Lady Spartan News
Lady Spartans Finish Season an Impressive 19-7; Kinhofer and Ambrosio Say Goodbye
While the Lady Spartans may currently be disappointed with the way their season concluded against RBC and Nottingham during the last few days in May, they will ultimately look back on what they accomplished this season and feel a sense of pride. With a final record of 19-7, which included a 9 game (5 shut out) win streak, there was plenty to be proud of this season.
While it is never fun to say goodbye, the Lady Spartans will graduate two incredible, four year varsity starters in Gianna Kinhofer and Jenna Ambrosio. Ambrosio, whose cannon-for-an-arm in right field actually scared coaches into holding runners at second base, finishes her career with an impressive 120 hits, 107 runs scored, and a .382 batting average.
Meanwhile, Kinhofer finishes her career holding a few school records, including 10 home runs this season and 16 career home runs. She also finishes with 136 career hits, 106 runs batted in, and 15 career shut outs as a pitcher for the Lady Spartans. Her bat was so feared that she was intentionally walked three times during the playoffs alone, once with no one on base! (talk about scared!)
The Lady Spartans will celebrate their impressive season with a picnic night with the Blueclaws on June 12th. Come out and hang with your favorite players on the first base line in Lakewood!
While it is never fun to say goodbye, the Lady Spartans will graduate two incredible, four year varsity starters in Gianna Kinhofer and Jenna Ambrosio. Ambrosio, whose cannon-for-an-arm in right field actually scared coaches into holding runners at second base, finishes her career with an impressive 120 hits, 107 runs scored, and a .382 batting average.
Meanwhile, Kinhofer finishes her career holding a few school records, including 10 home runs this season and 16 career home runs. She also finishes with 136 career hits, 106 runs batted in, and 15 career shut outs as a pitcher for the Lady Spartans. Her bat was so feared that she was intentionally walked three times during the playoffs alone, once with no one on base! (talk about scared!)
The Lady Spartans will celebrate their impressive season with a picnic night with the Blueclaws on June 12th. Come out and hang with your favorite players on the first base line in Lakewood!
Lady Spartans Roll into State Semis after Upset
For most of this season, the Ocean Township Softball Team has played the role of favorite in many of its games. On Thursday, however, the Lady Spartans embraced their role as underdog in their CJ III State Quarterfinal match-up against #3 seed Northern Burlington. Facing a 22-4 team with losses to only the top teams in Western NJ is no enviable task, but the Lady Spartans were up to the challenge. Senior captain Gianna "Super G" Kinhofer turned in one of the all-time clutch performances in Lady Spartan history, reaching base safely in all 5 of her at bats (final stat line: 3-3 with two homeruns, 5 RBI, and 2 walks). And oh yes, she also tossed a 4-hitter in the circle. Not bad for a day's work.
To give Super G all the credit would be inaccurate, however. Kinhofer was buoyed by several outstanding defensive plays, most notably by sophomore second baseman Makenzie Claire, sophomore first baseman Emily Butler, and junior shortstop Sabrina Batista. Senior captain Jenna "Jam-bro" Ambrosio also helped the cause with a big two-run hit to help put the Lady Spartans in control in the 5th.
The Lady Spartans now await the winner of Monday's quarterfinal match-up between #2 Middletown South and #7 Nottingham. The CJIII semifinal will be played later this week.
Ocean also welcomes RBC to Big Red Country after Friday's Shore Conference match-up was rained out. The two old B-North foes will renew their rivalry Monday at 10:00am. GO LADY SPARTANS!
To give Super G all the credit would be inaccurate, however. Kinhofer was buoyed by several outstanding defensive plays, most notably by sophomore second baseman Makenzie Claire, sophomore first baseman Emily Butler, and junior shortstop Sabrina Batista. Senior captain Jenna "Jam-bro" Ambrosio also helped the cause with a big two-run hit to help put the Lady Spartans in control in the 5th.
The Lady Spartans now await the winner of Monday's quarterfinal match-up between #2 Middletown South and #7 Nottingham. The CJIII semifinal will be played later this week.
