HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (April 18, 2009) – The Centenary softball team’s (21-8, 13-3 CSAC) pitching staff proved to be too much for Rosemont (0-19, 0-14 CSAC), as the Lady Cyclones defeated the Ramblers 12-0 and 15-0, Saturday at Tannery Field. Centenary sophomore Sarah Olsen (Lake Hopatcong, N.J./Pope John) had a career day, tossing a one-hitter with 11 strikeouts in five innings while facing 16 batters, one below the minimum. Game two saw much of the same as sophomore Kristin Durborow (Manahwkin, N.J./Southern Regional) threw a no-hitter, facing 19 batters and striking out 12 while earning her fifth win of the season. 

In game one Olsen established her command early, striking out five of the first six batters. She carried a no-hitter into the fifth until Adrian Demchenko singled to lead off the inning. Her only other base runner was a walk to Ashley Conti in the fourth.

The Lady Cyclone bats picked up where they left off from yesterday’s matchup with Marywood. In the bottom of the first inning Centenary spotted their pitcher seven runs as Rosemont pitcher Heather Daneker struggled with her control.  After Centenary loaded the bases, Olsen drew a walk to force home senior Jolyn Veres (Denville, N.J./Morris Knolls). Freshman Danielle Dundas (Bayonne, N.J./Holy Family) then doubled to center to score Ali Knapp (Belle Mead, N.J./Montgomery) and Angelica Ruiz (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield).  Later in the same inning senior Jenna Wendolowski (Jersey City, N.J./Holy Family Academy) and Ruiz had a pair two-RBI hits to centerfield to cap off the rally.

In game two the Lady Cyclones blew the game open with a six run third inning. The two out rally started when Durborow drew a walk. After singles from Veres and Lorena Papa (Hackettstown, N.J./Hackettstown), Ruiz stepped up and hit a shot over the centerfielder’s head to score two runs. Centenary kept the bases loaded until the inning ended.  Dundas and Stephanie Bickel (Brick, N.J./Manasquan) added RBI singles before the Ramblers retired Durborow for the final out.

In an effort to raise awareness for breast cancer and raise money for the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund™, the Lady Cyclones sold t-shirts and accepted donations throughout the afternoon. Both teams wore the t-shirts during pre-game warm-ups in support of “Think Pink” Day. 

Centenary travels to Philadelphia Biblical on Tuesday for a double-header with the Crimson Eagles at 3:00 p.m. The Lady Cyclones return home on Friday for a double header with Gwynedd-Mercy, also at 3:00 p.m.

Game 1                                  Game 2

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (April 17, 2009) – The Centenary softball team (19-8, 11-3 CSAC) took one of two against Marywood (15-9, 12-4 CSAC) this afternoon to keep ahead of the Pacers by one game in the Colonial States Athletic Conference standings. The Lady Cyclones won the first game 5-2 behind the bat of freshman Caitlin Veverka (Bayonne, N.J./Holy Family Academy), who hit her first career home run over the left field wall in the bottom of the second. Centenary dropped game two 3-0 after a strong pitching performance from Marywood freshman Kaitlyn Brennan.

“I am disappointed that we were not able to win both games but Marywood is a good defensive team,” said head coach Kim Broking. “They caught a lot of balls in the second game that were finding the holes in the first game. But we have to get right back at it against Rosemont on Saturday, so that is what we are concentrating on.”

In game one the Lady Cyclones came out of the gate swinging. After junior Lorena Papa (Hackettstown, N.J./Hackettstown) started the inning with a walk and stole second, sophomore Ali Knapp (Belle Mead, N.J./Montgomery) put Centenary on the board with a single to score Papa. The next batter, Megan Dunne (Frenchtown, N.J./Delaware Valley Regional), ripped a double moving Knapp to third. Sophomore pitcher Sarah Olsen (Lake Hopatcong, N.J./Pope John XXIII) helped herself out with a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Knapp.

