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Second-team all-state softball, 2024
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2024 Softball All-State Second Team - Madison Dollard of Egg Harbor, Izzy Cino of Donovan Catholic, Jordan Strauss of Haddon Township, and Delilah Tabaka of Wallington.Scott Faytok | NJ Advance Media
By
The 2024 softball season is in the books, and it was another entertaining season.
Now all that is left is to hand out the honors and one of the top is the all-state team.
Just 42 players can be chosen all-state in every given season and only 14 are selected to be second team.
Below are those 14 all-state players. We’ll give you the names and accomplishments that make them among the most elite.
The 14 players represent 12 schools - No. 2 Mount St. Dominic and No. 5 Donovan Catholic had two each.
Below check out our second-team all-state softball all-stars. Players are listed alphabetically by position.
Madison Dollard (24) of Egg Harbor holds the trophy after defeating St. Joseph (HAMM.) in the Cape-Atlantic League softball final at St. Joseph Academy, in Hammonton, NJ on Monday, May 20, 2024.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance
P: Madison Dollard, Egg Harbor, Sr.
As Egg Harbor’s season threatened to spiral out of control, Dollard helped right the ship, pitching shutouts against Vineland and St. Joseph (Hamm.) to give Egg Harbor a third consecutive Cape-Atlantic League Tournament title. She also helped Egg Harbor upset top-seeded Kingsway in a South Jersey Group 4 semifinal to reach a second sectional final in her career. The right-hander Dollard is a Farleigh Dickinson commit. She finished her senior season with a pristine 1.15 ERA with a WHIP below 1.00 and 266 strikeouts. Dollard was a third-team all-state selection last year.
P: Gracie Granate, Haddon Heights, Sr.
A team that was reliant on 2023 state Player of the Year Sophia Bordi needed someone to step up when Bordi was limited to just 10 1/3 innings this season and then suffered an injury that caused her to miss the final 10 games of the season, taking her bat out of the lineup. Granate, who is committed to Central Connecticut State as a pitcher, was that person. After pitching just 16 innings the last two seasons combined, Granate threw 135 this year. She posted a 1.50 ERA with 244 strikeouts and a WHIP under 1.00 and led the Garnets back to the South Jersey Group 2 final for the third straight season, where they fell 1-0 to eventual state champion Gloucester. Heights set a state public-school record with 18 consecutive playoff wins. The left-hander also had a nice year at the plate, where she batted .371 with 10 extra-base hits, 17 RBI and 14 walks.
Pitcher Ava Kelshaw on the mound in the top of the 5th as Mount St. Dominic beats Cedar Grove in the Essex County softball final, Monday, May 20, 2024, at Ivy Hill Park in South Orange, N.J. Mount won, 9-7.Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
P: Ava Kelshaw, Mount St. Dominic, Fr.
Kelshaw emerged as the ace this year for one of the state’s top teams. Thanks to her exploits in the circle, Mount finished the year ranked No. 2 in the state and set a program record with 30 wins. She was 14-2 against teams that were ranked inside the Top 20 at various points, as she dominated against one of the state’s toughest schedules. She tossed 174 innings, giving up 113 hits and walking just 32 for a WHIP well under 1.00, while also striking out 229 with a 1.25 ERA in that span as well. She also hit .333 with 13 hits, including six for extra bases.
Kate Heslin (24) of Morris Catholic strokes a single to center that drove in a run in the bottom of the 4th to give the Crusaders a 4-0 lead against St. Joseph (Hamm.) in the NJSIAA Non-Public B softball final at Kean University, Thursday, June 6, 2024.Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
C: Kate Heslin, Morris Catholic, Sr.
The UMass-bound slugger is one of the state’s top power hitters and one of the most versatile as well. Called upon late in the season to spark the Crusaders’ offense, Heslin batted leadoff down the stretch, rare for a catcher. She also called every pitch behind the plate this year as she clubbed 12 homers and drove in 40 runs while hitting .500 for a Top 20 Morris Catholic team. She came up big in the Morris County final and in the state tournament as well, demonstrating a clutch gene all year long and thriving under pressure.
