Notre Dame High School junior pitcher Rylee Michalak has taken a big jump up this year from a two-time all-non-public selection to someone who is on the way to being all-state.
The Irish have taken a big step up as well, defeating then-No. 1 Donovan Catholic in a statement win and sitting at No. 2 in the state with a 17-1 record.
The two are not mutually exclusive. Michalak has a 0.27 ERA and 160 strikeouts in 79 innings. She had 1.52 and 1.62 ERAs the last two seasons.
“I just think I have a whole new confidence level and maturity level on the mound,” said Michalak. “It’s not as much of an emotional game as it was. There’s still a lot of fire and emotion but I’ve separated it from getting nervous, feeling the pressure too much to being able to thrive under the pressure and that’s a huge step for me.”
In three games over the last week, Michalak went to head-to-head with Donovan Catholic’s Julia Apostolakos, Hillsborough’s Sarah Davenport and Haddon Heights’ Sophia Bordi – three first-team all-state pitchers – and came out 2-1, allowing just a single run in 23 innings.
“We’re asking a lot out of her, no moment is too big for her, I see her first thing in the morning on game days at school and she’s locked in and she stays locked in all day,” said Notre Dame coach Chris Jackson. “When she gets off the bus, she’s all business. I never worry about her being ready to go, bringing the emotion and intensity. She’s a competitor and that’s the type of kid she is.”
Shore Conference tourney under way: The first round of the Shore Conference tournament was held Thursday and it went pretty much chalk. The only upset was 17th-seeded Matawan defeating 16th-seeded Howell, 8-6.
St. John Vianney is the No. 1 seed and Donovan Catholic the No. 2. There are a few potential scintillating quarterfinals as third-seeded Red Bank Catholic could face sixth-seeded Middletown North and fourth-seeded Jackson might face fifth-seeded Colts Neck.
Must-see games
Mercer County semifinals, Saturday
The Mercer County tournament is arguably the best in the state and it’s not only because of the high caliber of competition, but with the last few rounds at Armstrong Park in Ewing it has a great atmosphere and also helps keep the tournament on schedule.
Long-time rivals Steinert and Robbinsville face off at 11 a.m. while Notre Dame takes on Hightstown at 1 p.m. The winners will be back in the park on Tuesday night for the championship game.
Manasquan at Colts Neck, Tuesday
The 2021 Group 3 state champion, Colts Neck is back in contention with a young 1-2 pitching tandem of Angela Sasso and Sam Sponder. Sophomores Danni Forrester and Lindsay Fuller have led Manasquan to a 16-5 record with 58 hits, 43 runs and 45 RBI.
Jackson at Robbinsville, Thursday
This inter-conference matchup should be a dandy. Jackson has just one loss and was ranked until this past week, while the Ravens are the 16th-ranked team in the state.
Robbinsville is one of the state’s top Group 3 contenders, while Jackson should be in the sectional-title mix at the very least in Group 4.
Rankings
- 1-St. John Vianney (19-0)
- 2-Notre Dame (17-1)
- 3-Donovan Catholic (21-1)
- 4-Hillsborough (18-1)
- 5-Hunterdon Central (17-3)
- 6-St. Thomas Aquinas (18-2)
- 7-North Hunterdon (18-3)
- 8-Robbinsville (15-4)
- 9-Cranford (16-4)
- 10-Red Bank Catholic (18-5)
Statistical leaders
Hits
Extra-base hits
Home runs
Runs
RBI
Stolen Bases
Strikeouts
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Jake Aferiat covers the Big North, GMC, HCIAL, NJAC, NJIC, SEC, Skyland and UCC. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Aferiat.
Bill Evans covers the BCSL, CAL, Colonial, Colonial Valley Conference, Olympic, Shore and Tri-County Conference. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @bybillevans.