The Lady Cyclones would score three more times to put the game out of reach. In the bottom of the second, Veverka started her terrific day by hitting a solo shot into deep left center field. Then in the fourth inning Centenary tacked on two more runs when Papa singled in Veverka and freshman Angelica Ruiz (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) scored on a sacrifice fly from senior Jolyn Veres (Denville, N.J./Morris Knolls).

Olsen had another solid pitching performance going six innings, allowing five hits and two runs to earn her eighth victory of the season. Knapp came on in the top of the seventh inning, faced four batters and recorded her second save of the game year.

In game two many of the same sharp line drives from the Lady Cyclones’ bats that fell in the first contest found the gloves of the visiting Pacers in the second. For Marywood, Brennan threw a complete game shutout, scattering six hits and striking out one Centenary batter.

After four scoreless innings Marywood pushed home the first two runs of the ball game after a two-out triple from Kim Lope that scored two Pacers which proved to be enough for freshman Brennan who won her sixth game of the spring.

The Lady Cyclones hit the ball well all day, led by Verveka, who went 4-for-5 with an RBI. Dunne finished 3-for-5 and Veres added 2 hits to set the tone for CC.

The Lady Cyclones are home again tomorrow to take on the Ramblers of Rosemont. Join the Lady Cyclones as they “think pink” to help raise awareness for breast cancer. The team will be selling t-shirts with all proceeds going to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund™. Donations will also be gladly accepted.

Game 1                              Game 2

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (April 14, 2009) – The Centenary softball team (14-8, 10-2 CSAC) swept a double-header with Baptist Bible (10-16, 4-10 CSAC), winning 8-0 and 3-2, Tuesday at Tannery Field in Hackettstown, NJ. Junior Megan Dunne (Frenchtown, N.J./Delaware Valley Regional) hit 4-for-6 with three runs and three RBI in the two wins, while sophomore Sarah Olsen (Lake Hopatcong, N.J./Pope John XXIII) went 4-for-6 with one run and one RBI.

“I am glad that we were able to pick up two victories but there is still a lot of softball to be played,” said head coach Kim Broking. “We have put ourselves in good position, but we still have to face conference opponents Marywood, Rosemont, Gwynedd-Mercy and Neumann. They are all good teams and right in the mix of the CSAC playoff push, so we will have to work hard to close out the season.”

Centenary received a pair of complete game performances from Olsen and sophomore Kristin Durborow (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional). In the first game, Olsen allowed only four hits and struck out 10 in six innings of work before the eight-run mercy rule came into effect. Durborow pitched five innings in the second game, striking out four, before the match was called due to weather. Offensively, sophomore Ali Knapp (Belle Mead, N.J./Montgomery) hit 3-for-6 with two runs and one RBI and freshman Angelica Ruiz (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) batted 2-for-6 with one walk, two runs and one RBI.

In the first game, Olsen led off the second inning with a single. Senior Stephanie Bickel (Brick, N.J./Manasquan) and freshman Caitlin Veverka (Bayonne, N.J./Holy Family Academy) moved her to third, and senior Jenna Wendolowski (Jersey City, N.J./Holy Family Academy) brought her home with an RBI single. In the fifth, junior Lorena Papa (Hackettstown, N.J./Hackettstown) singled and was bunted over to second by senior Jolyn Veres (Denville, N.J./Morris Knolls). Ruiz picked up an RBI with a single and then came home on a double by Dunne. After Knapp walked, Bickel tripled to score two and give Centenary a 5-0 lead.

Centenary closed the game in the sixth inning when Papa tripled and came home on a sacrifice fly by Veres. Ruiz singled, Dunne tripled to score Ruiz and then Dunne came home on a Knapp RBI single, giving Centenary the game with the 8-0 advantage.

