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Retired South Plainfield coach Don Panzarella (right) received Honorary Coach award from NJ Pride President Rob Stern during Monday June 16th Super 36 N.J. North-South Senior Softball All-Star Game at Ivy Hill Park. Working on the North coaching staff was Cedar Grove's Nikki Velardi, seen with Stern of Mount St. Dominic as Essex County's two state championship coaches were on the scene. Velardi had three of her Panther seniors in game, from left, areAva Oeckel, Gia Fernandez and Cayce Kavakich. North coach Darren White of Ramapo High School is seen with Livingston's Allie Nankivell as the North prepared for game. Two other Essex County seniors on hand were the Mount's Carlee Paez (left) and Montclair's Brooklyn Awad. Stern presents MVP awards to North's Emily Van Cleef of Hunterdon Central (left) and the South's Elaina Faux of Delran. The North and South squads gather for team photos. (SC photos and also by Jennifer Stern and courtesy of CG softball)
NEWARK- Each June for 15 years now some of the best softball players in the state have gathered to showcase their talents in the NJ Pride’s Super 36 North-South Senior All-Star Game, and the 2025 edition was as entertaining as any of the previous contests as the North outslugged the South, 13-8 on Monday night, June 16, on Essex County Mike Sheppard, Sr. Field at Ivy Hill Park.
Despite the damp conditions and cooler-than-normal temperatures for mid-June, the quality of play was first-rate and there was a good-size crowd on hand.
One of the highlights was the presentation of the Honorary Coach Award at the end of the fifth inning of the 9-inning contest by NJ Pride President and Mount St. Dominic Coach Rob Stern to former South Plainfield head man Don Panzarella, New Jersey’s winningest softball coach with 848 wins.
The North rode a big 8-run eighth inning highlighted by key table-setting hits from Cedar Grove’s Gia Fernandez, Pingry’s Taylor Francis and Immaculate Heart’s Gabby Shadek, who had ground-rule double that bounced over the center field fence; while Summit’s Caroline Putnam had a big 2-run single for an 11-8 lead, and Randolph’s Autumn Liebhauser ignited the impressive rally with a long 2-run home run as the North overcame a 8-5 deficit to take the fairly comfortable 13-8 lead en route to the victory.
Hunterdon Central pitcher Emily Van Cleef, who started in the circle for the North, and Delran’s Elaina Faux, who had a lone 2-run home run in the South’s 5-run sixth inning when it took a temporary lead, were selected as the game MVPs.
“It’s so amazing and such an honor to play with the best seniors in the state in the Super 36 all-star game,” said Livingston’s star slap hitter and University of Delaware-bound outfielder Allie Nankivell. “While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to all your high school teammates who you grow up with and love, it’s also nice to feel ready for bigger things ahead as we all move on to the next stage in our individual journeys.”
There was the occasional misplay in the field by both teams, but also some outstanding defense displayed along with a number of impressive hits by both teams.
“Being here for this all-star game is really special,” said Cedar Grove’s star shortstop Fernandez, who will next play at St. John’s University. “I think Coach Stern and all the coaches involved do a great job in making this game happen and it’s a great opportunity for every player to display their individual talents.
“Some girls are great hitters and others might be terrific fielders or pitchers, and it’s a chance to see them all show what they are good at in a terrific setting here at Ivy Hill Park where some of us have played some of our biggest games.”
Cedar Grove, which along with Steinert in Group 3, became the first public high schools to win three straight NJSIAA softball state championships this season as the Panthers made it a 3-Peat in Group 1 with a convincing run through the 2025 field of opponents and three players from the memorable team were in the Super 36 all-star game in Fernandez, pitcher Cayce Kavakich and catcher Ava Oeckel, who had an RBI single during the North’s 3-run fifth inning when it took a 5-1 lead before the South’s big 5-run top of the sixth.
The Panthers were also represented by head coach Nikki Velardi on the North staff who worked alongside Chip Carver of Pingry, Nick DeGennaro of Morris Catholic and Darren White of Ramapo.
“We knew from the beginning of our 4-year run that our coach Nikki had really high expectations for us and that winning was something that had to be done for Cedar Grove softball,” said Fernandez, who has played for coach Sergio Rodriguez and NJ Heist in the summer. “She has demanded excellence from us and that has helped us for the better not just in softball but also in creating what we hope are future career paths in the real world!”
There are certainly high academic expectations for the Super 36 all-stars in addition to great possibilities in college softball as the graduating high school seniors now move on to the next level.
“I know that in going to Wellesley to study and play a sport that I love I’m going to be exposed to great academics and loads of opportunities there,” said Montclair’s outfielder-shortstop Brooklyn Awad who also plays for NJ Pride. “I plan on majoring in biology on a pre-veterinarian track, while also looking to help the softball team there succeed in any way I can.
“Playing here in this game tonight is a great send-off for all of us, and I’m so glad that Coach Stern makes sure that this happens for the state’s seniors each and every year!”
15th N.J. Pride Super 36 North-South Senior All-Star Game, June 16:
South 100 005 020 8 Runs
North 010 130 08X 13 Runs
2B- North- Gabby Shadek, IHA, HR- North- Autumn Liebhauser, Randolph; South- Elaine Faux, Delran Pitchers: North- Emily Van Cleef, Hunterdon Central, Cayce Kavakich, Cedar Grove; Caitlin Gaetani, Bayonne; South- Liz Negron, St. Thomas Aquinas, Anabella Stagliano, East Brunswick, Sam Wakeley, Eastern
Follow Steve Tober on 'X' @Chattermeister
Cedar Grove's Nikki Velardi and Mount St. Dominic and NJ Pride's Rob Stern confer before game while hitters such as Mounti's Carlee Paez is getting her hitting reps in as Monclair's Brooklyn Awad looks on.. Two of the North's pitchers, Emily Van Cleef (16) of Hunterdon Central and Caitlin Gaetani of Bayonne warm up before game action takes over on Essex County Mike Sheppard, Sr. Field. In bottom photo two very ardent softball fans, Ken Fry of Batbusters (on left) confers with NJ Pride coach and Essex County's Chief of Staff Phil Alagia. (Sideline Chatter photos)
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