MONTVILLE, NJ - Despite a hitless slump that spanned 10 at-bats and three games, Lauren Kideckel knew she was on the verge of breaking out.

It began with a 3-for-4 performance in a win over Parsippany Hills on Sunday, before going 1-for-2 in a loss to Morris Knolls on Monday.

She had a major challenge ahead of her in facing one of the top pitchers in the state in Roxbury's Hailey Errichiello on Tuesday. The junior rose to that challenge, belting two home runs with five RBI to lift Montville to a 5-1 win over Roxbury in the team's home opener at Montville Township High School on April 16.

“I think it was just this game and the last game against Morris Knolls, my swing has mechanically become a lot better," Kideckel said. "I thought it was coming soon. But everything clicked today."

Montville mustered just three hits off Errichiello in the game, with two being Kideckel's home runs, as well as a single from Julie Kobilarcik. 

"I’m just so proud of Lauren for having two really good at-bats against one of the top pitchers in the state, and got her first and second career home runs," Montville coach John Immediato said. "I’m so proud for her because I know she works so hard and you can see it pay off at the right time."

It was the team's third win in four games after starting the season 1-4, now holding a 4-5 record. It also marked the team's first divisional win in the very difficult NJAC-American Division.

“With the seniors that we lost and the new team that is on the field, it took us a little bit to start clicking," Immediato said. "The preseason is much shorter than it has been, and I think it hurt us a little bit being a less experienced team. You saw that in the first week when we didn’t play well, and then the second week we went 3-1 and started to turn the corner and do some good things. Coming into today, we had some confidence, especially with the experienced players who have faced Hailey before when we beat them in the county final (in 2022). I think one of the things that really jazzed our girls up today was that we played seven games on the road to start. The schedule went the way it did with a couple of rainouts, but they were excited to play at home and I think that really worked in our favor."

Montville received a terrific pitching performance from junior Daniella Biggio, who surrendered just one run on three hits, with 14 strikeouts and no walks. After a few difficult starts to open the year, she has given up three or less runs in her last four starts, while striking out 57 batters to just five walks.

“It felt good. It was kind of the first time that I’ve been in this situation against a good conference team, and we play in one of the best conferences in the state," Biggio said. "We got off to a little bit of a rough start this season in our conference. It felt good to have our home opener against a really good team in the conference and in the state.”

She added, "I think just sticking to our plan and having confidence in myself all winter and all year to prepare for this. Just going in with that mindset of attacking the batters and being confident in my teammates.”

Immediato believes his junior pitcher is really rounding into form over her last few starts.

"Dani, the last four outings for her have been off the charts," Immediato said. "10-12 strikeouts, not really giving up any runs, she’s pitching like the pitcher I know she can be. The field behind her played great today making all the plays."

Montville will be back in action at home on Thursday, April 18 when it hosts Randolph at 4 p.m.

Author : Mike Gurnis

Source Url : https://www.tapinto.net/towns/montville/sections/sports/articles/kideckel-biggio-lift-montville-softball-to-big-win-over-roxbury

News Source : https://www.tapinto.net/towns/montville/sections/sports/articles/kideckel-biggio-lift-montville-softball-to-big-win-over-roxbury