Original Story via The Journal

In 2022, the Middletown High School North softball team fell one win short of a state title, losing to Steinert in the Central Jersey Group 3 Sectional final. Last year, North bowed to Robbinsville in the semifinal by a 1-0 tally in extra innings.

Only one player from the 2023 unit has been lost to graduation. With nearly the entire squad coming back, the Lions will be seeking post season redemption.

Key returning players are Allie Cirigliano (Sr. OF), Gabby Welton (Sr. OF/C), Gianna Arciprete (Jr. 2B/P), Madilynn Boyce (Jr. P/SS), Hailey Keiser (Jr. OF/P), Adrianna Lisotto (Jr. C), Julie Sickler (Jr. UT), Natalie Trezza (Jr. 1B/C), Julie Frontera (So. UT) and Brianna Soto (So. UT).

North will rely heavily on the mound performance of pitcher Boyce. Last year, she made 21 appearances on the hill. She hurled five one hitters, five two hitters and ten shutouts in that span. The junior struck out 309 batters over 153.1 innings and posted a .96 ERA. Boyce was named to the APP.com 2023 All Shore First Team.

Top players at the plate are Lisotto (.362), Sickler (355), Cirigliano (.307), Frontera (.292), Soto (.269) and Keiser (.250).

In 2019, North claimed the Central Jersey Group 3 Sectional and NJSIAA Group 3 titles.