VIDEO, PHOTOS: Cruz hits strikeout milestone as Middle picks up big conference victory

Posted: May 3rd 2024

Middle Township's Gabby Cruz recorded her 500th career strikeout in a 2-1 win over Buena Thursday.

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The players from the Middle Township High School softball team created some lasting memories Thursday afternoon.

The Lady Panthers rallied from an early deficit to post one of their biggest victories of the season and saw their own standout player reach a significant milestone in the process.

Middle plated two runs in the sixth inning to edge perennial Cape-Atlantic League power Buena, 2-1, in an important conference game.

Along the way, senior pitcher Gabby Cruz surpassed 500 career strikeouts.

Buena scored a first-inning run on an RBI groundout to take an early lead. The score remained that way until the sixth, when Middle’s Dakota Laughlin scored on an error to tie the game. Later in the frame, Lily Vogel singled home Payton DeVecchis to put the Lady Panthers in front for the first time.

Cruz entered the game needing seven strikeouts to reach 500 for her career. She got her seventh of the game with one out in the seventh inning and the tying run on second base. The game was stopped for a brief celebration. After play resumed, Middle recorded the final out on the next Buena batter to seal the victory.

Cruz allowed only one hit and walked four. Middle was excellent in the field behind her, committing just one error.

Kahlan Schaffer and Emma Messer also each had hits for Middle, which improved to 7-6 overall, 4-2 in CAL National games. Buena fell to 10-4, 7-2.

Cruz played her freshman season at Our Lady of Mercy Academy before transferring to Middle Township during the winter of her sophomore year. She had to sit out the first 30 days of her sophomore softball season due to the NJSIAA transfer rules in place at the time. She has been Middle Township’s primary pitcher since becoming eligible to play in the middle of the 2022 season.

Cruz is set to play college softball at Division III Misericordia University.

(Video clip courtesy MTHS athletics.)

Middle Township's Sydnie Hunter catches a low throw for an out at first base.

Middle Township's Tori Atwood fouls off a pitch in the first inning.

Elle Curvan of Middle Township's dives back safely to first base.

Middle Township's Kahlan Schaffer takes a swing at a pitch.

Middle Township's Juliet Thompson looks to make contact at the plate.

Middle Township's Grace Hall makes a throw to first base.

Middle Township shortstop Dakota Laughlin prepares to throw out a Buena runner after fielding a ground ball.