Jackson, NJ — By Bill Evans | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com The Jackson Memorial High School softball team made a little history on Wednesday night while it continues to make a name for itself. The No. 19 Jaguars - who entered the state rankings a week ago - captured their first Ocean County Tournament title since 2004 by defeating Point Pleasant Boro, 10-5, in the finals on Wednesday night at the Jackson Adventure complex. The top-seeded Jaguars improved to 14-0 on the season and scored 10 or more runs for the 11th time even with leading hitter Alexandra Santos missing the game with a twisted ankle. “I can’t even say what it means, these girls work hard, the program has changed,” said Jackson coach Haydee Donza. “These seniors lost their freshman year, so they want to go out with a bang. Being undefeated has been a bonus.” Last year, Jackson lost to eventual champion Toms River South, 1-0, in 10 innings in the county semifinal, dropped a 3-2 decision to Freehold Township in the Shore Conference quarterfinal then fell to Freehold Township again, 8-5, in the sectional final. It was a successful season with over 20 wins but also a lot of heartbreak. On Wednesday, the Jaguars were able to wipe away the sting of one of those defeats by doubling up the No. 6 seed, which had reached the final by upsetting third-seeded Central and second-seeded Toms River South. “We’ve gotten really close the last few years, so this really means a lot to me,” said Jackson senior pitcher Sophia LoPiccolo. “It feels like we’re looked at as the underdogs and no one expects us to be as good as we are, so it feels really good. Everybody puts other school names out there and we’re not really looked at like that, but I feel like we should be because we have a lot of talent and we’re a pretty young team too. “The way we bond and way we mesh is crazy, we’re such a great team. The younger girls make me so proud, I feel like a mom.” Point Pleasant Boro seemed to have a third upset brewing as it saw six batters reach base - three on hits and three on walks - in the top of the first inning. But the Panthers ran into an out on the bases and left the bases loaded as Jackson avoided the big inning. “We were down 2-0 and that hasn’t happened much this season, but they locked in and did what they had to do,” said Donza. “(The out on the bases) killed their momentum and got us going. This whole team has been locked in, and this is the outcome so far. Not having (Santos) was a little scary, but everybody picked her up.” The Jaguars took the lead for good with three runs in the bottom of the second inning. Brianna Halasnik’s two-run triple was the decisive blow in the frame. Jackson then added a run in the third before blowing the game open with a six-run fifth that made it 10-2. An error opened the floodgates, and sophomore Dominique Lopez’s two-out, two-run triple helped put the game on ice. Lopez continued her breakout season with a pair of triples, a walk and a run scored and would have more if she wasn’t robbed of a third hit on a diving catch with two runners on. “The girls in the dugout hyped me up and gave me that confidence,” said Lopez. “I’ve been working really hard on my own, and I’m glad how it’s working out so far. We’re clicking as a team and becoming one. This game was nerve-racking, but it was also really fun.” Point Pleasant Boro chipped away with three runs in the top of the sixth - Dakota Palmieri ripped a two-run single - but LoPiccolo was able to seal the game. LoPiccolo came into the game having allowed just three runs in 37 innings. She gave up 10 hits - all in three innings - walked six and struck out six while stranding 12 baserunners. She also contributed offensively with two hits, two runs scored and two RBI. “First inning I was feeling a lot of stress and I felt I was letting my team down, but they had my back and that helped a lot,” said LoPiccolo. “I came in a little nervous, but we picked up our energy and I had faith in us.”