Jillian Cianfrocca (1, left) of Mount St. Dominic hangs onto the bag after St. John Vianney shortstop Gabby Gonzalez couldn’t handle the throw during in the NJSIAA Non-Public A softball final at Kean University, Thursday, June 6, 2024. Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
INF: Jillian Cianfrocca, Mount St. Dominic, So.
After a strong freshman year at Gill St. Bernard’s, Cianfrocca transferred to Mount St. Dominic and took her game to another level. She hit .500 this year and did a bit of everything in the process. In addition to playing solid defense at first base, she showed impressive power and speed as Mount’s No. 2 hole hitter. She tallied 48 hits and scored 44 runs, driving in 36 while tallying 28 extra base hits along the way, including eight homers. Add in 26 walks and five steals, and Cianfrocca was one of the most dynamic and important pieces on one of the state’s best teams.
Alana Chetaitis (1) of Ramsey is fired up after making an impressive diving catch against Gloucester during the girls lacrosse NJSIAA Group 2Final at Ivy Hill Park at Seton Hall University in West Orange, NJ on Friday, June 7, 2024.Tom Horak | For NJ Advance Media
INF: Alana Chetaitis, Ramsey, Sr.
The latest in a long line of talented Ramsey infielders, Chetaitis anchored the infield at shortstop, giving the Rams a steady veteran presence on their way to the Group 2 final and a Top 20 finish. Chetaitis tallied 52 hits and hit .531 on the year with five homers and 21 extra base hits. The 52 hits put her in a four-way tie for third most in the state this season. She was also a strong fielder and drew 13 walks, stole nine bases and scored a whopping 40 runs while driving in 36, so she was able to produce in multiple facets of the game.
Christina Ginex (24) of Donovan Catholic takes a swing during the softball game between Egg Harbor and Donovan Catholic at Donovan Catholic Athletic Complex in Toms River, NJ on May 9, 2023.Richard O'Donnell | For NJ Advan
INF: Christina Ginex, Donovan Catholic, Jr.
Ginex becomes a three-time all-state selection, earning her second second-team nod after being named third team as a freshman. In her third year as the starting shortstop, this was Ginex’s best overall season. She hit .471 with 35 runs scored and career highs of 43 RBI and eight home runs. Overall, she posted 20 extra-base hits. She was 4-for-7 with three runs scored and three RBI - including a big extra-inning, bases-loaded double in the Shore Conference final - in two games against No. 1 St. John Vianney.
Mia Pope (9) of Steinert makes the grab at second during the NJSIAA Group 3 final softball game between Morris Knolls and Steinert at Ivy Hill Park in Newark, NJ on Friday, June 7, 2024.Mile Djordjiovski | For NJ Advance Media
INF: Mia Pope, Steinert, So.
Pope was the top hitter on the state Group 3 champion and New Jersey’s No. 4 team. She posted 51 hits for a .531 average, scored 36 runs to lead the Spartans and also knocked in 18. Pope was patient, drawing 12 walks, and efficient on the basepaths with 15 stolen bases. Her walk-off hit in the bottom of the seventh inning gave Steinert a 2-1 win over Moorestown in the Group 3 state semifinal and she scored two runs in the 8-1 state final victory over Morris Knolls.
Christian Ginex (24) of Donovan Catholicc celebrates with Isabella Cino (6) after scoring a run against St. John Vianney during the softball Shore County Tournament Final at Count Basie Park in Red Bank, NJ on Tuesday May 21, 2024.Tom Horak | For NJ Advance Media
OF: Izzy Cino, Donovan Catholic, Fr.
In her freshman year, Cino found herself delivering home runs in the biggest spots. Her two-out home run in the seventh inning beat Kingsway in the South Jersey Classic. Cino added a big long ball in an 11-9 win over Livingston and helped the Griffins rally from a 5-0 deficit against St. John Vianney in the Shore Conference final and also tagged St. John Vianney Player of the Year Madison McDougall in the playoff game between the two teams. Overall, Cino batted .413 and hit nine home runs. She scored 31 runs and knocked in 23.
