Lawrence softball
By: Jim Green
For the Lawrence High School softball team, things finally started to turn around with a loss.
While the Cardinals suffered their seventh straight defeat April 27 against Steinert, it was the way they lost that was different. They played a crisp, mistake-free game and competed with enthusiasm in a 3-0 loss to one of the best teams in the Colonial Valley Conference.
Senior Daniela Bottoni doubled, and sophomore Nikki Caplinger hurled a complete game, surrendering only seven hits to the high-powered Spartans, who improved to 11-3.
"I think the Steinert game was huge for us," Lawrence coach Sue Bunn said. "It was a high-quality softball game. We did what we were supposed to, and they scored by hitting the ball. Nikki Caplinger pitched her best game of the season. That was huge."
The main determining factor in the success of a high school softball team is its pitching, and it was very much a step in the right direction for the Cardinals to see Caplinger hurl such a strong game against a quality opponent.
"She was so pleased," Bunn said. "It’s tough when a team can’t get that win. One of the parents came up to me after the game and said it was definitely a moral victory."
The most important aspect of the Steinert game was the team spirit that showed itself remarkable for a squad mired in a seven-game skid.
"Not only were the players on the field playing well, but the spirit of the players on the bench was so upbeat and positive that it was a true team effort," Bunn said.
The turnaround continued Friday, as the Cardinals beat Trenton 13-2 at LHS behind another strong pitching performance, this one by senior Katelyn Fecak (2-3). Allie Price had a triple and three RBIs, and Bottoni doubled for the second consecutive game. Danny Brooks and Melissa Casale each had two hits, while Fecak, Caplinger, Kathy Park and Kara Halsey added RBIs.
"We had a lot of hard-hit balls," Bunn said. "Katelyn Fecak pitched a great game. It’s amazing how a loss can have such a positive effect. To come off playing so well against Steinert and to maintain and play to their abilities and get the win they should get is great. I got to play a lot of players, which was nice."
On Tuesday, the Cardinals lost to Princeton 4-3 in a Mercer County Tournament consolation game. Price drove in a run, and Caplinger pitched well again, but the Little Tigers scored twice in the bottom of the seventh for the win.
Even though the Cardinals suffered the loss, they once again showed how far they have come since the beginning of the season. Princeton beat Lawrence 11-1 in the season opener April 1.
The Cardinals, who were scheduled to face West Windsor-Plainsboro South on Wednesday, will play host to Nottingham at 3:45 p.m. Friday.
The Cardinals travel to cross-town rival Notre Dame at 4 p.m. Monday before visiting Hightstown at 4 p.m. Wednesday- They have home games against Steinert at 3:45 p.m. May 16 and Ewing at 3:45 p.m. May 18- They finish the season at home against Hopewell Valley on May 20.
"They’re not writing off the season," Bunn said. "They’re still trying to get the wins. We went out today and worked hard. They’re not quitting. I told the girls before the season that this season would be a test of their heart, and their hearts are in the right place.
"It’s more than just the actual game wins we’re looking at. We’re looking at how we’re playing and staying positive on the bench. Those are wins, too. It’s not only about softball. It’s part of a life experience."