Another title won! Here's what motivates St. John Vianney softball

HOLMDEL -- The St. John Vianney softball seems to do everything right. On the field, they are equally capable of resiliency and dominance, as demonstrated by their remarkable come-from-behind victory over Donovan Catholic in the Shore Conference Tournament final. Off the field, they are easy-going and lighthearted in the dugout and in postgame interviews.

But if the team is guilty of one cardinal sin, it's greed, or in a nicer way of saying it, hunger. The great competitors are never satisfied and that's why they always seem to win.

These Lancers want to compete in and win every competition they can.

"Why wouldn't I give my kids another opportunity to win a title? It's so important. It's so fun to be a part of your county tournament," said head coach Kim Lombardi-McDougall. "Whether it takes two weeks to play the game or not, I feel like there should be a county tournament and I feel like people should play in the county format."

Host St. John Vianney's 8-1 victory over Marlboro in the Monmouth County Tournament final on Friday gives the team both the Shore title and Monmouth titles, two out of three legs in Shore softball's triple crown. The team that wants it all is only a state title away from having it.

"I'm always feeling confident about this team," said junior catcher Elisabeth "Figs" Figliolino. "If we keep playing how we're playing and keep the energy up in the dugout. Everybody comes here everyday and loves the game, and I really think that's going to get us to the state championship."

A potential rematch with Donovan Catholic and top-seeded Notre Dame stand in the way of that state title for SJV, not to mention an opening round NJSIAA sectional matchup against a capable Paul VI squad. That postseason arguably has a bit more pressure now that the Lancers have achieved two of their major goals.

"Obviously, we make a little checklist of what we want to do throughout the year," said Lombardi-McDougall. "We have to focus on Paul VI on Wednesday, they're a great team as well. We got to work on some things, we got to buckle up some areas. Hopefully we'll bring our best play in the state run."

More: St. John Vianney softball finds way in marathon Shore Conference final: 'No words for it'

Marlboro hangs tough for five innings but SJV pulls away

The aftermath of the victory over Marlboro certainly looks routine, particularly considering both teams' record going in. But it was a matchup of the county's two reigning state champions from last season, and the Mustangs had showed plenty of fight as they upset Red Bank Catholic and Colts Neck in the SCT before falling to Donovan Catholic in the semifinal.

But as usual, the depth and talent of St. John Vianney proved to be overwhelming. This time, the star of the Lancers' show was the junior catcher. She opened up the scoring in the bottom of the first with two RBIs.

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"Championship games, everybody always gets excited. It's Monmouth County championships, you want to fight for your county," said Figliolino. "Today, it just clicked. Some days it doesn't, some days it does. And today I'm glad I could've done anything to help my team."

It appeared the game might be on it's way to spiraling into a blowout after the early 2-0 lead for the Lancers, but Marlboro freshman Isabella Wuelfing hit a solo home run in the top of the second to cut the deficit to 2-1.

But the Mustangs continued to be pressured by the dangerous Lancer offense. They got out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom half of the second while only conceding one run to make the score 3-1, and the defense stranded SJV runners in scoring position in the next two innings.

But the fifth inning was the straw that broke the Mustangs' back, as some creative small ball extended the lead to 7-1. Figliolino bookended the scoring with a sacrifice groundout in the sixth for her third RBI of the game that sealed the 8-1 victory.

The star catcher was quick to defer to the team's star sophomore pitcher, Madison MacDougall.

"With Madison, she gives her everything, every single game," Figliolino said. "I'm so proud of her, seeing her grow. Especially with her being younger than me, I feel like she's my little sister."

The star junior has been behind the plate for the Shore's two most dominant underclassmen pitchers. On her travel team, Figliolino also catches for Madi Boyce of Middletown North. The two will reunite in college to play for Seton Hall. And for Figliolino, the pride in winning local titles extends to her college decision.

"I always knew that I wanted to stay home, because I'm a homebody and I love my mom," said Figliolino. "It was just beautiful, I fell in love with the campus. And one of my best friends is going there, so I feel like it was an easy decision."

State Tournament runs up next for Marlboro and SJV

Both teams will be back in action after the holiday weekend with their eyes set in making state tournament runs. For Marlboro, they'll go on the road to face North Brunswick in the quarterfinals of the Central Group 4 section on Tuesday after beating Hamilton West in the opening round.

And for the Lancers, they'll begin their state title defense on Wednesday in the aforementioned home matchup with Paul VI. As a two-seed, they'll face Donovan Catholic in the semifinal if both teams win on Wednesday. Players from St. John Vianney were eyeing the rematch immediately after winning the Shore Conference final.

"Donovan is a great team," said Madison McDougall on Tuesday after winning the Shore title. "I'm excited to play them again in states."

That underlying competitive fire is always simmering beneath the surface. The Lancers could hardly celebrate the conference title without also thinking about the next opportunity to compete. After winning the county title, the players lingered on the field awaiting directions for photos with the celebratory plaque and accompanying t-shirts.

They swiftly exited the field - looking eager for the next challenge.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: St. John Vianney softball tops Marlboro in Monmouth County Tournament final