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Friday, May 10, 2013

T H E D A I LY J O U R N A L

STARTING NINE
Sacred Heart High Schools Samantha Caterina has been a three-year starter at second base for the defending Non-Public B state champion Lions. The senior has consistently raised her batting average over her career and isnt afraid to get her uniform dirty when a diving stop in the infield is needed. Caterina recently took some time to talk about Sacred Heart and some of her favorite things.

Question 1) What is your best memory of last years run to the Non-Public B state title? A: Pretty much the closeness of the team. It was just so much fun playing with everybody and its something Ill never forget. 2) With the news of Sacred Heart closing, how has the adversity brought the team together? A: We know its our last year and we just have to play until the end. We want another (state title).

3) What is your favorite restaurant and what is the best item to get there? A: Sakura in Hammonton. I always get the chicken and shrimp. 4) Game-winning hit or game-saving catch, which is better? A: Game-saving catch. 5) If they played a song when you came up to the plate, what would it be? A: Pour it Up by Rhianna.

6) What is your favorite movie? A: The Guardian. 7) What is your favorite subject in school? A: Accounting. Its pretty easy. 8) What is your favorite thing to do during the summer? A: Go to the beach. 9) Where is your favorite beach? A: Ocean City.

SAMANTHA CATERINA
Sacred Heart Senior Second base

JUST LIKE MOM

Softball a key part of mother-daughter bonds in some families
By Tom McGurk
tmcgurk@thedailyjournal.com

AREA LEADERS
Batting Average Jenna Montana, Bridgeton ...............571 Janna Gaburo, Schalick ....................569 Lindsey Gaines, Cumberland ............538 Corie Collins, Millville ......................520 Jodi Cook, Cumberland ....................510 Kodi Pollock, Cumberland ................479 Becca Collins, Buena........................473 Kylee Barton, Schalick ......................471 Janessa Rios, Buena.........................467 Gabby Castellini, Sacred Heart..........461 Stephanie Walsh, Buena ..................457 Kylie Finley, Vineland .......................432 Casey Derella, Millville .....................431 Courtney Miller, Schalick ..................431 Khyasia Floyd, Bridgeton..................429 Carly Linus, Buena ...........................422 Trista Mokienko, Delsea....................419 Brigitte Garvey, Vineland..................413 Hits Gabby Castellini, Sacred Heart ...........35 Janna Gaburo, Schalick......................33 Danielle Lugo, Sacred Heart ...............30 Casey Derella, Millville.......................28 Lindsey Gaines, Cumberland ..............28 Janessa Rios, Buena...........................28 Samantha Caterina, Sacred Heart ......27 Carly Linus, Buena .............................27 Kaila Smith, Sacred Heart ..................27 Becca Collins, Millville .......................26 Corie Collins, Millville ........................26 Jodi Cook, Cumberland......................26 Natalie Giannascoli, Buena ................25 Ashley Surran, Buena.........................25 Runs Danielle Lugo, Sacred Heart ...............32 Gabby Castellini, Sacred Heart ...........29 Janessa Rios, Buena...........................29 Carly Linus, Buena .............................28 Jenna Montana, Bridgeton.................28 Samantha Caterina, Sacred Heart ......25 Sam Fiocchi, Buena ............................24 Janna Gaburo, Schalick......................24 Kaila Smith, Sacred Heart ..................24 Jodi Cook, Cumberland......................23 Stephanie Walsh, Buena ....................23 Lindsay Dwyer, Sacred Heart..............22 Natalie Giannascoli, Buena ................22 Emily Pettit, Cumberland ...................22 Ashley Surran, Buena.........................22 Home runs Casey Derella, Millville.........................5 Julia Voluntad, Delsea..........................5 Brigitte Garvey, Vineland .....................3 Jackie Martin, Cumberland ..................3 Rachel Rivera, Millville.........................3 Gabby Castellini, Sacred Heart .............2 Kaila Smith, Sacred Heart ....................2 RBIs Lindsey Gaines, Cumberland ..............37 Kaila Smith, Sacred Heart ..................29 Janessa Rios, Buena...........................24 Danielle Lugo, Sacred Heart ...............23 Becca Collins, Buena..........................22 Carly Linus, Buena .............................22 Gabby Castellini, Sacred Heart ...........21 Samantha Caterina, Sacred Heart.......21 Ashley Surran, Buena .........................21 Natalie Giannascoli, Buena ................20 SBs Jenna Montana, Bridgeton .................11 Gabby Castellini, Sacred Heart .............7 Emily Pettit, Cumberland .....................7 Janessa Rios, Buena.............................7 Danielle Lugo, Sacred Heart .................6 Kodi Pollock, Cumberland ....................6 Brittany Rivera, Millville.......................6 Pitching Wins Rosie LaGrotta, Sacred Heart..............15 Shayla Loud, Cumberland ...................11 Demi Murray, Vineland ......................10 Janna Gaburo, Schalick........................9 Cassidy Gorgo, Millville .......................9 Sam Monfredo, Buena .........................8 Jenna Montana, Bridgeton...................8 Sam Fiocchi, Buena ..............................7 Julia Voluntad, Delsea..........................7 ERA Sam Fiocchi, Buena .........................0.63 Julia Voluntad, Delsea .....................1.26 Rosie LaGrotta, Sacred Heart...........1.63 Shayla Loud, Cumberland ................1.71 Demi Murray, Vineland....................1.86 Cassidy Gorgo, Milville ....................2.11 Jenna Montana, Bridgeton..............2.70 Strikeouts Julia Voluntad, Delsea........................97 Sam Fiocchi, Buena ............................97 Demi Murray, Vineland ......................86 Cassidy Gorgo, Millville......................84 Jenna Montana, Bridgeton.................73 Janna Gaburo, Schalick......................69 Rosie LaGrotta, Sacred Heart .............66 Shayla Loud, Cumberland ..................52 *Stats compiled by coaches through Wednesday; for a complete list go to our website at thedailyjournal.com/playmakers

