All that’s left for Johnson is for the Crusaders to finally win the Union County Tournament again.
The Crusaders were the top seed last year, but were upset by fifth-seeded Cranford in the semifinals.
Second-seeded GL went on to defeat Cranford 4-3 in the championship game at Linden. The Highlanders captured their sixth title and first since they repeated for the only time in 2012.
Johnson was awarded the top seed for the second straight season at the Monday, April 18 seeding meeting. GL is the second seed for the second straight season.
Rounding out the top five seeds are Elizabeth at three, Benedictine Academy of Elizabeth at four and Westfield at five.
With 21 teams seeded, the preliminary round on Thursday, April 21 will include five games at the higher seeds.
Eight first round games are scheduled for Saturday, April 23 at the higher seeds.
The quarterfinals are set for Friday, April 29 and the semifinals for Saturday, April 30, all of those contests to be played at Linden.
The final is scheduled for Saturday, May 14 at Kean University’s Cougar Field in Union, The baseball UCT final is scheduled to be played on the same day at Kean, which was not available for Mother’s Day weekend.
41ST ANNUAL SOFTBALL UNION COUNTY TOURNAMENT
SEEDS: 1-Johnson. 2-Gov. Livingston. 3-Elizabeth. 4-Benedictine. 5-Westfield. 6-Cranford.
7-Dayton. 8-Brearley. 9-Summit. 10-New Providence. 11-Scotch Plains. 12-Union Catholic.
13-Union. 14-Kent Place. 15-Oak Knoll. 16-Roselle. 17-Rahway. 18-Linden. 19-Plainfield.
20-New Providence. 21-Roselle Catholic.
PRELIMINARY ROUND:
Thursday, April 21
21-Roselle Catholic at 12-Union Catholic
20-New Providence at 13-Union
19-Plainfield at 14-Kent Place
18-Linden at 15-Oak Knoll
17-Rahway at 16-Roselle
FIRST ROUND:
Friday, April 22
11-Roselle Park at 6-Dayton
10-Scotch Plains at 7-Cranford
18-Linden/15-Oak Knoll at 2-Gov. Livingston
Saturday, April 23
17-Rahway/16-Roselle at 1-Johnson
19-Plainfield/14-Kent Place at 3-Elizabeth
20-New Providence/13-Union at 4-Benedictine
21-Roselle Catholic/12-Union Catholic at 5-Westfield
9-Summit at 8-Brearley
QUARTERFINALS:
Friday, April 29
At Linden
Two games at 5:30 p.m.
Two games at 7:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS:
Saturday, April 30
At Linden
Two games at 3 p.m.
FINAL
Saturday, May 14
At Kean University, TBA
UCT SOFTBALL CHAMPIONS:
2015: Governor Livingston – WP: Alanna Namit
2014: Westfield – WP: Elena Scarano
2013: Westfield – WP: Elena Scarano
2012: Governor Livingston – WP: Jordan Robbins
2011: Governor Livingston – WP: Jordan Robbins
2010: Cranford – WP: Kelly Hardman
2009: Union – WP: Amanda Kardys
2008: Cranford – WP: Kelly Hardman
2007: Cranford – WP: Kelly Hardman
2006: Cranford – WP: Elena Morge
2005: Brearley – WP: Jenna Vitale
2004: Roselle Park – WP: Becky Riccitelli
2003: Roselle Park – WP: Becky Riccitelli
2002: Cranford
2001: Governor Livingston
2000: Union
1999: Governor Livingston
1998: Westfield – won as 6th seed; WP: Shannon Wagner
1997: Governor Livingston
1996: Union – WP: Laura Labonia
1995: Union – WP: Laura Labonia
1994: Union – WP: Laura Labonia
1993: Union
1992: Union
1991: Union
1990: Westfield
1989: Union Catholic
1988: Union
1987: Union
1986: Westfield
1985: Westfield
1984: Westfield
1983: Union
1982: Roselle Park
1981: Johnson Regional
1980: Linden
1979: Johnson Regional
1978: Westfield
1977: Scotch Plains
1976: Westfield
Championships:
Union (11)
Westfield (9)
Gov. Livingston (6)
Cranford (5)
Roselle Park (3)
Johnson Regional (2)
Scotch Plains (1)
Linden (1)
Union Catholic (1)
Brearley (1)