Klein, Caruso Lead Dodgers Softball to Victory

The Madison High School softball team controlled its Wednesday afternoon game against the Hanover Park Hornets from beginning to end, winning 9-5. The Hornets were held scoreless until the bottom of the fifth, when four made it home safely, but it was not enough for Hanover Park to come back.

"I'm really happy," said Madison catcher Juliana Vezza. "I think we can get a winning streak going."

The Dodgers started scoring early, with Emily Klein scoring on an RBI single from Nikki Caruso. In the second inning, the Dodgers outdid themselves and had the best inning they have had yet this season, scoring seven runs. First Kelli Scotti got on base, then Rosalyn Blake walked, and Nicole Iannarone singled.

With the bases loaded for Emily Klein, she hit a single, scoring two. Vezza followed up with an RBI single of her own, then there was an RBI double from Caruso, an RBI single from Mackenzie Ellis, and a single from Victoria Ellis that scored two more Dodgers, bringing the score to 8-0, where it remained until the fifth.

"We thought it would be closer," Klein said.

But the Hornets did not give up facing an eight run deficit, and fought back hard until the end. They cut the Madison lead in half in the fifth, and stopped allowing the Dodgers to score until Emily Klein hit a double, was advanced on a fly ball from Vezza, and scored on a grounder from Caruso in the sixth.

"I was swinging better and better with each at-bat," said Klein. "The pitch came right down the middle… I saw it hit off the bat and I knew it was going somewhere."

In the bottom of the seventh the Hornets started to rally again, and loaded the bases with only one out. Caruso recorded the second out on a fielder's choice, but Hanover Park scored on the play. With two outs, Iannarone, pitching for Madison, ended the game swiftly with her third strikeout of the day.

"We're back on our winning ways," said Madison coach Hector Martinez. "We hit the ball, got on top early, only made one error in the whole game, and only made one mental mistake."

The Hornets have not yet won a game this year. This is the Dodgers second win of the season, with both coming on away games.

"Despite their record, this is always a good team… you never know with Hanover Park," Martinez said.

The Dodgers will make the trip north to Walkill Valley Regional High School on Saturday morning for an 11 a.m. game. Walkill Valley is 1-3 this season, with one loss coming to Kittatinny, 6-1. When Madison faced Kittatinny on April 1 to open the season, they lost by only one run.

Highlights

Emily Klein – 3 for 4, double, 2 RBI, 3 runs scored

Juliana Vezza – 2 for 4, RBI, 1 run scored

Nikki Caruso – 3 for 4, double, 3 RBI, 1 run scored

Mackenzie Ellis – 1 for 4, RBI, 1 run scored

Victoria Ellis – 1 for 4, 2 RBI

Rosalyn Blake – 1 for 1, walk, 1 run scored