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Softball ballot: Vote for Skyland/area UCC Player of the Week for Week 1

simeon pincus, mycentraljersey.com
·3 min read

The regular season is well underway. The weather has been stellar and the action has been even better, including a host of teams and players getting out to flying starts.

Here are the nominations for Week 1’s Courier News Softball Player of the Week. All stats through Saturday, April 8.

Voting ends Thursday at noon. Nominees selected by Simeon Pincus. Voting winner will be featured as the Player of the Week.

LANEY ADIE

Warren Hills

Sophomore

Pitcher

The Blue Streaks ace is 3-0 in the circle and also off to a big start with the bat, going 5-for-10 through the first week with two doubles and two RBIs. She’s allowed just five earned runs in 16 innings, walking four and striking out 24.

More: Softball roundup: Results, analysis, links for Skyland, GMC and area Union County

CLAY’LE CORREA

Hillsborough

Senior

Center field

While superstar pitcher Sarah Davenport continues to mow down the opposition, it’s the veteran leadoff hitter who has sparked the offense that’s supported the undefeated Raiders with 9.3 runs per game. Correa has slapped her way to a 10-for-11 start at the plate, with a triple, three RBIs and seven runs scored. She’s also swiped three bases.

SKYE COOKE

North Hunterdon

Sophomore

Pitcher/outfield

With the graduation of last year’s ace, Ava Triano, the Lions needed someone to step up to pair with lefty returner Camryn Campbell, and the sophomore righty has not only answered the call, but also proven to be another solid bat for North to add to its already potent attack. Cooke is 3-0, having allowed just three earned runs on six hits in 15 1/3 innings, walking seven and striking out 22. She’s also 5-for-8 at the plate with a triple, three runs and two RBIs.

ERIN DOHERTY

Westfield

Junior

Second base

The Blue Devils are 2-2 to start the year, losing a well-played opening-day game with North Hunterdon and a one-run game to Union, but that hasn’t stopped the two-year starter from getting off to a torrid start, including delivering the walkoff hits in both her team’s wins. Doherty is 11-for-17 so far this season, with three doubles, two home runs and eight RBIs. She notched a walkoff home run in the bottom of the ninth inning Wednesday against Governor Livingston, and the walkoff RBI double in Saturday’s victory over Bridgewater-Raritan.

MOLLIE FERREIRA

Immaculata

Sophomore

Third base

The Spartans have come storming out to a 4-0 start, having outscored opponents 37-2, and while the work Caroline Colitti has done in the circle has been key, it’s been Ferreira who has provided much of the umph. The second-year starter leads the team in every offensive category so far, starting 9-for-12 with a double, a conference-best four home runs, four walks, nine runs scored and eight RBIs.

EMILY VAN CLEEF

Hunterdon Central

Sophomore

Pitcher

The sophomore has picked up where she left off at the plate after breaking out down the stretch last year, and has assumed the role as Red Devils’ ace after the graduation of Sarah DeStefano. Van Cleef is 5-for-12 with two doubles, two walks and five RBIs, and has posted a 4-0 mark in the circle for undefeated Central, allowing just one earned run on seven hits and 11 walks, and struck out 13 in 20 innings.

ANNA ZICCARDI

Mount St. Mary

Sophomore

Pitcher/shortstop

The Mount Lions have surged to a 3-1 start after winning eight straight to close out last year’s 11-11 campaign, and the returning starter has been key at the plate and in the circle. Ziccardi is 2-0 splitting pitching time, and has allowed one earned run on 10 hits and seven walks in 18 innings, striking out 32. She’s 6-for-14 at the plate with two doubles, a home run and five RBIs. She’s also scored seven runs.

VOTE NOW!! POLL CLOSES NOON THURSDAY!!

Staff writer Simeon Pincus has been covering NJ sports since 1997, and has been on the softball beat since 1999. He can be reached at CourierSoftball@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @SimeonPincus

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This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Softball ballot: Vote Skyland/area UCC Player of the Week - Week 1