May 20, 2012

North Bergen celebrates after winning the Hudson County Softball Tournament. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Hoboken vs North Bergen Softtball Photo Gallery

JERSEY CITY – The last time Kayla Muniz played at NJCU's Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex, she had made the final out at second base as her heavily-favored North Bergen team was stunned by Union City in the championship game.

What a difference a year makes.

Muniz, one of the few holdovers from last year's team, slugged two home runs to power second-seeded North Bergen to a 7-3 victory over Hoboken in the finals of the Hudson County Tournament.

"I just expected to have a good game," said Muniz, calling this game redemption for a year ago. "It's my senior year, go out with a bang."

It didn't take long for Muniz to accomplish that goal as she deposited a Jayla Vega curve ball over the centerfield fence to make it 2-0 in the top of the first inning.

"I was just expecting to hit," Muniz said. "I was just waiting for that one pitch to drive."

"Last year she played well in the championship game and she's really been hitting the ball great," North Bergen coach Tom Eagleson said. "I just had a feeling it was going to be her or Nerylix (Cerda) who were going to have the key hits. Kayla in the first inning, that was big, the two-run homer. She was just fabulous."

After top-seeded Hoboken (21-3) tied the game with a run in the bottom of the first and a RBI single from Amanda Cruz in the fourth, Muniz knew it was time for her and Cerda to respond.

"I was ready to get up," Muniz said. "I told Nerylix right before that it was time for us to start a rally. She started it and I just had to continue it."

Cerda, the Bruins' number three hitter, led off the bottom of the sixth with a double off the fence in center. Muniz followed by launching a 1-1 fastball over the leftfield fence to give second-seeded North Bergen the lead for good.

"The second home runs was the most important," Muniz said. "It got us going, to start a rally and get us back ahead in the game."

Hoboken cut the deficit to one when Kayla Morrissette scored on a Jessica Feria wild pitch in the bottom of the sixth. But like she had done on multiple occasions, Feria would settle down and minimize the damage.

With the tying run on third and no outs, Feria got the next three batters out to protect the slim North Bergen (20-4) lead.

"I try to be in the zone and just focus on the batter, not focus on anyone that's on the bases," said Feria, who picked up her 20th win of the season. "I just try to be calm and pitch."

"We made the plays when we had to," Eagleson said. " Jessica, even though she didn't have her greatest stuff, came through. Hoboken's a great team."

Cerda would put the Red Wings away with a RBI single in the top of the seventh. After an intentional walk to Muniz, Sabrina Reyes drew a bases loaded walk to plate another run and when the pitch skipped to the backstop, Cerda came around to score from second base to make it 7-3.

Cerda was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Thalia Garcia was 1-for-3 with a walk and run. Feria allowed two earned runs on six hits, two walks and a hit batter with seven strikeouts.

Vega allowed eight hits and three walks with four strikeouts. Morrissette had two runs and Sybil Lynch reached base three times.

"It feels so much better this year," said Feria, a reserve last season. "People doubted us after losing 12 seniors. No one thought we would make it here. But we worked our way up as the underdog and we did it. I can't believe it."

Sophomore Kayla Morrissette was 2-for-3 with two runs scored for Hoboken. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Hoboken vs North Bergen Softtball Photo Gallery