In the nightcap, Centenary loaded the bases in the second inning and Knapp scored when Veverka walked. In the third, Veres walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored when Dunne doubled to left field. Olsen then brought Dunne home with an RBI double of her own. The Defenders’ Stephanie Kreiser crushed a two-run homer in the fifth inning to bring BBC within one, at 3-2, but the game was called due to weather after five innings, giving Centenary the victory.

The Lady Cyclones have won seven in a row and look to continue their streak on Friday, April 17, with a home double-header against Marywood, starting at 3:00 pm.

Game 1                                  Game 2

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (April 13, 2009) – Five Cyclones received Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) weekly awards for four different sports, the league announced Monday. Men’s lacrosse player Jason Rieg (Chester, N.J./West Morris Central) earned Player of the Week recognition, while baseball’s Jordan Wright (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin East), golf’s Sean Kelley (Roxbury, N.J./Roxbury) and softball’s Angelica Ruiz (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) and Sarah Olsen (Lake Hopatcong, N.J./Pope John XXIII) all were named to their sports’ Honor Roll.

For Ruiz, it marks her second CSAC Honor Roll award in as many weeks. She went 2-for-6 with a walk, two runs and one RBI in Centenary’s two-game sweep of Cedar Crest on April 8. Olsen appeared in both games, getting the win in both contests. She struck out 11 in 7.1 innings and held the Falcons to a .130 batting average (3-for-23).

The Lady Cyclones return to action on Tuesday, April 14, with a home double-header against Baptist Bible, starting at 3:30 p.m.

April 13 CSAC Awards

THINK PINK
On Saturday, April 18, Centenary will “Think Pink” during its home double-header against Rosemont. The team will be selling t-shirts with all proceeds going to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund™. Donations will also be gladly accepted. The double-header is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. Yow, the former NC State women’s basketball coach, passed away on Jan. 24, 2009, after a 22-year battle with breast cancer. For more information on the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund™, log on to www.wbca.org/kayyowwbcacancerfund.asp.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (April 9, 2009) – Centenary softball has announced that its April 18 home game against Rosemont will be “Think Pink Day.” The team will be selling t-shirts with all proceeds going to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund™. Donations will also be gladly accepted. The double-header is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. Yow, the former NC State women’s basketball coach, passed away on Jan. 24, 2009, after a 22-year battle with breast cancer.

“Breast Cancer is the most diagnosed form of cancer among females,” said head coach Kim Broking. “As female athletes, the team wanted to do something to help promote awareness and support earlier detection. The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund™ does tremendous work and we want to help the foundation succeed its goals.”

The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund™ is a charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against women's cancers through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved and unifying people for a common cause.

Yow was a past president and founding member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), and a galvanizing voice for the Association. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, and passed away on January 24, 2009, after facing her third bout with the disease. In her 38 years as a head coach at the college-level, Yow was one of only six Division I head women's basketball mentors to achieve 700 career victories. Yow was also the head coach of the 1988 US Olympic Team that won the gold medal in Seoul.

The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund™ was announced on December 3, 2007, during the Jimmy V Classic. The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund™, in partnership with The V Foundation for Cancer Research, will raise money in the fight against women's cancers. It was appropriate to announce this Fund during the Jimmy V Classic because of the connection between the late Jim Valvano, former North Carolina State head men's basketball coach, and the late Kay Yow, former North Carolina State head women's basketball coach. The Fund was the first women's initiative that the WBCA has chosen in its 28-year history, and is also the newest women's initiative for The V Foundation. 

For more information on the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund™, log on to www.wbca.org/kayyowwbcacancerfund.asp. For more information on the Jimmy V Foundation, log on to www.jimmyv.org.

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ (April 8, 2009) – The Centenary softball team (12-8, 8-2 CSAC) swept a double-header with Cedar Crest (5-13, 4-8 CSAC), winning 2-0 and 4-3, Wednesday in Hackettstown, NJ. After solid pitching performances from Sarah Olsen (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Pope John XXIII) and Ali Knapp (Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery) that led the Lady Cyclones to victory in game one, it was the team’s clutch hitting that got the win in game two.

