Softball action across Central Jersey brought another week of remarkable performances, and we’re spotlighting the top contenders for the Player of the Week honor. Nominees include standouts from Mount St. Mary, Phillipsburg, Calvary Christian, South Plainfield, East Brunswick, North Brunswick, Union Catholic, Linden, and Hillsborough.
Isabella DeLuca (Mount St. Mary, third baseman) has reached base in every game this season, with hits in all but three contests. She went 5-for-10 last week, adding a double, a triple, three walks, five runs, and four RBIs. Her season stats include a .382 average, five doubles, and a triple.
Addison Fallon (Phillipsburg, senior) helped the Stateliners go 3-1, with wins over Hunterdon Central, Delaware Valley, and Easton. She batted 7-for-14 with four runs and five RBIs, including a 3-for-4, two-RBI performance against Central. Fallon is hitting .353 for the year.
Alexis Fazio (Calvary Christian, junior) drove in 11 runs in just two games, extending the Lions’ win streak to three. She went 3-for-3 with five RBIs against Mother Seton, then hit a grand slam and delivered a walk-off single in a rematch. Fazio is batting .553 with a .974 slugging percentage and 29 RBIs.
Ava Fusaro (South Plainfield, sophomore) went 6-for-14 with five RBIs as the team won three of four games. She keyed a divisional victory at Monroe with two hits and three RBIs. Fusaro’s season line (.414/.543) mirrors her standout freshman year. She has 56 career hits.
Christina Lee (East Brunswick, sophomore) has won six straight starts, yielding three runs with 29 strikeouts and one walk over the last 24 innings. As a leadoff hitter, she’s batting .431 with 28 hits, 26 runs, and 18 stolen bases. Her career ERA stands at 2.92 with 157 strikeouts.
Gabriella Melendez (North Brunswick, junior) went 12-for-14 with six RBIs last week, reaching her 100th career hit in a one-run win over South Brunswick. She leads the Raiders in batting (.544), slugging (.721), hits (37), and runs (36). Her career numbers include a .467 average and 53 RBIs.
Belina Pardo (Union Catholic, sophomore) helped the Vikings notch three impressive wins, going 10-for-12 with two doubles, two home runs, four runs, and eight RBIs. She’s batting .481 for the season with four doubles, two homers, and 13 runs.
Leah Vera (Linden, freshman) claimed victories in four of five games, including her first shutout and a 10-strikeout performance. She struck out 33 batters over 23 innings, recording a career-high 13 strikeouts in a county tournament win. Vera is 7-3 with 63 strikeouts in 53 innings.
Addison Whitney (Hillsborough, senior) led the Raiders to a 3-0 week, going 5-for-12 with two doubles, three runs, and five RBIs. Her veteran leadership has helped Hillsborough post a 17-1 record after two rebuilding seasons. She’s batting .397 with 10 doubles and 16 RBIs.
