Shore team lifted by leadoff blast in state softball tournament: 'It was right where I like'

POINT PLEASANT -- The Manasquan softball team came ready from the opening at bat on Wednesday in its road state softball tournament opening-round section matchup against Point Pleasant Borough. The Warriors lead off hitter, Danni Forrester, was first and foremost aiming for a long stint at the plate.

"Batting leadoff, I always try to see the most amount of pitches I can for the rest of my team," said Forrester.

But the she saw one that was just for her, and she sent it soaring over the right field fence.

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"I didn't really think there were two strikes," Forrester continued. "I just saw that one and it was right where I like it."

It was that kind of day for the Warriors as Forrester added an RBI double later in the game to help seal the team's 4-0 victory over Point Boro in the Central Group 2 game. Manasquan will visit Johnson of Union County in the quarterfinals Tuesday.

Manasquan was a surprising 11-seed despite a now-14-9 record against one of the toughest schedules in the Shore. Eight of the nine losses came against playoff teams in Group 3, Group 4 and Non-Public A, including five losses to St. John Vianney, Red Bank Catholic and Middletown North. The Warriors had seen the best the Shore had to offer, and they were ready for the final test.

"We have believed as a team and coaching staff that we're not an 11-seed," said Manasquan coach Heidi Hodnett. "The power points just are what they are sometimes."

The same can be said for Point Boro, who was given a six-seed despite holding the best record in the section and winning the Ocean County Tournament. Unfortunately, it was hardly the only way in which these teams' destinies were marred by the forces within the NJSIAA.

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In-game fireworks: umpire outburst, coach and reporter tossed

While nothing detracts from the incredible playoff victory by the Warriors, the story of Wednesday's game simply is not complete without referencing the impact plate umpire Vinny Smith had.

In the bottom of the fifth, Point Pleasant Boro finally head an offensive breakthrough with two outs on a terrific hit by Georgia Tym. As Jadyn Clayton headed for home plate, Manasquan catcher Kate Feigus adjusted to the thrown ball and blocked the base path. As Clayton went around her, she was called out for exiting the base path to end the inning.

The call was disputed and Smith berated Point Boro coach Liz Russo for questioning the call. The disruption lasted 15 minutes.

The following inning, when Russo requested a check with the base umpire on a swing, Smith declined to get help. That sparked more back-and-forth, at which point this reporter was ejected for commenting that the call appeared to be incorrect. Russo could be heard on video saying, "If you want to move on, then let's move on" - and Smith immediately ejected her.

Otherwise, Manasquan's defense and pitcher Lindsay Fuller were challenged repeatedly by the Point Boro offense, but the Warriors forced stranded runners at third base in multiple innings. Then in the bottom of the seventh, they withstood a spirited effort by the Panthers to load the bases before sealing the win on a pop out.

"We can contend with any outfield in the Shore Conference," said Hodnett. "They were communicating really well, infield came up with a couple of double plays. We don't overwhelm people with a ton of strikeouts, but we get key strikeouts when necessary."

In addition to Forrester's spark of early offense, junior Brooke Loughlin had a tremendous hit with the bases loaded that secured Manasquan's 4-0 lead that the Warriors took to the finish line.

Hodnett, who resides in Point Pleasant, was certainly pleased with the victory over the tenacious Panthers.

"Point Boro, they're fighters. I live in Point, I can't wait for my kids to play in this program," said Hodnett. "To step on the field and compete with teams like that."

That schedule is now paying dividends as the team hopes to spark a postseason run. Despite the losses, the close games against Red Bank Catholic and St. John Vianney were confidence builders for the Warriors.

"Losing to SJV only 3-0 was such a confidence booster for us," said Forrester. "Because although it was a loss, we played a really good game. And I think ever since then, we've just been going up."

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Manasquan coach Heidi Hodnett says 'tough schedule' a good setup for postseason

The game was always destined to be a bitter end for a quality team that was much better than a first round playoff exit, but the bizarre seeding sealed the fate. Ultimately, it was Point Pleasant Boro who faces a difficult ending to what was undeniably the best season in program history. The Panthers got their first Ocean County title in school history and finished with a 16-4 record.

As for the Warriors, they will continue to face a surprisingly favorable path as an underdog in the Central Group 2 bracket. On Tuesday against Johnson, it will be an intriguing test given the quality of play in Union County, but Manasquan will be well-prepared after facing several of the top teams in the state.

The road victory over Point Boro is another notch in that impressive regular season resume, and the Warriors know that the difficult season grind was preparation for this moment.

"That's why we put together such a tough schedule," said Hodnett. "So that we can make the most of our postseason."

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Manasquan softball beats Point Boro in NJSIAA Tournament opener