It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Monmouth Battlefield State Park gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Colts Neck, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living”
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“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care.”
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“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago”
“I just started using always best care for my dad The certified aids that came from the agency were fantastic This situation is new for myself and my dad For having no complaints from my dad is a plus So ty again for such an easy transition for my dad Much appreciated Susan”
“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they take care of. Caretakers are top notch and customer service is great and they are available whenever you need them.”
“It is a pleasure to work for someone that genuinely respects caregivers for the job we do!”
“I am a current client of this provider I can’t begin to tell to you how pleased I am with Always Best Care. Not only have they placed the perfect caregiver with my mother they also take care of the billing and when I need to speak to a receptionist they are always available. Thank you!!”
“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living Facility for my mother. We moved to the city a month ago and had little idea about the local senior living communities. I’d like to thank the highly experienced and knowledgeable caregivers of Always Best Care for helping our family during the difficult time.”
“I am a current client of this provider Your manager is always nice and flexible, and the caregivers are sweet and wonderful”
“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care. They do 24hr care, and the caregiver is excellent. I would recommend them.”
“I am a current client of this provider We have hired Always Best Care. We have them for 5 to 6 weeks now. My mother practically does everything herself, but sometimes they might fix her her lunch, there might be a little bit of shopping, and they take her to her appointment. My mother is fine. The hours are fine. She got the hours that she requested. I know she is being billed on her credit card. They have been very helpful and very cooperative. The women always call back.”
“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago for my mom. The woman comes in three days a week to assist my mother with doing the wash, keeping the house picked up, and just talking to her. She’s wonderful. We interviewed several people, and there was just something about the way they were organized in their presentation and their follow up. that impressed us. They were a level above the other ones that we spoke to. They really listen to you about your needs and work very hard to match the caregiver up with what you’re looking for. We were very impressed with them.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Dorbrook Recreation Area with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local La Candela Gallega or visit Twin Lights State Historic Site, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Colts Neck, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Colts Neck, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Colts Neck, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
An iconic ice cream shop in New Jersey has announced plans to open a third location.Jersey Freeze, which began at its original spot in Freehold along Route 9 in 1952, has been a must-visit for locals and visitors alike.Bruce Springsteen has been known to stop in, as a favorite since his Freehold childhood.The original spot has an adjoining restaurant with a diner-like menu, possibly best known for a great burger...
An iconic ice cream shop in New Jersey has announced plans to open a third location.
Jersey Freeze, which began at its original spot in Freehold along Route 9 in 1952, has been a must-visit for locals and visitors alike.
Bruce Springsteen has been known to stop in, as a favorite since his Freehold childhood.
The original spot has an adjoining restaurant with a diner-like menu, possibly best known for a great burger and fries.
At least once, Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce were at Jersey Freeze at the same time in Freehold, leaving fans in a frenzy over missing it.
In 2020, Jersey Freeze opened a second, ice cream only spot, within Bell Works in Holmdel.
Now, Jersey Freeze is taking over a shop within another very popular plaza in Colts Neck.
The Orchards at Colts Neck along Route 34 already boasts a Rook Coffee location and Gianni’s Pizzeria Colts Neck.
The shopping plaza is also just a couple of minutes from both Delicious Orchards and from Source Farmhouse Brewery, right off of an interchange for Route 18.
"Welcome to the neighborhood!" Delicious Orchards commented on the Instagram post announcing the expansion, alongside lots of excited customers.
Jersey Freeze appears to be expanding into the storefront that most recently had been a different ice cream business, called Ant and Andy’s.
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COLTS NECK, NJ — The summer is almost here, and soon, community members will be able to cool off with Jersey Freeze ice cream when the restaurant opens its newest location in Monmouth County.Set to open on 340 NJ-34 in Colts Neck, the restaurant will be Jersey Freeze’s third location. Their other two locations are inside Bell Works in Holmdel and on 120 Manalapan Ave. in Freehold.“BIG NEWS! Jersey Freeze is expanding once again — and this time, we’re heading to Colts Neck, New Jersey,” the re...
COLTS NECK, NJ — The summer is almost here, and soon, community members will be able to cool off with Jersey Freeze ice cream when the restaurant opens its newest location in Monmouth County.
Set to open on 340 NJ-34 in Colts Neck, the restaurant will be Jersey Freeze’s third location. Their other two locations are inside Bell Works in Holmdel and on 120 Manalapan Ave. in Freehold.
“BIG NEWS! Jersey Freeze is expanding once again — and this time, we’re heading to Colts Neck, New Jersey,” the restaurant recently announced on social media. “Get ready for the best soft serve in the world, coming your way this summer.”
While a specific opening date wasn’t included in the announcement, the restaurant told customers to stay tuned for more information.
“This is just the beginning — stay tuned for even more big news, new locations, and exciting opportunities,” the restaurant said. “Thank you to our incredible community for all the love and support.”
Known for their soft serve ice cream and expansive menu, Jersey Freeze was founded in 1952 by the Blackmore family before becoming a local go-to spot for fast food and ice cream in the 1970s, according to their website.
