By BRIAN TORTELLA
Correspondent
On X @tortreports
NEWARK — Emma Dick knew she would have big shoes to fill replacing the graduated Olivia George, who pitched the Gloucester High softball team through a phenomenal playoff run en route to the NJSIAA Group 2 state title in 2024.
“No,” she said, when asked if she thought she could fill George’s shoes. “I came in here and I’ve been working my butt off all summer, and I was ready to come back and claim my spot. I feel great about it.”
That hard work paid off.
Dick capped off an excellent junior campaign, leading the Lions back to the state championship game and recording three strikeouts while allowing just two hits as Gloucester defeated Hanover Park, 3-2, on Friday to win its second consecutive state championship. She held the Hornets hitless until the final inning.
“(Emma) sticks with the game plan. Every game, we have a certain game plan. We do a lot of scouting and things like that, so we talk a lot about each batter and where we should be putting it and things like that,” Gloucester coach Megan Mason said. “And she just sticks to it and as long as she throws first-pitch strikes, we’re in a good position to make some plays. You saw some of those web gems that we made today.”
“She really came up huge this year for us after pitching limited innings last year and none in the postseason,” Mason continued. “And for her to really step up and mentally be in it this year — there’s a lot of things that (fans and media) don’t know what goes on with these girls behind the scenes. And for them to come through some adversity, especially Emma; I’m going to cry talking about it because I’m so proud of her.”
The Lions fell behind 1-0 early on a throwing error in the second inning but responded in the fourth with a two-out RBI single by Gabbie Maldonado to tie the game.
Kaelyn Zearfoss gave the Lions a one-run lead in the sixth inning with an RBI triple that nearly went over the fence, and Lauren Parry added a RBI single to extend the Lions’ lead to 3-1 heading into the final frame. Hanover Park tacked on a run in the seventh inning, but it was too little, too late.
“I honestly have no words for it,” Mason said. “These guys just put their heart and soul into every day, and they play for each other. That’s what this year was, just playing for those five seniors and pulling it out in the end. There’s a feeling that comes over us in those last six games where we put no pressure on ourselves. We kept saying ‘hey, we’re just out here having fun with our friends playing a simple game of softball.
“These last two years we have a feeling that anyone we play, we know we’re there with them and we’re not going to lose. I’m not trying to sound conceited or overconfident, but I guess to have that feeling to keep going this far.”
Zearfoss caught the last out in right field to end the game. In last year’s state title game, she caught the final out in a 3-2 victory. History repeated itself.
It was a Friday to remember for Zearfoss and the four other seniors as Gloucester’s graduation was the same night.
“It’s crazy and I have to graduate in four hours,” Zearfoss said. “I’m just overall amazed by how that game just turned out. It’s probably the best day of my life, honestly. Last year was a very special day, but I think this year since we have graduation and I am graduating high school after my last game ever, it’s probably the best day ever.
“Once I hit that ball and saw all their heads go down, I knew instantly that we were winning this game.”
Gloucester started the season with a 10-5 record through its first 15 games.
However, a wise man once said it’s not about how you start, it’s about how you finish.
The Lions rattled off 11 straight wins to finish the year, winning four of their six playoff games by one run.
“It was great. There was no bad about our season whatsoever, because if we didn’t get those losses in the beginning of the season, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” Dick said. “I’m just ready for a three-peat now for my senior year. I’m ready to come back and win it again.”
So, is “Gloucester Grit” real?
“Hell, yeah!” said an enthusiastic coach Mason. “I’m from Gloucester, born and raised. I put that uniform on for four years and you see it. It’s a ‘never quit’ attitude, it’s playing for each other, it’s the heart that you see. It’s what’s inside is what the ‘Gloucester Grit’ is.
“Every single one of these girls has it, and they’re not going to lose it for life, I’ll tell you that. I’m so happy that we can go back and celebrate graduation tonight. They really said it in that last huddle, ‘hey seniors we’re going to do this for you,’ and they did.”
They sure did.
Another title brought back to “Title Town.”