In game one the pitching duo of Olsen and Knapp proved to be too much for the Falcons as they combined for the three hit shutout. Olsen pitched the first four innings, striking out eight, to earn the win. Knapp came in relief in the fifth to provide a change of pace, keeping Falcon hitters off balance for the rest of the game. She struck out three and walking only one while earning the save.

The Cyclone offense came alive in the third inning when Jolyn Veres (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) doubled and Angelica Ruiz (Bergenfield, NJ/Bergenfield) followed with a walk. After Centenary recorded the second out it was Veres’ turn to make a play. She broke for third and slid in safely on the steal but the throw from catcher Rachel Orlen skipped into left field allowing Ruiz to trot home. The only other run came in the fifth inning off the bat of Knapp when she drove in Veres who reached on a single earlier in the inning.

In the bottom of the eighth inning of game two Megan Dunne (Frenchtown, NJ/Delaware Valley Regional) was placed on second base at the beginning of the frame due to the International Tiebreaker Rule. She was moved over to third base on a sacrifice bunt from Knapp which set the stage for freshman Danielle Dundas (Bayonne, NJ/Holy Family Academy). She slapped a 1-1 fastball to centerfield that was just out of the reach of a diving Sarah Campbell to win the game on a walk off single.

The Cyclones jumped out to an early lead with a two out single from Knapp that scored Ruiz. The Falcons quickly notched the score at one in the top of the third inning on a sacrifice fly from sophomore Amy Stumpff.

In the fifth inning the Falcons drew four walks, pushing in the not only the two go-ahead runs but also Centenary pitcher Kristin Durborow (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional) out of the game. Olsen came in relief and shut the door, leaving three Falcons stranded on base.

Centenary bounced right back in the bottom of the inning chipping away at the two run lead. Senior Jen Wendolowski (Jersey City, NJ/Holy Family Academy) started the rally by doubling down the left field line. After a single and a stolen base by Ruiz, the Lady Cyclones had the go-ahead run at the plate. The Falcons moved their infield in and induced three straight batted balls to the shortstop. On all three plays Falcon shortstop Alyssa Kabat threw home and was only successful in recording an out on the third throw, allowing Centenary to tie the score at three.

The Lady Cyclones’ defense in the top of the eighth helped set the stage for Dundas’ walk-off single. Falcon sophomore Tamera Gruzdis advanced to third on a fielder’s choice and tried to score on a passed ball but Veres quickly scooped up the ball and tagged Gruzdis out on a very close play at the plate.

Centenary was led at the plate by Knapp, Olsen, Ruiz and Veres who each collected two hits on the day. The two wins for the Cyclones puts them alone in second place in the CSAC with a 10-2 conference record.

Centenary comes back from Easter break to host conference opponent Baptist Bible on Tuesday with a twin bill scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

Game 1                                        Game 2

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ (April 6, 2009) – Five student-athletes from three different spring sports received Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) weekly honors, the league announced Monday.

Softball received a pair of Weekly Honor Roll awards for freshman Angelica Ruiz (Bergenfield, NJ/Bergenfield) and sophomore Kristin Durborow (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional), junior Michael Fasano (Hawthorne, NJ/St. Joseph’s Regional) and senior Andrew Koncen (Elizabeth, NJ/Union Catholic) were each named to the Honor Roll for baseball and sophomore Joe Swantkoski (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) was named to the men’s lacrosse Honor Roll.

Ruiz batted .714 (5-for-7) in Centenary’s two-game sweep of Immaculata on March 31. The freshman scored five runs and recorded one double and two RBI while tallying a slugging percentage of .857. Durborow earned a conference weekly award for the second consecutive week by pitching a complete game in the Lady Cyclones 11-1 game-two victory over the Mighty Macs. She struck out six and gave up just the one run while holding her opponents to a .238 (5-for-21) batting average.