The current owners, Katie DiNonno and Matt Cangialosi, purchased Jersey Freeze from Bruce Blackmore in 2014 and have been managing the restaurant ever since.
In March 2020, the pair opened their second location at Bell Works in Holmdel.
To learn more about Jersey Freeze, you can visit their website or Instagram page.
Jersey Freeze’s Colts Neck location will be located at 340 NJ-34, Colts Neck.
Ryan Rude collected three RBI and smacked a double for third-seeded Colts Neck in its 7-2 win against 14th-seeded Marlboro in the first round of the Monmouth County Tournament in Colts Neck.Marlboro (2-7) held a 2-1 lead after the top of the fourth inning when Colts Neck (6-2) answered back with two runs in the bottom half of the frame to retake the lead, 3-2.Colts Neck added three more runs in the bottom of the fifth and scored another run in the bottom of the sixth to take a 7-2 lead.Matt Clark was a perfect 3-for-3 at...
Ryan Rude collected three RBI and smacked a double for third-seeded Colts Neck in its 7-2 win against 14th-seeded Marlboro in the first round of the Monmouth County Tournament in Colts Neck.
Marlboro (2-7) held a 2-1 lead after the top of the fourth inning when Colts Neck (6-2) answered back with two runs in the bottom half of the frame to retake the lead, 3-2.
Colts Neck added three more runs in the bottom of the fifth and scored another run in the bottom of the sixth to take a 7-2 lead.
Matt Clark was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate for Colts Neck with an RBI and a double. RJ Conover was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two stolen bases.
Nick Hayden started for Colts Neck, pitched five innings, struck out four, allowed five hits and two walks on two earned runs. Ryan Spencer pitched two innings in relief, striking out a pair and allowing one walk.
Gavin McCarthy and Brayden Bradley each had an RBI for Marlboro. Ethan Huang scored both runs.
Third-seeded Colts Neck will face sixth-seeded Manasquan in the quarterfinal round on Saturday.
Anthony Gabbianelli can be reached at [email protected].
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Anthony Iachello doesn’t care that Jillian Heyser is only a freshman.With the swings she’s put together against some of the state’s top pitchers, he knew she earned her place near the top of Colts Neck’s lineup.And on Saturday afternoon against the No. 9 team in the state — Mount St. Dominic in the Public/Private Challenge— she officially showed why.The two-hole hitter for Colts Neck, she launched the biggest hit of her career — a game-winning three-run homer to dead center again...
Anthony Iachello doesn’t care that Jillian Heyser is only a freshman.
With the swings she’s put together against some of the state’s top pitchers, he knew she earned her place near the top of Colts Neck’s lineup.
And on Saturday afternoon against the No. 9 team in the state — Mount St. Dominic in the Public/Private Challenge— she officially showed why.
The two-hole hitter for Colts Neck, she launched the biggest hit of her career — a game-winning three-run homer to dead center against Mount pitcher Abby Cianfrocca to put Colts Neck up 6-5 in the top of the sixth.
“She doesn’t let the moment get too big for her, and that’s really impressive as a freshman,” Colts Neck pitcher Angela Sasso said. “We’ve been so proud of her, whether it’s in the outfield or cheering us on in the dugout. She’s made great adjustments hitting and that ball was so clutch.”
Sasso got hit around at times, including early on when Mount’s All-State first baseman Jillian Cianfrocca opened the game with a solo blast to tie the game at 1-1.
But Sasso wasn’t worried and didn’t let that hit — or any of the others she gave up faze her.
Mount right fielder Carlee Paez also hit Sasso well, going 3-for-3 with three RBI singles. Even with all that traffic, though, Sasso got big outs when it counted.
She struck out 15 in the game and got out of several big jams.
The slugfest was far different from last year’s meeting between the two sides when Mount won 1-0 in 10 innings as Sasso struck out 16 and Mount’s then-frosh Ava Kelshaw struck out 16 and tossed a no-hitter.
But after pitching the last two games for Mount and despite being listed as the starter pregame, Mount coach Rob Stern started Natalia Marecki in the circle instead.
Still, regardless of who Colts Neck saw, the Cougars were prepared. They’re in a division with three of the state’s top teams and top pitchers in St. John Vianney’s Madison McDougall, Middletown North’s Madilynn Boyce and Red Bank Catholic’s Lily Hagan.
And though Colts Neck dropped its games against those three, the Cougars were competitive and it prepares them for anything.
“Our division is probably one of the best in the state, but those results haven’t brought our confidence down but it’s actually brought it up,” Sasso said. “Because we know if we’re fouling the ball of them or in the game with them, we can be in the game with anyone.”
Known all over the state for their aggressiveness on the bases, both stealing and taking extra bases and creating havoc for the opposing team, Morris Knolls was in top form on Saturday.
The Golden Eagles trailed 2-0 early but Morris Knolls showed early what it was willing to do when Julia Fox stole third with two outs in the top of the first.
From there, coach Keith Heinemann gave his team a perpetual green light and the Golden Eagles took advantage, scoring five in the bottom of the third thanks to a two-RBI double by Fox, two stolen bases in the inning and runners advancing from first to second on several throws.
