Spring Sports Heat Up Around Union County

Are you a rabid Union County sports fan? If so, read on to see how all of your favorite schools fared in the first week of the season:

Gov. Livingston

The baseball team couldn't have started the season any better, earning a thrilling 7-6 victory over neighboring New Providence on opening day. Trailing 6-0 entering the final frame, GL rolled a seven thanks to John Jenning's three-run walk-off triple in the final at-bat to end the drama. The Highlanders added a 1-0 victory Thursday to their resume, defeating Scotch Plains behind junior hurler Joe Graziano, and are now 3-0 and ranked # 2 in the Star-Ledger Union County poll.

Meanwhile the girls' softball team is making county fans stand up and take notice, winning their first two games of the year. Pitcher Jordan Robbins shut down red-hot Elizabeth on Thursday.

Cranford 

The defending Union County and state champs return starting pitchers Ryan Williamson and  Kurt Rutmeyer, arguably the best 1-2 righty-lefty combo in the county. Ranked first in the county rankings and # 11 in the state, the Cougars have already beaten Union 9-2 and Scotch Plains-Fanwood 9-8 in a come-from-behind win. Greg Matlosz finished 3-for-4 on the day for the defending Group 3 champs.

Johnson Reg. (Clark)

Hats off to Johnson softball star Cat Reichers, who went 5-for-5 in the Lady Crusaders season opener. Riechers blasted a two-run homer to help her own cause, while teammate Ali Meagher smacked a pair of doubles and three RBI in a 4-for-4 effort at the plate.

Meagher also tossed a three-hitter to lead Johnson over Union Catholic 4-0 Thursday. Michelle Pozyc belted a home run in the victory.

New Providence

The Pioneers delivered a 5-3 victory over Scotch Plains in the boys' lacrosse season opener, with Erik Wehner tallying a pair of goals. Derek Singer, Richard Nelson and James Burke all scored one apiece. Brian Valerio made eight saves for the winners.

Nelson and Jonathan Ebert scored four goals apiece in helping the Pioneers to a 15-9 win over Newark Academy. New Providence is 2-1 on the season.

Doug Pastore struck out ten batters to help the boys baseball team defeat Oratory 4-1 to even their mark at 1-1.

The girls' lax team is off to a 3-1 start with their lone loss coming at the hands of mighty Summit. Dominique Iacovelli is a player to watch.

Scotch Plains-Fanwood

History was made in girls' lacrosse when the Lady Raiders defeated Clifton 9-3 to earn the first varsity win in school history. Alissa Ricci made 11 saves while Elsa Listikow tallied a pair of goals.

Congratulations go out to the girls' track and field team after defeating rival Westfield 82-40. 

Summit

It's hard not to talk about boys' lacrosse when it comes to Summit sports. With back-to-back Tournament of Champion trophies and a 48-game winning streak in tow, the No. 1 team in the state is picking up right where they left off the past two seasons despite losing the likes of Bobby Lawrence, one of the best lax players ever developed in the Garden State.

That said, the Hilltoppers have already swamped Cranford (13-1), Seton Hall Prep (14-5) and Westfield (5-1) to start the campaign 3-0. Sonny Round and Mike Ford have helped the cause, as well as Michael Tsiang, just to name a few.

Not to be outdone, the girls' lax team is also ranked in the Top 10 with junior middie Caroline Cordrey leading the way. Summit has won their first four matches, defeating Kent Place and Cranford with a combined 33-goal effort.

At this rate, can the No. 1 ranking be far behind?

Springfield

Gabby DiFronzo slammed a pair of triples and added five ribbies in Dayton's 12-2 season-opening win over Johnson on the softball diamond.

Led by a strong pitching outing by  and timely hits from Gabby DeFronzo, Dayton [1-0] earned a season-opening win. Mooney [1-0] went four innings, allowing one earned run on two hits, four walks and nine strikeouts.

Westfield

The Blue Devils baseball team seems to be the real deal after posting a whopping 33 runs in their first two games, trouncing both Old Bridge and Hillsborough.

Dan Kerr picked up seven RBI's against Hillsborough while hitting for the cycle. Teammate Tim Younger -- not to be outdone -- went 4-for-4.

Meanwhile the boys' lacrosse team won their first two games by the same 6-5 score before dropping a respectable 5-1 contest to Summit. Watch out for these Devils as the season rolls on.

Game to Watch

Baseball - Sunday, April 10 - Cranford vs. South Plainfield at Williams field in Elizabeth - 1:00 p.m.