VIDEO, PHOTO GALLERY: Cruz’s debut drives Middle past Cape Tech

April 29, 2022

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – A sublime debut performance by Gabby Cruz helped the Middle Township High School softball team snap a five-game losing streak Thursday afternoon.

Cruz, sophomore who recently became eligible after transferring from Our Lady of Mercy Academy, struck out 16 Cape May Tech batters in 6 ⅔ innings of relief to pace Middle to a 14-5 victory.

Cruz scattered five hits and walked just two. She gave up just one, in the bottom of the seventh.

Juliet Thompson had three hits and four runs scored and Isbella D’Alonzo went 2 for 5 with a double and three RBI to lead Middle’s offense. Lily Vogel and Grace Thompson each added two hits and an RBI.

Middle (4-9) led from start to finish after scoring five runs in the top of the first inning. Cape May Tech rallied for four runs in the bottom of the first before Cruz came on in relief and was mostly dominant from there.

Devin Muir and Sophia Nemeth each had two hits and Kayliegh Rhodes added a hit and two RBI for Cape May Tech (3-6).

Middle Township's Juliet Thompson tosses the ball into the infield after a Cape May Tech base hit.
Cape May Tech shortstop Sophia Nemeth throws to first base as pitcher Johanna Longstreet (foreground) looks on.
Adelia Ogden of Cape May Tech throws to first base.
Middle Township shortstop Lily Vogel throws to first base.
Middle Township's Juliet Thompson slides safely into third base as Cape May Tech third baseman Adelia Ogden looks on.
Middle Township's Alexis Yaeckel squares to bunt.
Johanna Longstreet of Cape May Tech fires a pitch.
Middle Township second baseman Kailyn Jamison throws to first for an out after fielding a ground ball.
Middle Township pitcher Gabby Cruz delivers.
Middle Township third baseman Grace Thompson awaits a throw as Cape May Tech's Devin Muir dives safely back to the bag.