Centenary returns to action on Wednesday, April 8, with its first home games of the season. The Lady Cyclones will play a double-header with Mt. St. Mary’s, starting at 3:00 p.m.

4/6/2009 CSAC Weekly Awards

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ (April 2, 2009) – The Centenary softball team will play its home opener on Friday, April 3, in a double-header against Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) foe Cedar Crest. The Lady Cyclones (10-8, 6-2 CSAC) are coming off a two-game sweep of Immaculata on Tuesday. The Falcons (5-9, 4-4 CSAC) last played on March 27, losing both games in a double-header with Neumann.

Centenary has been led by junior Megan Dunne (Frenchtown, NJ/Delaware Valley Regional), who is batting .397 (23-for-58) with 10 runs and eight RBI. Sophomore Ali Knapp (Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery) holds an average of .373 (22-for-59) and leads the team with 17 RBI. Senior Jolyn Veres (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) is hitting .357 (20-for-56) and has knocked in 12 runs. She has hit four doubles, three triples and two home runs, and leads the team with a .643 slugging percentage.

On the mound, sophomore Sarah Olsen (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Pope John XXIII) is 4-4 with a 3.30 ERA while fellow classmate Kristin Durborow (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional) is 5-3 with a 3.59 ERA. The two have combined for nine complete games and a pair of shutouts. Knapp leads the pitching staff with an ERA of 2.84, while Durborow has a team-high 48 strikeouts. The Manahawkin, NJ native was named to the CSAC Weekly Honor Roll after going 2-1 last week with three complete games.

The Falcons have been led by Alyssa Kabat, who is hitting .357 (15-for-42) on the season. She has scored a team-high nine runs, while Allison Holland has knocked in a team-best nine RBI. Holland has started all of Cedar Crest’s games and has an ERA of 3.62, with 87 strikeouts.

IMMACULATA, PA (March 31, 2009) – The Centenary softball team (10-8, 6-2 CSAC) swept a double-header with Immaculata (4-14, 4-6 CSAC), winning 13-5 and 11-1, Tuesday in Immaculata, PA. Freshman Angelica Ruiz (Bergenfield, NJ/Bergenfield) batted 5-for-7 with five runs and two RBI while sophomore Ali Knapp (Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery) also hit 5-for-7 with three runs and five RBI. Both games were called after five innings because of the eight-run mercy rule.

Centenary received a pair of complete game victories from pitchers Sarah Olsen (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Pope John XXIII) and Kristin Durborow (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional). Both pitchers struck out six while limiting Immaculata to a combined .256 (11-for-43). Senior Jolyn Veres (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) finished the two games 2-for-5 with six runs and two RBI, including a two-run home run in the first contest.

In the first game, Centenary jumped ahead early with three runs in the first. Junior Megan Dunne (Frenchtown, NJ/Delaware Valley Regional) and Veres both reached base and came home when Knapp singled. The Belle Mead, NJ native scored on an RBI double by senior Stephanie Bickel (Brick, NJ/Manasquan). The Lady Cyclones tacked on runs in the second, third and fourth and the game was called when they built their lead to eight.

Centenary started the second game the same as the first, this time scoring five runs in the period. After the Lady Cyclones loaded the bases, Veres and Ruiz came home on an error by Immaculata pitcher Missy Fetter. Freshman Danielle Dundas (Bayonne, NJ/Holy Family) hit an RBI single to score Dunne and then Knapp came home on a wild pitch. Olsen then hit an RBI double to score Dundas and give Centenary a 5-0 lead. The Lady Cyclones would score in the second, third, fourth and fifth to win via the mercy rule.

Centenary returns to action on Friday, April 3, in its first home match of the season. The Lady Cyclones will face Cedar Crest, starting at 3:00 p.m.

Game 1                                  Game 2

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ (March 30, 2009) – Softball player Kristin Durborow (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional) was named to the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Weekly Honor Roll, the league announced Monday.

