MHS softballers looking forward to better competition

Seniors expected to lead team

By: John E. Powers
   
   Most of the names on the Manville High School softball team roster are familiar, and the majority of them have been around the sport for several years.
   That fact alone should count for several wins as the Mustangs make the transition from the Mountain Valley Conference to the Skyland Conference. That and the steady hand of seventh-
year head coach Ed Knapp, whose daughters played high school ball at Delaware Valley, one of the new schools Manville will playing this year.
   Manville returns starters Michelina Aichele (senior, shortstop), Amanda Bron (senior, third base), Rhianna Lebedz (junior, center field), Samantha Aichele (junior, second base) and Katie Lukacs (senior, catcher).
   The Mustangs rolled to the Valley Division title in their last season as a Mount Valley Conference school, outscoring their opponents 126-6, but their opponents in the Valley and Raritan divisions will be much better. Knapp acknowledged that there wasn’t much fun in winning games so easily against the likes of Newark Central, Roselle and St. Mary of Elizabeth.
   "We went from playing North Plainfield to Hillside to St. Mary of Elizabeth to Mount St. Mary, there really wasn’t a continuity or sharpness," Knapp said. "The first time you’re involved with it (blowout wins), maybe it’s thrilling, but it’s gone quickly. Girls have compassion for the other girls."
   The move to the Skyland will probably inspire the team to work harder at their game.
   "I think it’s a good league for us," said Knapp, whose team lost its season-opener to Bound Brook 10-2 Monday at home. "We have some of our friendly rivals, some of our old buddies like Bound Brook, North Plainfield and Bernards in there with us. And we have some new opponents like Belvidere and Delaware Valley who take it very seriously and for a number of years. My kids went through the
program (at Delaware Valley) with (coach) Asa Whitaker and they have a good tradition there, good talent and superior pitching."
   Manville is built around veterans.
   Bron led the team in hits (21) and runs scored (17), while Samantha Aichele led the team in batting at .429 and on-base percentage. Bron had 14 RBI and Lukacs 10. Bron batted .382, Lebedz .289 and Michelina Aichele .269.
   The team will have to find their way without the graduated Christine Bradley, who went 11-5 on the mound with a 1.54 earned run average and a 125-25 strikeout-walk ratio in 96 innings. Sophomore Kim Jones, who did get some varsity innings last year, will be the No. 1 pitcher. She has played summer softball through the years.
   "She’s our horse," Knapp said. "She has all the physical tools to be a pitcher at this level, it’s just a case of making the adjustment emotionally. She’s chomping at the bit and scared at the same time. It’s different when it’s put square on your shoulders."
   The team also graduated catcher Karyssa Snell, first baseman Robyn Barb and outfielders Katrina DeSantis and Jen Janovsky, who made big contributions.
   There have been some changes. Samantha Aichele moves from right field to play second base to join her older in the middle infield. Knapp is confident that the team will benefit from the pairing of the two three-sport athletes.
   "I don’t know how many games Samantha pulled out for us in the outfield last year. She was a Godsend for us out there. But you need a working infield and she works well with her sister," Knapp said. "I have a lot of confidence that they will be very good together."
   Lukacs, who played second base, last year, moves behind the plate.
   "Katie is one of those players every coach wants to coach," Knapp said. "In my four years with her she’s never hesitated or said no. You want to play left field? She’ll say OK. You want to catch? OK. She does it to the best of her ability."
   Sophomore Amanda Furka platooned in the outfield last year, but will start in left.
   "She’s improved dramatically," Knapp said. "She blew away the competition for the job. She came back this year determined."
   Junior Lisa Daniel takes over for the graduated Barb at first base.
   "It’s the fist time she’s played first base on a steady basis and we’ve made some adjustments," Knapp said. "She’s a compliant and a bright kid."
    Defense will be especially important for the Mustangs, Knapp said.
   "We’re going to run into some tough pitching," said Knapp, who added that the team has been drilling on situational plays.
   Bron is steady fixture at third.
   "Her father’s a coach and she seems to have the swagger that goes with it," Knapp said. "She’s a confident, sweet kid and very, very bright. She’s taken to that position and made it hers."
   Lebedz, another of the three-sport athletes on the team, will be another important part of the defense.
   "Rhianna is the best pure athlete on the team," Knapp said. "When she says she has it, it’s an automatic out. She doesn’t beat herself. She covers a lot of ground."
   Senior Laura Bocchino is in right field along with junior Amanda Marcincavage and senior Ashley Curley will back up Lebedz in center. Junior Deanna Zabawa will be the No. 2 pitcher and freshmen Dana Mortensen and Erin Lipot will play, Knapp said. Michelina Aichele and Bron as co-captains have been very helpful to the coach in leading the team.
   "We’ve set a goal to go to the states," Knapp said. "We realize it’ll be a much more difficult accomplishment this year, but we think that as the year goes on we’ll get better and better."