RED BANK -- It was only the first Monday of the regular season on the last day of March, but the weather and Red Bank Catholic softball were both in midseason form at Count Basie Park.
As was the case last season for both teams, there was no time for tune-up games to open the season. Preseason No. 3 Red Bank Catholic hosted No. 5 Middletown North in battle of perennial powers, and the Caseys demonstrated that their lineup is as dangerous as any in the Shore as they beat the Lions 6-2.
It was an impressive display of offense for the Caseys against Midd North senior pitcher Madi Boyce, a standout Seton Hall recruit. She never allowed more than four runs last season - and she was sharp enough to notch 15 strikeouts. Red Bank Catholic matched the opposing ace with a strong performance from its own star in the circle, Notre Dame signee Lily Hagan.
"We obviously have a very tough schedule this year, but we've worked really hard before the season started," Hagan said. "That's why we're having so much success, we all want it for each other so badly."
Hagan overcame a tough start after she conceded a run in the top of the first before getting her first out of the afternoon. That beginning became a distant memory as the standout pitcher finished with 12 strikeouts while wearing a dazzling custom glove that represented the Caseys and the Irish.
With Hagan's senior stability as the foundation, newcomers like junior Jayden Kane were able to find their place in the loaded RBC lineup. The transfer from Freehold Township delivered the Caseys' first two runs with an electric home run over the left field fence.
"It was definitely the adrenaline rush," Kane said. "But once I was behind the plate, Lily and I were locked in. It really got my mind off things and calmed me down."
Additional RBIs from freshman Mackenna Savage and sophomore Grace Lombardi helped to seal the victory, and provided a preview of what Red Bank Catholic hopes can be the added element that pushes them over the top as they aim for a Shore title and the loftier goal of a Non-Public state championship.
Of course, interspersed between those contributions was a solo home run and a double from star senior shortstop Nicole Knox. The North Carolina recruit is yet another centerpiece on a Red Bank Catholic team that is full of elite players.
"We've been working hard all four years — we've wanted it every single year," Hagan said of her senior teammates. "Enjoy the moment. We have nothing to lose. We just want the next thing. We want that Shore Conference and state championship so badly."
Enjoying the competition while also being tightly focused on the implications of competing at a high level is a tricky balancing act, but this year's RBC team has the talent, experience and mental toughness to turn it into a winning formula. The opener was just one more reminder of what the Caseys are capable of accomplishing when playing at their best.
"When you're facing Madi (Boyce) like we did and get six runs and hit the ball like we did, that's gonna just build confidence for the rest of the year," Red Bank Catholic coach Tony Flego said. "This is just a building block for us for the rest of the year with the schedule that we're playing. That's why it's gonna be fun to show up every day and get out there on a field and play."
Lions pounce early, but Caseys outlast them on home turf
Middletown North knew it would need to strike early to have a chance at upsetting Red Bank Catholic on the road, and the Lions got exactly what they needed in their first two at-bats.
After a walk by Hailey Keiser to start the game, senior Adriana Lisotto delivered an RBI double into right field to promptly score her and give Midd North the 1-0 advantage before RBC had the chance to record an out. But then came the difficult part for the Lions: holding the lead.
Boyce is tasked with stifling the opposing offense and as usual she got off to a strong start. She swiftly retired the side in the bottom of the first and kept throwing heat in the second, striking out two of RBC's best senior hitters in Hagan and Lana Rudolph. Everything was tilted in Midd North's favor until Kane stepped to the plate and delivered a bomb to left field that reshaped the game for good.
The Lions mounted a spirited response in the top of the third as Natalie Trezza tied the game at 2-2 with an RBI single. But the depth and talent of the Caseys proved to be overwhelming. Knox regained the lead for RBC with a solo home run and Hagan found her stride in the circle as she was aided by some great defensive plays behind her.
The Casey offense start revving again in the bottom of the fifth as they delivered a punishing blow. Sophia Lasater got things started with a single and Knox put them both in scoring position with a double. The freshman Savage delivered a double to score Lasater and Lombardi cleared the bases with a single in the following at-bat. Appropriately, Hagan finished off the victory with two strikeouts in the seventh.
What's next for Middletown North and Red Bank Catholic
The loss is a tough result for Middletown North considering the matchup featured good execution of the team's defensive-minded game plan for success around star pitcher Madi Boyce. Runs have been at a premium for the Lions in the past, and the ability to manufacture runs against such strong pitching is a positive sign for the team moving forward considering Boyce is capable of shutting down any opposing offense.
Both teams are in the newly reformatted A North division, a gauntlet featuring the best team in the state in two-time reigning Non-Public champ St. John Vianney and two-time sectional champ (and 2023 Group 4 winner) Marlboro. That's in addition to powers like Middletown North and Red Bank Catholic.
As such, there are no easy games as the Lions hit the road again on Wednesday to face Marlboro before finishing the week with home games against Point Pleasant Boro and Wall.
The Caseys will face Freehold Township on Wednesday before testing themselves with two big games against elite North Jersey teams to finish the week. RBC will face Mount St. Dominic on Saturday and Immaculate Heart on Sunday, two big litmus tests as the Caseys face the tall task of toppling Donovan Catholic and St. John Vianney in the Shore.