Last Year’s Loss In Sectional Final Still Fresh In The Minds Of Saint John Vianney Players By Mike Ready

HOLMDEL – The Lancers went 28-1 last season including winning both the Monmouth County Tournament and Shore Conference Tournament championships, but it’s that one loss that sticks in their craw and keeps them awake at night. 

That one loss came against Donovan Catholic in the NJSIAA South, Non-Public A championship. In that game, Saint John Vianney found themselves in a 4-0 hole after one inning, but the never-say-die Lancers put up four runs in the top of the second and another run in the fifth to take a 5-4 lead. 

However, Donovan Catholic’s Karina Gaskins drilled a two-out, two-run double in the bottom half of the fifth to take a 6-5 lead and the Griffins star pitcher, Lindsay Nelson, made the lead stand up.

Even more agonizing for the Lancers was that they stranded two runners in the sixth and the potential tying run at third in the seventh, but failed to push the tying run across the plate.  

“Absolutely,” said Monmouth University commit and senior centerfielder Lindsey Baron when asked if the team is using that loss to Donovan Catholic as motivation. “We definitely want to come back and get Donovan Catholic this year, and hopefully come out on top. Coach (Kim Lombardi) reminds us about it and how we felt and it’s not something we want to go through again. It’s always in the back of our minds.”

And they’ll more likely than not get their chance at redemption. 

Saint John Vianney’s biggest roadblock to a state championship this season will again be Donovan Catholic, who is the Shore Conference’s No. 1 pre-season pick and is ranked No. 45 in Max Preps Pre-season National Top 50.

The Lancers enter the season ranked No. 2 in the Shore Conference behind Donovan Catholic after finishing there in last season’s final top 10. 

However, Saint John Vianney is in good shape itself entering the 2018 season. They return seven starters to a lineup that features two seniors, three juniors and three sophomores. 

Baron is the undisputed leader of the team after being selected first-team All-State by hitting .440 with five home runs, three triples, five doubles and 30 RBI. She’s back to patrol centerfield, a position she plays flawlessly and has a gun for an arm. 

The Lancers’ most significant position loss is in the circle where they must replace first-team All-State performer Demi Rivera, now pitching for C.W. Post. However, it should be an easy transition with sophomore Julia Parker stepping into the starting role after a sensational freshman campaign as a hitter and in the circle.

Parker, who is also the designated hitter and can play outfield when not pitching, burst onto the scene as a freshman and following the season she was named second-team All-Shore by the Asbury Park Press and second-team All-Non-Public by NJ.com.

Posting some of the best numbers for a freshman in Shore Conference history, Parker hit .441 with six home runs, 32 RBI, seven doubles and three triples. In the circle she went 9-0 in 54.2 IP allowing 11 runs – just four earned – while striking out 67 and walking 14.

“Julia’s looking really good and working really hard every day in practice,” Baron said of Parker. “She is throwing different pitches and working on her strengths and fixing her weaknesses. She’s trying to be the best.”

Junior catcher Ally Jones is back behind the plate where she picked up second-team All-Shore and second-team All-Non-Public honors a year ago after hitting .384 with three home runs, two triples, three doubles and 24 RBI while excelling in working with her pitchers, throwing out base runners and blocking the plate. 

Senior Shelli Rivard has been a mainstay at third base for three years and last season was awarded for her play in the hot corner by being named second-team All-Shore and third-team All-Non-Public after fielding third base with impeccable ease while hitting .371 along with belting four home runs and six doubles while driving in 20 runs. 

Alexis Agrapeides returns at second base where she shined as a sophomore hitting .338 in 75 at-bats  with 19 RBI along five doubles, a triple and a home run, while infield mate, junior Jess Campana is back at shortstop after hitting .353 with 12 RBI, three doubles and 15 runs scored in 51 at bats. 

After seeing spot duty as a freshman a year ago, Brynn Reiser will get the start at first base for the Lancers. In last year’s Shore Conference final, Reiser laced a pinch-hit two-RBI single down the first base line that tied the game at six in Saint John Vianney’s 8-6 comeback win over Ocean. 

Sophomore Gillian Zack will man left field again this season after a solid season in the field as a freshman. She looks to get more at bats this season after she was primarily utilized as a flex-player a year ago. 

Right field is up for grabs with freshman Haley Ahr and sophomore Jordan Schultz looking like the front runners. Ahr will be counted on to spell Parker in the circle and provide relief pitching when called upon. 

“We have high expectations and we’re always striving to be the best,” said Baron of the upcoming season. We have confidence but we’re not cocky. We stay humble with our eyes on winning it all”