Valerie Castellini knows exactly where shell spend Mothers Day this weekend. Celebrating her special day hasnt changed over the years and neither has the venue. Were usually at a ballfield, she said with a laugh after watching her daughter, Gabby, play in a recent game for Sacred Heart High School. With a schedule clogged with scholastic games during the week and many weekends booked with tournaments for travel-ball teams and plenty of practices in between, not to mention the rides to and from, softball is a daily routine during the spring and summer for some families. And for a softball mom, theres no better diamond. Before all the uniforms are scrubbed free of nasty grass stains and another late-night dinner has been cooked, softball moms get the true gift of watching their daughters play the sport they love. Its absolutely the best, said Buena mom April Fiocchi, whos daughter Sam is a sophomore pitcher/infielder for the Chiefs. Its just so much fun to watch her play, see the improvement from year to year and see how much joy she gets out of the playing the game. Over the course of seven innings, moms will learn if they will get to join in the celebration of a victory or be the one to provide comfort after a loss. Mom is always the one that I take everything out on whether its good or bad, Gabby Castellini said. Shes always there for me. While the Hollywood movies often portray fathers and sons bonding over baseball, mothers and daughters can also

experience the same bond that is strengthened with a simple toss back and forth. Weve always had catches, its probably one of the things Ill always remember, Sam Fiocchi said. Ive always looked up to my mom for lots of reasons and softball was definitely one of them. I really had no idea what I was doing when I first started playing when I was nine. She helped get me started and was always there for me. For players like Castellini and Fiocchi, its extra special for their mothers since they are following in their moms footsteps on the softball field. April Fiocchi, formerly April Ritchey, was a star second baseman on Buenas last sectional championship squad in 1990. I have so many fond memories from that time, April said. Playing for Coach (Pam) Pickett and the bond that we had with our teammates was something very special. Valerie Castellini, formerly Valerie Reim, played first base for Delsea and helped guide the team to the state championship game in 1987. Last year, the squad

was inducted into the schools Sports Hall of Fame. It was a great season, but we just couldnt win that last game, Valerie said. It was nice to see everyone from that team last year, and it was the night before (Sacred Heart) went to the state finals last year. Softball moms like Fiocchi and Castellini can dish out some motherly advice that carries some extra meaning since they played the game. I just want her to have fun, but also I wanted to teach her that shell get whatever she wants out of the sport that she puts into it, April said. She has that drive to get better. Shes not afraid of constructive criticism. Shell listen, takes it in and tries to build on it. Thats all a part of learning. Sam certainly listens, especially when theres a plate of her moms pasta and homemade sauce in front of her. Its the best, she said. So for all those seamheads out there, dont forget to give Mom a special highfive in appreciation for all she does.

Sacred Hearts Gabby Castellini (left), with her mom Valerie, as well as Buenas Sam Fiocchi, next to her mom April, are excelling at softball like their mothers did. STAFF
PHOTO/CODY GLENN.

LOCAL POLL
Super Six 1. Sacred Heart (20-3) The Lions surpassed the 20-win mark for the fifth consecutive season; locked up a divisional title on Wednesday. 2. Buena (16-4) The Chiefs had their eight-game winning streak snapped by Sacred Heart on Wednesday; four losses are by a combined seven runs. 3. Vineland (10-4) The Fighting Clan are well rested; the team had played one game in May before Thursdays showdown at Millville. 4. Cumberland (12-3) The Colts have rattled off seven wins in a row. 5. Millville (10-6) The Thunderbolts are 6-2 in their last eight games; could be an upset special in the upcoming Group IV South playoffs. 6. Delsea (8-6) The Crusaders last three losses are by a combined five runs all to divisional rivals. *Records through Wednesday.

MEAN 15
1. Washington Twp ......................21-2 2. Haddon Heights .......................16-2 3. GCIT .............................................14-4 4. Sacred Heart..............................20-3 5. Shawnee .....................................15-8 6. Eastern ........................................19-7 7. Buena ..........................................16-4 8. Camden Catholic ......................17-6 9. St. Joseph ...................................13-3 10. Vineland ..................................10-4 11. Florence ....................................14-0 12. Hammonton ...........................12-7 13. Gloucester ...............................16-4 14. Cumberland ............................12-3 15. Millville......................................10-6
*Records through Wednesday

Millvilles Corie Collins (left) is congratulated by teammate Katie Volov during Mondays game against Sacred Heart. STAFF PHOTO/CODY GLENN