Ocean also welcomes RBC to Big Red Country after Friday's Shore Conference match-up was rained out. The two old B-North foes will renew their rivalry Monday at 10:00am. GO LADY SPARTANS!
Lady Spartans Seeded #5 in Shore Conference and #6 in CJ III State Tournament
Mid-May is know for warmer weather, prom season, and of course, intense playoff softball. The Lady Spartans head into the playoffs with an impressive 17-5 record after defeats of Holmdel (a 3-0, 1-hit shutout from "Super G") and Middletown North (a 1-0 nail biter in which "Jam-Bro" put the Spartans up and "Super G" sent the Lions down). A minor set-back against a formidable Middletown South squad was the only blemish on an overall great week of softball from Ocean.
Next up is the Shore Conference Tournament, where the Lady Spartans will have to patiently wait as RBC and Mon Don battle it out for the right to come to Big Red Country next week. The bye week for Ocean will give players a chance to rest and recover from the grind of an intense 22 games stretch, and mentally prepare for what should be an exciting few weeks of playoff softball. GO LADY SPARTANS!
Next up is the Shore Conference Tournament, where the Lady Spartans will have to patiently wait as RBC and Mon Don battle it out for the right to come to Big Red Country next week. The bye week for Ocean will give players a chance to rest and recover from the grind of an intense 22 games stretch, and mentally prepare for what should be an exciting few weeks of playoff softball. GO LADY SPARTANS!
#7 Spartans Roll Huskies Behind Balanced Attack for 12th Shutout
The #7 Lady Spartans finished their B-North regular season with a 10-0 win over the Matawan Huskies on Tuesday, finishing with a respectable 10-2 B-North record. Leading the way was Kaitlyn Pascua, who hit her first career home run in the bottom of the 6th inning, and Gianna Kinhofer, who recorded her 12th shutout of the season.
Next up for the Lady Spartans: Three key non-divisional battles.
These are the final regular season games before Shore Conference and State seeds are set.
Go Lady Spartans!
Next up for the Lady Spartans: Three key non-divisional battles.
- @ Holmdel (5/9)
- Middletown South (5/11)
- @ Middletown North (5/13)
These are the final regular season games before Shore Conference and State seeds are set.
Go Lady Spartans!
Jersey Sporting News Article (Early May issue)
#7 Spartans Bounce Back vs. Bucs, Record 11th Shutout of the Season
The Lady Spartans rebounded from a bitter loss to Howell in the MCT Red Quarterfinals with an impressive 12-0 win over Red Bank on Friday, giving the Spartans their 11th shutout of the season, and improving their record to 14-4. Heading into the final week and a half of the regular season, the Lady Spartans have secured a second place finish in B-North, and according to the APP, they are the #7 ranked team in the Shore Conference. They complete their B-North season on Tuesday at home against Matawan, a 3:45pm start.
Ocean Tops Brick Memorial 3-0 on Kinhofer's 10th Shutout, 4th No-Hitter, 5th Homer
The Lady Spartans improved to 13-3 on the season thanks to an outstanding all-around performance by Gianna Kinhofer. Kinhofer recorded her 10th shutout of the year, her 4th no-hitter of the season, and added her second home run in as many days at the plate (5th home run of the season). It was quite the afternoon.
Next up for the Lady Spartans: A rematch with the Rebels of Howell, who became only the second team this season to defeat Ocean (a 4-0 win for Howell on April 27). This time, however, the stakes are a bit higher, with a spot in the MCT semifinals on the line.
Next up for the Lady Spartans: A rematch with the Rebels of Howell, who became only the second team this season to defeat Ocean (a 4-0 win for Howell on April 27). This time, however, the stakes are a bit higher, with a spot in the MCT semifinals on the line.
Jersey Sporting News Article (Late April issue)
2013 Season Slide-show
Special thanks to Dave Thorne for sharing his photographs with us!
Please visit: www.DaveThornePhotography.com if you are interested in purchasing any pictures.