(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski) caption: FEELING THE BURN: Byrne Fahey of the Cougars takes a swing last Saturday in the championship game of the Hopewell Tournament at Quarry Field. Second baseman Fahey helped the Cougars nip the Golden Bears 3-2 as the two Princeton Girls Softball Association (PGSA) squads battled for the title of the eight-team juniors league competition involving players ages 13-15.

Lifted by Nehlig’s Clutch Hitting, Fielding Gem, Cougars Edge Golden Bears for Softball Crown

Bill Alden

Taylor Nehlig wasn’t overly concerned even though her Cougars found themselves trailing the Golden Bears 2-0 after two innings last Saturday in the championship game of the Hopewell Tournament at Quarry Field.

The Golden Bears scored one run in each of the first two frames in the matchup which featured the two Princeton Girls Softball Association (PGSA) squads who advanced to the title game of the eight-team juniors league competition involving players ages 13-15.

“I was a little worried but I knew that Charlotte [Gray] is a really good pitcher so I had faith in her,” said Nehlig of the Cougar ace who pitched well this spring for the Princeton High softball team.

“Madison [Cahill-Sanidas] is a really good catcher; she can make the long throws.”

Nehlig, a rising Hun School freshman, made her presence felt in the top of the fourth, pounding out a key RBI single to help spark a two-run rally as the Cougars knotted the game at 2-2.

“I wasn’t expecting that; when I hit it, I knew I should run through it,” recalled Nehlig of her shot up the middle off Golden Bear ace Jessica Campisi, a freshman hurler this spring for PHS. “She was pitching really well; I had to time myself.”

In the bottom of the inning, Nehlig showed some good timing in the field as she helped keep the game tied, snaring a line drive smash at third and preventing a possible extra-base hit.

“Sandhya [Kaul] called it so I probably shouldn’t have gotten it but it happened so fast,” said Nehlig.

The Cougars got the lead in the sixth, scratching out a run in the top of the sixth to forge ahead. Things got dicey in the bottom of the seventh as the Cougars had to hold off a Golden Bear rally to pull out a 3-2 nailbiter.

Nehlig acknowledged there were some anxious moments as the Golden Bears loaded the bases in their last at-bat.

“I was a little nervous because we were only winning by one and they are a really good team,” said Nehlig, who went 2-for-3 on the day with an RBI.

It was a really good feeling for Nehlig to get a title. She celebrated with her teammates as they were presented with trophies and then posed for several photos.

“It is one of our last years in recreation softball,” said Nehlig. “I don’t think I have ever won a championship so it was good.”

In Nehlig’s view, the championship was the product of some inspired teamwork.

“We all work together so it kind of flowed,” said Nehlig. “We knew what to do and the right time to do it.”

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