Top photo caption: The St John Vianney softball team proudly displays its SCT championship banner after defeating Donovan Catholic in the title game at Count Basie Field in Red Bank. Courtesy photo
By Rich Fisher, Contributing Editor
The most impressive aspect about the St. John Vianney, Holmdel, softball team is that it’s as young as it is good.
With just two seniors on the roster and four freshmen starting, the state’s No. 1 ranked team has amassed a 26-0 record and a Shore Conference Tournament title heading into its May 29 NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public A opener against 7th-seeded Immaculata.
The Lancers faced familiar foe Donovan Catholic, Toms River, in the May 21 SCT final at Red Bank’s Count Basie Field. The Griffins were defending champion after losing to the Lancers in the title game two seasons ago. In 2023, Donovan Catholic beat SJV in the final.
The see-saw swung back the Lancers’ way this year as they took a 5-1 victory over a DC team that is 25-2.
Senior Madison McDougall fueled the effort, pitching a four-hitter with 11 strikeouts and giving herself some insurance with an RBI single in the fourth and a two-run homer in the sixth.
It’s hard to imagine her season was in peril last winter.
“We actually didn’t know if she would be able to play this season,” said her mom, coach Kim Lombardi-McDougall.
The Monmouth-bound standout was suffering from L4-L5 herniated discs, which produced shooting pain down her back. McDougall had surgery on Dec. 1 and did no physical activity for 12 weeks. Six weeks after the initial operation, a second surgery was needed.
Both physical therapy in March and Pilates helped greatly. The ace hurler was eased back into throwing and only pitched six times prior to opening day.
It seemed to work, along with muscle memory, as McDougall allowed two runs in her first eight games while firing six shutouts.
“The learning kicked in,” Lombardi-McDougall said. “She’s been pitching since she was four, so it’s like riding a bike for her. But it was unbelievable.”
McDougall returned on mission along with shortstop Gabby Gonzalez, the Lancers’ other senior. They are not used to losing and felt empty after coming up short in the SCT and state tournament last year.
Their hunger is why Lombardi-McDougall felt her young team was still poised for greatness this season.
“After they had down years (by SJV standards), they did not want to go out without a fighting chance,” the coach said. “As long as Madison was healthy, I felt like she and Gabby were definitely going to come out and do exactly what they did. They had tremendous seasons their first three years, but this year has exceeded every expectation I could ever imagine.”
McDougall has a 0.25 ERA and 270 strikeouts in 142-1/3 innings and became the 27th pitcher in New Jersey history to record over 1,000 career strikeouts. She is hitting .612 with 12 home runs and 56 RBI while Gonzalez is batting .527 with 11 homers and 39 RBI.
“I couldn’t ask for two better leaders on the field, off the field,” Lombardi-McDougall said. “They’re really taking these girls under their wing. They’re leading by example and they’re positive role models.”
The youth got its chance to shine in the SCT final. After Caroline Kopp’s RBI triple gave Donovan a 1-0 lead in the top of the third. SJV came back to load the bases in the bottom of the inning. Freshman Olivia Haslacher, after wasting several two-strike pitches, delivered a two-run single to give the Lancers the lead for good.
“That was huge,” Lombardi-McDougall said. “They score a run and all of a sudden, they’re like, ‘Yeah we have a shot to beat them.’ … It was just a big spot for our freshman to get the job done.”
For Haslacher, it’s a continuation of her “comeback tour.”
“She’s just been getting stronger and stronger,” Lombardi-McDougall said. “She was my DH from day one. She had a little bit of trouble against Steinert and another team. I didn’t bat her for two games and I thought I would give her another shot and she’s been in my lineup ever since and doing a great job.”
While Haslacher handles DH, the infield features sophomore Lexie Csontos (first base), freshman Molly Plath (second base), Gonzalez (shortstop), junior Brynn Utter (third base), McDougall (pitcher) and sophomore Olivia Lombardi (catcher). Outfielders are Madison’s younger sister, freshman Peyton McDougall (right field), junior Mia Favato (center) and freshman Maddie Richter (left).
Seven starters are hitting over .400 as the Lancers have a team average of .428.
SJV now sets its sights on winning its third South Jersey and Non-Public A state titles in four years and will probably see Donovan Catholic again before it’s over.
“You gotta play your best game,” Lombardi-McDougall said. “I feel like the South Jersey champion has to play for two state championships because South Jersey is so good.”