Durborow, a sophomore, pitched three complete games last week, striking out 18 in 20 innings while going 2-1. She struck out six in Centenary’s 9-5 win over Cabrini on March 23 and then limited FDU-Florham to .167 from the plate (4-for-24) in the Lady Cyclones’ 3-2 win on March 25.

Softball returns to action with a double-header on Tuesday at Immaculata, starting at 3:00 p.m.

March 30 CSAC Weekly Awards

MADISON, NJ (March 25, 2009) – The Centenary softball team split its double-header with non-conference foe FDU-Florham, falling 9-1 in the first game before winning the second, 3-2. After the two-game slate, Centenary is 7-7, while FDU is 10-4.

After mustering only three hits in the opening game loss, Centenary put two quick runs on the board when sophomore Ali Knapp (Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery) homered, scoring junior Megan Dunne (Frenchtown, NJ/Delaware Valley Regional).

In the fourth, senior Stephanie Bickel (Brick, NJ/Manasquan) reached on an error, advanced to third and came home on an RBI groundout by freshman Melissa Volkert (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown). The Lady Cyclones gave up two runs in the fifth but held on for the 3-2 victory.

Centenary returns to action on Saturday, March 28, with a double-header at CSAC opponent Immaculata.

Game 1                           Game 2

RADNOR, PA (March 23, 2009) – The Centenary softball team (6-6, 3-1 CSAC) split a double-header at Cabrini (5-9, 3-3 CSAC), dropping the first game, 4-1, but winning the nightcap, 9-5. Senior Jolyn Veres (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) and freshman Melissa Volkert (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) each hit home runs to lead the Lady Cyclones.

Veres went 3-for-9 from the plate in the two games, hitting a solo home run in the first match. In the second game, Volkert’s three-run bomb in the third inning gave Centenary a lead it would not relinquish. Senior Stephanie Bickel (Brick, NJ/Manasquan) batted .429 (3-for-7), while junior Megan Dunne (Frenchtown, NJ/Delaware Valley Regional) finished the twin bill 3-for-8 from the plate, with one run and two RBI.

In the first game, a complete game from sophomore pitcher Sarah Olsen (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Pope John XXIII) was not enough, as Cabrini scored one in the second, two in the fifth and one in the sixth. Veres homered to lead off the game, but that was all the scoring that Centenary would get.

Veres opened the second game with a single, advanced to third on an error by Kelsie LaBauve at first, and scored on an RBI single by Dunne. However, the Cavaliers tied the game in the bottom of the inning and scored two more in the second to take a 3-1 lead.

Centenary took the lead for good in the third inning. With two outs, Olsen reached on an error by shortstop Sammy Thompson. After Bickel singled, Volkert connected on her first career home run to give the Lady Cyclones a 4-3 advantage. The road team would tack on two in the fifth, one in the sixth and two in the seventh to win, 9-5. Sophomore Kristin Durborow (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional) threw a complete game, striking out six, to get the win.

Centenary returns to action on Wednesday, March 25, with a double-header at FDU-Florham. The first game is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.

Game 1                        Game 2

RADNOR, PA (March 23, 2009) – The Centenary softball team (5-5, 2-0 CSAC) returns from its trip to Florida to play a double-header at conference foe Cabrini (4-8, 2-2 CSAC), Monday at 3:00 p.m. in Radnor, PA. The Lady Cyclones finished their Southern swing 3-5, dropping their last two matches.

CC has three student-athletes batting higher than .400 on the season. Junior Megan Dunne (Frenchtown, NJ/Delaware Valley Regional) is hitting .455 (15-for-33), junior Lorena Papa (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) is batting .423 (11-for-26) and senior Jolyn Veres (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) has an average of .419 (13-for-31).

Senior Jen Wendolowski (Jersey City, NJ/Holy Family Academy) leads the team with 13 runs and is tied for the team-lead with 11 RBI, along with sophomore Sarah Olsen (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Pope John XXIII). Veres is second on the team with 12 runs while leading the squad with four doubles and three triples.