Leah Mears (22) of Vineland makes the catch in center field during the NJSIAA Group 4 Semifinal between Vineland and Marlboro at Marlboro High School in Marlboro, NJ on June 4, 2024.Richard O'Donnell | For NJ Advan
OF: Leah Mears, Vineland, Jr.
Mears took a huge step up this season and helped her team do the same, leading the Fighting Clan to a second Group 4 state final. Mears was 48-for-95 for a .505 average. She scored 34 runs and knocked in 42. Fourteen of Mears’ hits went for extra bases. She also walked 11 times and stole 23 bases to fill up the stat sheet in just about every area. After a 13-12 season in 2023, Vineland was 22-3 this year. Mears knocked in at least four runs on four occasions, including in a playoff win against Rancocas Valley. She also scored multiple runs 12 times.
Elena Weinseimer (3) of Manasquan, rounds second during an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 2 Playoff, at Delran High School, in Delran, NJ on Friday, May 26, 2023.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance
OF: Elena Weinseimer, Manasquan, Sr.
One of the Shore Conference’s top power hitters, Weinseimer hit 10 long balls this season, including two in a game on three occasions. Weinseimer finished the season with a .494 average and 38 hits. She scored 32 runs and knocked in 23. In her career, Weinseimer went deep 23 times. In her final game, she went 3-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored as Manasquan fell just short in a 6-4 loss to eventual sectional champion Johnson. Weinseimer is a Harvard commit.
Caitlin Gaetani (12) of Bayonne reacts after hitting a two run home run during the softball game between Weehawken and Bayonne at 64th Street Stadium in North Bergen, NJ on Saturday, May 18, 2024.John Jones | For NJ Advance Media
UT: Caitlin Gaetani, Bayonne, Jr.
After garnering first team All-Group 4 honors a year ago, Gaetani has elevated her play and found her way on an All-State team this year. A two sport athlete at the Hudson County school, Gaetani was one of the best two-way players in the state this season. At the dish, she went 40-for-88 (.455) with 40 runs and 40 RBI while also co-leading the state in home runs with 16. Gaetani had 24 extra base hits all told, drawing 14 walks and stealing five bases for a 23-win Bayonne team. In 144.1 innings in the circle, she struck out 248 and pitched to a 1.70 ERA while allowing 87 hits and 78 walks. Her 248 strikeouts were 12th-most in the state and a career high as she assumed the full-time starting pitcher role this year.
Jordan Strauss (6) of Haddon Township tosses the ball to first for an out against Cedar Grove during the softball NJSIAA Group 1 Final at Ivy Hill Park at Seton Hall University in West Orange, NJ on Friday, June 7, 2024.Tom Horak | For NJ Advance Media
UT: Jordan Strauss, Haddon Township, Jr.
Strauss led the Hawks to their first state final since 1979 both in the circle and at the plate. Offensively she batted .560 with 47 hits, 40 runs scored and 43 RBI. Strauss finished with 23 extra-base hits, including eight home runs. As the ace, Strauss finished with a 1.80 ERA and 181 strikeouts in 113 innings. The junior was at her best in the postseason. She scored two runs and knocked in two with a huge double and also struck out 10 in an upset 5-2 win over Audubon in the South Jersey Group 1 final, giving Haddon Township its first title in 18 years. She then posted three hits and struck out 13 in a three-hit shutout of New Egypt in the state semifinal.
Delilah Tabaka (1) of Wallington pitches the ball during the NJSIAA North 1, Group 1 semifinal softball game between Wallington and Park Ridge at Dul Field in Wallington, NJ on Friday, May 31, 2024.Mile Djordjiovski | For NJ Advance Media
UT: Delilah Tabaka, Wallington, Jr.
Tabaka went from an All-Group player with a solid season last year to one of the state’s preeminent strikeout pitchers this year. In 193 innings, she posted a 0.91 ERA and struck out 365, the second highest total in the state. That’s good for 1.89 strikeouts per inning. Add in just 107 hits allowed and a meager 25 walks, and the Panther junior took her game to another level this year. She also hit .307 with 23 hits, 19 RBI, 23 walks and six stolen bases. In three seasons at the small Bergen County school, she’s got 836 strikeouts in 511 innings and seems to be well on her way to 1,000 career strikeouts next season.
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