Dodgers Softball Shut Out in Parsipanny

Dodgers softball has had a rough week, and with their 8-0 loss to the Parsipanny Red Hawks on Friday Madison has lost three straight, slipping from 5-6 after their victory against Dover to 5-9.

The only Dodgers to hit Red Hawks' pitcher Brittany Serrao were Nikki Caruso and Kelli Scotti with singles, and Nicole Iannarone, who sent one ball soaring over the left fielder's head for a double.

"It went off the bat easily, but I didn't expect it to go that far," said Iannarone, who was praised for her efforts after the game by coach Hector Martinez.

Iannarone has been pitching for the Dodgers nearly the entire season, despite starting the year as an out-fielder.

"Nicole did great today with the double," said Martinez. "And her attitude, just coming out to pitch…she really does care about the game."

Serrao dominated on the mount for Parsipanny, pitching all seven innings for the shut-out victory.

"I had good control of the ball," said Serrao. "I was hitting the right spots, and felt really good today, even though it was really hot."

Serrao also proved to be quite the offensive weapon for the Red Hawks, hitting triples in both the second and third innings, scoring one run and earning one RBI.

"I've been hitting well lately, and on both the second I hit the ball I knew it was going far, so I hustled around as fast as I could," Serrao said.

Although the Dodgers struggled defensively as well as offensively against Parsipanny, a few of Madison's players made some skillful plays, with Caruso scooping up the ball effortlessly at shortstop, with Rosalyn Blake making one catch on the run, almost stumbling, and with Tori Ellis stopping a couple of hard hit grounders to second.

"I thought I was playing pretty well," said Ellis.

Parsipanny is now 10-4, and the first time the Dodgers faced them, at home, Madison fell 12-5. After dropping from 5-6 to 5-9, Madison will most likely not be given a spot in the state tournament, but they still have plenty of games left this season.

Their next is at home against West Morris Central High School, first pitch at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 1.