On the mound, sophomore Ali Knapp (Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery) has a team-best 1.86 ERA while holding opponents to a .200 (seven-for-35) average. Olsen leads the team with three wins, two complete games and one save.

Cabrini is 2-2 in its last four games. In their last outing, the Cavaliers split a double-header with Immaculata, falling 7-1 and winning 6-5.

After today’s twin-bill, Centenary returns to action on Wednesday, March 25, with a double-header at FDU-Florham. Game one is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. 

FT. MYERS, FL (March 19, 2009) – The Centenary softball team (3-3) concludes its week-long Florida schedule with double-headers on both Thursday and Friday. The Lady Cyclones will take on St. Lawrence at 1:00 p.m. and Macalester at 3:00 p.m. on March 19 before facing Albright at 9:00 a.m. and Roger Williams at 11:00 a.m. on March 20.

Centenary stopped a three-game slide with a 3-2 win over Worcester State on March 17. Junior Megan Dunne (Frenchtown, NJ/Delaware Valley Regional) went two-for-three with a run scored while junior Lorena Papa (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) finished one-for-two with a run scored and an RBI in the win.

Senior catcher Jolyn Veres (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) has been leading the Lady Cyclones, batting .421 (eight-of-19) on the season, with three doubles, two triples and five RBI.  Sophomore pitcher Sarah Olsen (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Pope John XXIII) is 2-2 on the season, holding opponents to a .197 batting average (12-for-61).

After its return from Florida, Centenary will open its CSAC schedule with a road contest against Cabrini on Monday, March 23, at 3:00 p.m.

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ (March 16, 2009) – Senior Jolyn Veres (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) was named Player of the Week and sophomore Sarah Olsen (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Pope John XXIII) earned Pitcher of the Week honors as the Centenary softball team swept the Colonial States Athletic Conference Weekly Awards, the league announced Monday. The Lady Cyclones opened their season with a double-header sweep of conference foe the College of Notre Dame, winning 26-0 and 8-0 on Sunday.

Veres hit .500 (three-for-six) in the two games, with five runs, one double, two triples and three RBI. She also had a 1.333 slugging percentage and a .967 fielding percentage, went two-for-two in stolen bases and tallied 27 putouts in the two games.

Olsen pitched in Centenary’s game one win over ND, throwing a complete game shutout with 14 strikeouts while not allowing a hit. She also helped the team with her bat, hitting .429 (three-for-seven) with two runs and eight RBI.

Centenary returns to action today, taking on Plymouth State at 1:00 p.m. and SUNY-Brockport at 3:00 p.m. Both games will be played in Ft. Myers, FL.

BALTIMORE, MD (March 14, 2009) – The Centenary softball team (2-0, 2-0 CSAC) opened its season with a sweep of conference foe College of Notre Dame (0-2, 0-2 CSAC), winning 26-0 and 8-0, Saturday in Baltimore, MD. Senior Jolyn Veres (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) finished the day three-for-six with eight runs, three RBI and four walks, while sophomore Ali Knapp (Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery) went four-for-seven with three runs and four RBI.

In game one, Centenary erupted for nine runs in the first, following that with three in the second, seven in the third, five in the fourth and two in the fifth. Senior Jenna Wendolowski (Jersey City, NJ/Holy Family Academy) knocked in five runs while also scoring four herself, batting two-for-five. Fellow classmate Stephanie Bickel (Brick, NJ/Manasquan) finished one-for-three with three runs and two RBI, while sophomore Sarah Olsen (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Pope John XXIII) went one-for-three with two runs and four RBI.

Olsen also pitched for the Lady Cyclones, throwing a no-hitter while striking out 14 in five innings.

In the second game, Olsen did the damage with her bat as she went two-for-four with four RBI. Veres went two-for-three with four runs, while Wendolowski finished one-for-two with three runs and one RBI. Sophomore Kristin Durborow (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional) went the distance for the Lady Cyclones, allowing only two hits while striking out 13.

