double to start off the game. Madison's first run came in the fifth inning, when Kelli Scotti got on second from an error, then Rosalyn Blake laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Scotti to third. Finally, on a passed ball Scotti made her way home, just beating the tag to tie the game.

"I heard the coach yell run, and I did not hesitate," said Scotti.

Madison's defense kept the Dodgers in the game, racking up three double plays, as well as a number of impressive stops from players all over the field.

Both Mackenzie and Tori Ellis controlled the defensive effort throughout the game, with Mackenzie playing a role in all three of Madison's double plays – the first came in the top of the second, when Caruso threw out a runner at first on a ground ball, then Mackenzie charged at the runner who had stumbled between second and third bases, throwing the ball to Blake at third who made the tag to end the inning.

Madison's second double play came in the top of the third, this time with Tori Ellis fielding a ground ball, tagging the runner en route to second base and turning to throw the ball to Mackenzie at first, and again the inning was ended. In the top of the fourth, Mackenzie caught a line-drive that the runner on first base must have misjudged, because she had tried to make her way to second without tagging up, but Mackenzie beat her back to first.

Tori Ellis also caught a ball in shallow right field, running back from second base to make the grab, as well as recorded the last two outs of the game when the Dodgers were holding on to their slim 2-1 lead.

"I think Tori Ellis could be called the rookie of the year," said coach Hector Martinez. "She is also our only freshman starter."

Much of the 2010 Dodgers softball team is young, and with only a few seniors graduating this year, most of the team will be back next season.

"We've all been playing together since 7th grade," said Caruso, a junior, "So our camaraderie, chemistry, and experience might make it a great year next year."

With the win over the Crusaders, the Dodgers have broken their five game losing streak and improve to 6-11.

"This year was a rebuilding year," said Martinez.

Madison faces Hanover Park at home on Thursday and will try to defeat the Hornets for the second time this season at 4 p.m. In their first game Madison won, 9-5.