Corcoran caps four-year softball career

Slugging shortstop put up solid numbers in 2001

By: Rudy Brandl
   Tina Corcoran did plenty of hitting and winning during four years of varsity softball at Manville High.
   The Manville High senior was hoping to end her career with a bang, but unfortunately she and her teammates couldn’t get anything going against their neighboring rivals from Bound Brook in last week’s season finale. Nevertheless, it’s still been a great four years for Corcoran.
   "I’ll remember the Bound Brook games and the North Plainfield games the most," said Corcoran, who led the squad with two home runs and three triples this spring. "Meeting new people and making new friends, it’s just really been a lot of fun."
   Corcoran burst on the scene and became the starting shortstop as a freshman, which is quite an accomplishment. She held that position for two years before moving over to third base to make room for senior standout Meaghan LiBrizzi last spring. Corcoran returned to her old position this spring and also served as one of the team’s co-captains.
   Although she played for three different coaches during her scholastic career, Corcoran was a key part of four winning teams. She played for longtime coach Michele Sniscak as a freshman, for Jim Sala the next two years and for Kelly Burns this spring. All four MHS teams qualified for the Central Jersey Group 1 playoffs.
   This year’s sectional playoff run was halted by an inferior Highland Park team. Manville had the better pitching and defense but just couldn’t hit enough to overcome a 1-0 deficit.
   "It drove me nuts because it was my last chance at states," said Corcoran, who wore No. 7 in honor of Mickey Mantle throughout her Manville career. "There’s nothing we could do because we just weren’t hitting. We hit well the day before but all of a sudden we weren’t hitting."
   Corcoran didn’t hit that well at the end of the season but still put up solid numbers this spring. Even when she wasn’t hitting, Corcoran tried to rally the team.
   Mired in a slump that included a hitless game at Highland Park, Corcoran needed to get something going for herself and her team. She decided to bunt in her third at-bat at Oak Knoll and reached for a single. Then, Corcoran used some aggressive base running to score the go-ahead run, which sparked the girls to a 9-4 win.
   "They weren’t paying attention and I knew I had to do something," said Corcoran, who later singled to finish with a 2-for-4 game. "That got us going."
   Corcoran also delivered some key hits earlier in the campaign. Her personal highlight came in the second meeting vs. North Plainfield. Corcoran smashed a Katie Wheelan pitch for a two-run blast that gave Manville a 4-2 lead.
   "The home run against North Plainfield was my favorite," she said. "I was so happy when I hit that. That put is in the lead but we just couldn’t hold it."
   Corcoran started playing the game in fourth grade and has used the same glove for nine years. After playing for youth and recreation teams, she spent four years as a varsity player.
   She didn’t merely adjust to three different coaches, but made smooth transitions from short to third and back to short. Once reluctant to move to the hot corner, Corcoran actually became more comfortable at third base.
   "I had grown accustomed to third base," she said. "I play really close for a bunt at all times and I rely on instinct. You don’t have time to think and misplay the ball."
   Last summer, Corcoran improved her hitting and defensive game at third base by playing for the Clark Wildcats. She and MHS teammate Jen Kulkaski helped the Wildcats win a national title.
   "The pitching Jen and I saw were unbelievable. It was like Erica Bell the whole season," said Corcoran, referring to the former Immaculata High superstar pitcher. "The faster they are, the better I hit. I really struggle against slower pitching. I either strike out or pop out."
   The Manville slugger proved that by smacking a home run against Wheelan and going 0-for-3 against the soft tosser from Highland Park. She ripped one of her triples in the first meeting against Bound Brook’s Rachel Coddington, another hard thrower.
   Corcoran won’t be continuing her softball career this summer or in college. She’s enjoyed her time on the field but feels it’s time to move on and pursue other interests. She’ll begin classes at Raritan Valley Community College in the fall.
   "I’m going to miss it, but I just don’t have time anymore," Corcoran said. "I still care about the game, but I don’t want it to be my whole life. I want to concentrate on school and work."