With the sweep, Centenary is 2-0 to start its season for the first time in more than four years. The Lady Cyclones return to action on Monday, March 16, with two games in Ft. Myers, FL. CC will face Plymouth State at 1:00 p.m. and SUNY Brockport at 3:00 p.m.

 Game 1                 Game 2

BALTIMORE, MD (March 12, 2009) – The Centenary softball team will open the 2009 schedule with a conference game at the College of Notre Dame, Saturday at 2:00 p.m. The Lady Cyclones are in the first year of competing in the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC), after participating in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) last season.

The Lady Cyclones are under the guidance of head coach Kim Broking, as she begins her first year at Centenary. Broking takes over a team that in 2008 finished with a record of 12-20 and was 6-14 in the conference.

This year’s team returns nine players, including seniors Stephanie Bickel (Brick, NJ/Manasquan), Jenna Wendolowski (Jersey City, NJ/Holy Family Academy) and Jolyn Veres (Morris Knolls). Also back for Centenary is junior Meghan Dunne (Frenchtown, NJ/Delaware Valley Regional).

Dunne was a First Team All-Conference selection last year as a DH, and she looks to improve upon her .400 batting average that she posted last year. Veres will be anchoring the defense from either the shortstop or catcher positions this season. In 2008 she batted .305 while also hitting 10 doubles and stealing 10 bases.

Broking also has some experience returning on the mound as four sophomores will be logging the bulk of the innings. Sarah Olsen (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Pope John XXIII), Allison Knapp (Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery), Kristin Durborow (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional) and Krystal Brugger (Franklin Lakes, NJ/Indian Hills) are all returning, and between them they won a combined 10 games for the Cyclones in 2008.

The game also marks the season-opener for the College of Notre Dame, which is in its first year as a varsity softball program. Head coach Melissa Thompson is looking to build ND’s program the way she did for Chesapeake College in Wye Mills, MD, where she was 40-39 in three seasons.

After Saturday’s game, Centenary will travel to Florida for a week of contests. On Monday, March 16, the Lady Cyclones will face Plymouth State at 1:00 p.m. and SUNY-Brockport at 3:00 p.m.

Hackettstown, NJ (February 26, 2009) – The Centenary softball team was picked to finish fifth out of twelve teams in the CSAC preseason poll, the conference announced. Neumann College, who was the 2008 Conference Champion, was picked to finish first, receiving nine of the twelve possible first-place votes. The Knights finished ahead of Gwynedd-Mercy College who received three first-place votes.

The Centenary softball team is under the guidance of head coach Kim Broking, as she begins her first year at Centenary. Broking takes over a team that in 2008 finished with a record of 12-20 and was 6-14 in the conference. This year’s team is returning nine players, seniors Stephanie Bickel (Brick, NJ/Manasquan), Jenna Wendolowski (Jersey City, NJ/Holy Family Academy), and Jolyn Veres (Morris Knolls). All starters on the 2008 team. Along with the seniors is junior Meghan Dunne (Frenchtown, NJ/Delaware Valley Regional). Dunne was a First Team All-Conference selection last year as a DH, and she looks to improve upon her .400 batting average that she posted last year. Veres will be anchoring the defense from either the shortstop or catcher positions this season. In 2008 Veres batted .305 while also hitting 10 doubles and stealing ten bases.

Broking also has some experience returning on the mound as four sophomores will be logging the bulk of the innings. Sarah Olsen (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Pope John XXIII), Allison Knapp (Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery), Kristin Durborow (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional) and Krystal Brugger (Franklin Lakes, NJ/Indian Hills) are all returning, and between them they won a combined 10 games for the Cyclones in 2008.

The Lady Cyclones open their season this year with a conference game, as they travel to the College of Notre Dame on Saturday, March 14th. The game is set to start at 2:00pm.


2009 CSAC Softball Pre-Season Poll