Rancocas Valley wins own softball tourney

The soggy saga of the two-weekend Rancocas Valley Elite Softball Tournament ended Saturday with a number of host-school heroes who battled through the elements.

As wind and rain swept the Sports Complex in Eastampton from about the fourth inning on, Rancocas Valley (8-1) came from behind twice to pull out an 11-10 victory over previously undefeated Buena (10-1) and win its first trophy since the tournament started seven years ago.

Rachel Simodejka had the hit that won the game, a hobbling Alissa Martin came on in relief of a weary freshman to get the victory, and the Gaskill sisters lifted the Red Devils when it appeared they were sinking.

Meanwhile, Brittany Scott, who had pitched Buena to a 4-1 victory over Gloucester City in a semifinal, was a workhorse who hurled the entire second game, yielding 11 runs on eight hits. She also struck out six and walked seven.

Simodejka's hit came in the bottom of the sixth inning with the score tied, 8-8. With two outs, the sophomore centerfielder blasted a three-run triple to center.

"It felt really good," Simodejka said. "We all came together as a team, and it felt good getting the hit for our team in order to win the game."

Buena battled back in the seventh to come within a run, as Karlie Gruccio stroked a one-out RBI single to left and Jessica Rijos singled in a run with two outs.

But Martin got Natalie Gianrascoli to fly to Mallory Pace in shallow right field to end the game.

"Even with one leg, she did what she could to make sure the ball went over the plate," RV coach Erin Mattio said about Martin, who played with an injured shin bone. "We had so much confidence in our defense that she let them hit it and we just needed to make plays."

Buena was leading, 3-2, in the top of the fourth when Martin replaced a tiring Gabby Pfeiffer, who had pitched the Red Devils to a 4-3 victory over Audubon in Saturday morning's semifinals.

"I pitched two games in a row for varsity, so it was killing me," Pfeiffer said of her arm. "I didn't want to push it harder because I know we have more games this week."

Sophomore Alexis Gaskill gave RV a 5-4 lead in the fourth inning when she smacked a two-run single to center field, scoring Lauren Gaskill, her older sister, and Jessica Dotson.

Lauren Gaskill, one of the best shortstops in the state, got on base four times, scored three runs, and stole four bases.

"This win means a lot," Lauren Gaskill said. "We won our tournament. It's my senior year, so I'm happy."

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

 Buena   0121402 - 10113

Rancocas Valley   200306x - 1183

WP: Alissa Martin. LP: Brittany Scott. 2B: B-Ashley Surran; RV-Lauren Gaskill. 3B: RV-Rachel Simodejka.