Palumbo, Yard sign to play college ball

HHS stars still have big goals this spring

By: Rudy Brandl
   
   Candy Palumbo and Chrissy Yard will be taking their softball talents to the college level next year, but not before they attempt to lead their Hillsborough High School team to a few more championships.
   The Raiders clinched the Delaware East Division title last week and were scheduled to face Somerville in last night’s Somerset County semifinals for the right to compete for their third consecutive county title. Later this month, HHS hopes to make a run at a sectional and state title.
   Yard and Palumbo are two of the primary reasons the Raiders have a chance to reach all these lofty goals. HHS head coach Cheryl Iaione certainly recognizes what these two four-year varsity players have meant to her program.
   "They’ve helped turn the program in the direction we wanted to go," Iaione said. "They’ve each improved every year and they’ve been great teammates. They’ve helped me become a better coach."
   Palumbo and Yard have made transitions during their scholastic careers, something which will help both players at the college level. After two years at third base, Palumbo moved to shortstop last spring and has been tremendous defensively. Yard split time in the pitching circle with as many as three girls during her first three varsity seasons as the primary first baseman. This spring, the powerful lefty has flourished in her role as full-time pitcher.
   Yard’s arm and bat caught the attention of Rutgers, which recruited her to play first base but may need her to cure some of the team’s pitching woes. Yard hopes to help the Scarlet Knights turn things around.
   "They’re struggling right now, but I’m hoping to come in and make an impact next year," Yard said. "I was recruited as a first baseman and there’s also a possibility I could play outfield. They’re struggling with pitching, so I could get a shot."
   Yard, who also considered offers from The College of New Jersey, Alvernia (Pa.) and East Stroudsburg, wanted to stay closer to home. She was also attracted to Rutgers’ academic program.
   "They have my major (Sports Management)," Yard said. "When I went for the unofficial visit last summer, I remember driving back in the car thinking how much I really liked it."
   Palumbo hopes to take a different road to Division 1 softball by starting her career at Florida Community College of Jacksonville. She also considered Rutgers, Towson, Lock Haven and Quinnipiac but couldn’t resist the Florida temptation.
   "My goal since I was a little kid was to play for Florida State," Palumbo said. "They’re tops in the nation. My odds of getting there were slim, but my only chance to play there is to go to Florida and show them what I can do."
   Palumbo likes the fact that FCCJ is a proven winner. She’s grown accustomed to winning at Hillsborough and figures she can play right away on her college team. She may move over to second base, but she’s prepared to play anywhere in the infield.
   "I’m really excited and nervous at the same time," Palumbo said. "I’m going to be 1,000 miles away from my parents and my family. I’m going to have to learn to live up to the competition. I’m not necessarily going to be the top kid, but I plan to make an impact as a freshman."
   Palumbo and Yard have made a monumental impact on the HHS program, leading the team into the state’s top 20 polls the past few years. They’re doing it all this year – both girls hitting home runs, Yard pitching no-hitters and a perfect game, Palumbo stealing bases and making the plays at short.
   Both players thanked their parents, coaches and teammates for helping them along the way. Yard and Palumbo remain humble about their great accomplishments. They love being leaders, but they want the team to do something special before the end of their scholastic careers.
   "We have a good team camaraderie," Palumbo said. "We’re a team and everyone wants to be there. We want to go for a three-peat in the county and win a state championship."
   "We want to win the counties and the states," Yard added. "I’d really like to leave high school with a state championship."