The Lions\’ No. 3 hitter, Chain also produced at the plate. She batted .459 with 10 extra-base hits, 22 runs scored and 29 RBIs and knocked in the game-winning run with a sacrifice fly in the 12th inning of the state semifinal against New Egypt. Chain\’s repertoire included a screwball, curveball, fastball, changeup, riser and drop. She credited the riser for the big bump in strikeouts this season.

But the development of players like sophomores Britney Dolson, Angie Harris and Teresa Anderson was critical. Dolson hit .386 with four home runs, Harris knocked in 15 runs including the game-winner in a 1-0 South Jersey semifinal win over Pennsville and Anderson batted .375, drove in 26 and did a tremendous job catching the hard-throwing Chain.