They put up two in the bottom of the fourth and then after getting six straight base runners to begin the bottom of the fifth, All-State shortstop Taylor Heinemann walked things off with an RBI single to deep center and end it 12-2.
And after a 1-3 start to the year, Knolls has won three in a row.
“We just had to figure some things out on our end those first couple of games,” Heinemann said. “I think any time you can apply pressure to people, it’s good. Whether you’re hitting doubles or running the bases, you make them play.”
Even after an eight run win over St. Mary (Ruth.), Watchung Hills coach Brian Figueiredo gave his team an impassioned plea.
The Warriors led 1-0 for much of the game and then 2-0 before an eight run sixth inning helped propel them to a 10-2 lead.
All-State pitcher Riley Bobrowski was lights out to start the game for the state’s No. 4 team, retiring the first seven St. Mary’s batters in a row and tossing a no-hitter through the first three innings, but Figueiredo still wanted more.
The Warriors beat Summit, 1-0 in eight innings, beat Union County champs Dayton 1-0 as well and beat reigning Somerset County champs Immaculata in eight innings and were close to another close result against a non-conference opponent.
“I just thought we could have had a little better mindset today,” Figueiredo said. “Some of these non-conference games, teams are up against us and want to play and beat us and we’ve got to make sure we’re answering the call.”
The Warriors managed only six hits, but drew 13 walks as Bobrowski notched two hits and drove in two runs en route to tossing four innings, K’ing nine and walking just one.
All-State utility player Mia Simon came in and pitched the last two innings, giving up two hits, two walks and two earned runs while striking out five and the Warriors deployed two courtesy/pinch runners and two pinch hitters as well, showing off their depth in the process.
“We have a varsity roster this year where we have a lot of comparable parts with no real drop off in spots,” Figueiredo said.
And while Watchung Hills is focused on playing its best softball in late May and early June, Figueiredo did acknowledge that if the Warriors
“I hate to see it, but you have to learn a tough lesson sometimes,” he said. “We’ve been in a lot of close games and we’ve managed to pull them out. But when you keep the other team in the game, you set yourself up for the worst outcome.”
Perhaps no one delivered a bigger hit on Saturday than Morris Catholic’s sophomore third baseman Rachel Dunn.
The Crusaders — ranked No. 13 in the state — seemed to be on the wrong end of a dominant pitching outing by No. 10 Middletown North and its ace, Seton Hall-bound Madi Boyce.
Boyce was perfect through the first five innings, with 13 strikeouts.
“We didn’t follow our plan as much as I would’ve liked to, but credit to her, she threw really, really well,” Morris Catholic coach Nick DeGennaro said.
But then came the sixth inning.
Natalie Carovillano broke up Boyce’s perfect game after getting hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and after Boyce got two straight strikeouts, Savannah Mead broke up the no-hitter and singled to send Carovillano to third. A Sofia Reisinger walk loaded the bases with two outs and that’s when Dunn delivered the knockout blow.
END 6 | Morris Catholic breaks this game wide open on a 3-run double off the wall by Rachel Dunn. Crusaders lead 3-0. pic.twitter.com/FLZ85Vk4Y7
And though Dunn hit just .200 last year, she’s raised her average 185 points this year and proven herself to be one of the biggest drivers of this Morris Catholic team.
“She was right on the whole game, so if there was a kid that was going to be up in that moment, we wanted it to be her with the way she was swinging the bat,” DeGennaro said.
Dunn felt her confidence grow from last year to this year she got more acclimated to the level of play and the speed of the game. And while she hadn’t yet faced a pitcher of Boyce’s caliber this season, she channeled that confidence as the game went on as well.
It also helped that Morris Catholic’s ace Sofia Reisinger pitched a gem of her own, allowing just one hit and three walks while striking out seven, keeping Morris Catholic in the game with every pitch and every out.
And after a 1-2 start, the Crusaders have won five in a row and haven’t given up more than three runs in any of those games.
“This team wants to be coached,” DeGennaro said. “They’re singularly focused on getting better and winning games and that’s why why we’re successful right now.”
The final game of the day pitted No. 6 Cedar Grove against No. 7 Immaculate Heart, and almost immediately, it was apparent that a slugfest was about to ensue.
It was a 4-3 game after the first inning as both Cedar Grove and IHA got hard hit balls, including one by Cayce Kavakich that left the yard for Cedar Grove en route to a 13-7 win.
From there, the two teams traded blows back and forth until IHA’s three-time All-State catcher Gabby Shadek launched her first of two home runs over the centerfield fence to put Immaculate Heart up 6-5 after four innings.
Both sides went scoreless in the fifth before Cedar Grove exploded for eight runs in the sixth inning and put the game away for good.
Marina Bryant led the team with three RBI, while Gia Fernandez, Ava Oeckel, Gabby Florre and Kavakich all drove in multiple runs and Fernandez, Oeckel, Kavakich and Florre each had multiple hits as well.
Jake Aferiat can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him at @Jake_Aferiat.
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