Westfield softball last won a county championship five years ago.
The Blue Devils, with a cast that features top freshmen and sophomores, is making a case to get back to the top of the mountain.
With a record of 8-0 that includes six wins against fellow Union County teams including two over Watchung Division rival Roselle Park, Westfield was selected as the top seed for the 44th annual softball Union County Tournament.
Westfield, which last won the crown in 2014, will seek to become fourth different team to win the tournament in the past four seasons.
Roselle Park won the title last year for the first time since 2004. Gov. Livingston won for the second time in three years two years ago and Johnson captured the championship in 2016 for the first time since 1981.
Defending champion Roselle Park (6-4), winners of five of its past six, is the second seed. Johnson, with a Watchung Division victory over Roselle Park, is the third seed at 5-4. Cranford (6-2) is the fourth seed.
Westfield has not played Cranford yet in Watchung Division play.
With 20 teams seeded, Brearley did not enter, four preliminary round games must be played before first round action commences.
Unlike baseball which has all eight of its first round games scheduled for Saturday, softball has first round games scattered. One is scheduled for Thursday, two for Friday, four for Saturday and one for Monday.
The quarterfinals are scheduled for Wednesday, May 1 at the higher seeds.
The semifinals and final are scheduled to be played at Kean University on Saturday, May 4 and Monday, May 6.
The last three championship games have been shutouts.
44TH ANNUAL UNION COUNTY SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT
SEEDS: 1-Westfield. 2-Roselle Park. 3-Johnson. 4-Cranford.
5-Eliizabeth. 6-Benedictine. 7-Summit. 8-Gov. Livingston.
9-Union. 10-Union Catholic. 11-Scotch Plains. 12-Dayton.
13-Oak Knoll. 14-Kent Place. 15-New Providence. 16-Rahway.
17-Roselle. 18-Plainfield. 19-Roselle Catholic. 20-Linden.
PRELIMINARY ROUND:
Before April 27
20-Linden at 13-Oak Knoll
19-R. Catholic at 14-Kent Place
18-Plainfield at 15-New Prov.
17-Roselle at 16-Rahway
FIRST ROUND:
Thursday, April 25
BOTTOM SIDE BRACKET
RC/Kent Place at 3-Johnson, 4 p.m.
Friday, April 26
BOTTOM SIDE BRACKET
Plainfield/New Prov. at 2-Roselle Park, 4 p.m.
10-Union Catholic at 7-Summit, 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 27
TOP SIDE OF BRACKET
Roselle/Rahway at 1-Westfield, 10:30 a.m.
12-Dayton at 5-Elizabeth, TBD
Linden/Oak Knoll at 4-Cranford, 4 p.m.
BOTTOM SIDE OF BRACKET
11-Scotch Plains at 6-Benedictine, 11 a.m.
Scotch Plains schedule says the game is at Scotch Plains
Monday, April 29
TOP SIDE BRACKET
9-Union at 8-Gov. Livingston, 4 p.m.
QUARTERFINALS:
Wednesday, May 1
At higher seeds, 4 p.m.
SEMIFINALS:
Saturday, May 4
At Kean University
FINAL:
Monday, May 6
At Kean University
UCT SOFTBALL CHAMPIONS:
2018: Roselle Park – WP: Maddie Hummel
2017: Governor Livingston – WP: Alanna Namit
2016: Johnson – WP: Gianna Randazza
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 – WP: Christine Pemoulie
2001: Governor Livingston – WP: Lyndsey Sheppard
2000: Union – WP: Rayneesha Adams
1999: Governor Livingston – WP: Gina Turturiello
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 – WP: Alison Brehm
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 (7)
Cranford (5)
Roselle Park (4)
Johnson Regional-Johnson (3)
Scotch Plains (1)
Linden (1)
Union Catholic (1)
Brearley (1)
UCT SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SCORES
2018-1987:
2018: Roselle Park 2, Westfield 0 – at Kean
2017: GL 1, Johnson 0 – at Linden
2016: Johnson 7, GL 0 – at Kean
2015: GL 4, Cranford 3 – at Kean
2014: Westfield 5, GL 2 – at Kean
2013: Westfield 15, GL 1 – at Kean
2012: GL 9, New Providence 2 – at Kean
2011: GL 8, Westfield 1 – at Kean
2010: Cranford 4, GL 3 – at Kean
2009: Union 3, Linden 1 – at Linden
2008: Cranford 2, Union 0 – at Linden
2007: Cranford 13, Linden 0 – at Linden
2006: Cranford 1, GL 0 – at Linden
2005: Brearley 2, GL 1 (10 inn.) – at Linden
2004: Roselle Park 2, Cranford 1 (13 inn.) – at Linden
2003: Roselle Park 1, Cranford 0 (11 inn.) – at Linden
2002: Cranford 3, Union 0 – at Linden
2001: GL 3, Scotch Plains 0 – at Linden
2000: Union 2, GL 1 – at Linden
1999: GL 8, Johnson 3 – at Linden
1998: Westfield 9, Roselle Park 0 – at Linden
1997: Gov. Livingston 5, Cranford 0 – at Linden
1996: Union 4, Johnson 3 – at Linden
1995: Union 11, Westfield 0 – at Linden
1994: Union 8, Cranford 7 – at Linden
1993: Union 16, Cranford 14 – at Linden
1992: Union 13, Westfield 0 – at Linden
1991: Union 1, Roselle Park 0 – at Linden
1990: Westfield 3, Union 0 – at Linden
1989: Union Catholic 4, Union 2 – at Linden
1988: Union 1, Roselle Park 0 – at Linden
1987: Union 3, Roselle Park 0 – at Linden