Knollwood softball team making a name for itself

By Richard Jerome

Knollwood softball team
making a name for itself

WWhen the Knollwood School’s girls team, Fair Haven, began its second season in the Shore Middle School Softball League, Coach John Moschberger didn’t know what to expect.

"We’d lost 10 starters from last year’s second-place team, and then after our first scrimmage we lost three more to ankle injuries," he said. "Little did I know we’d have a shot at an undefeated season."

The Knockouts, as they are known, wound up 11-2 and, more importantly, won their league title, twice beating five-time champ Oceanport.

"Their coach (and League President) Don Brocklebank paid us a great compliment," said Moschberger. "He said we were the best defensive team he’s seen in the league. It was the way the girls moved on every play. That’s the way they practiced. I knew that if we were to win, we’d have to be very fast and play error-free defense."

Knollwood was led by two eighth-graders, Carrie Macock, who holds the school pitching record with nine victories; and Ashley Wood, a strong hitter and second baseman.

Catherine Steinhauser, a seventh-grader, was superb on defense at shortstop, while leading the club with 22 RBI, tying the school standard. And Amie Kirman, a sixth-grader, was solid behind the plate at catcher.

The rest of the close-knit team, which was co-coached by Richard Huff, consisted of Sarah Babcock, an outfielder; Jenny Cohen, also in the outfield; first baseman-outfielder Caitlin Hyduke, a promising player Moschberger is counting on for next year; first baseman Alyson Morris; Julie Nociolo, a first-sacker and outfielder; third baseman-outfielder Katie Powers; Naomi Rice, an outfielder who was virtually unstoppable as a bunter; outfielder Shannon Rowan; Lindsey Semliatschenko, who played third base and outfield; Lauren Sharkey, an outfielder-third baseman; Claire Sweeney, a second sacker and outfielder and Jessica Tachak, a catcher-outfielder.

"We also had two girls who were player-managers," added Moschberger, referring to outfielder-infielders Megeen Clabby and Kary Norton.

Moschberger noted that one of the team’s strengths was the players’ ability to support each other throughout the season.

"We had 17 girls, which meant that eight were on the bench at a time," he said. "But they were all very accepting of their roles."

Many of the girls on the team are continuing to play together this summer in the Eastern Monmouth Girls Softball League, where they will have the chance to compete against teams from both Monmouth and Middlesex counties, while playing in a tournament-like schedule with other teams in the league. Their games are usually played on Monday and Wednesday nights in Fair Haven.