MHS softballers struggled in Skyland debut

Revenge victory over Bound Brook highlighted season

By: John E. Powers
   
   Manville High School’s softball team’s introduction into the rugged Skyland Conference was pretty much what was expected – it was tough going.
   The Lady Mustangs finished their maiden season in the league with a 3-18 record after going 12-6 last year in their final season in the Mountain Valley Conference.
   "There were very good teams from top to bottom in the league," said Manville head coach Ed Knapp, whose team played in the Skyland Valley Division along with Bound Brook, Belvidere, North Warren and South Hunterdon. "It’s what I’d hoped for because it gave us a level of competition every time out and reason to be up for every game."
   The three victories were over former Mountain Valley Conference clubs. The Mustangs beat Bound Brook 2-1 on April 24 after losing their season-opener to the Crusaders 10-2 on April 2 and knocked off North Plainfield 7-6 and 3-2. Belvidere won the Skyland Conference Valley Division.
   "I would say beating Bound Brook was a highlight, especially after they pinned our ears back that first game," Knapp said. "We beat them in dramatic fashion, too. We had to play a perfect game and we did."
   The Mustangs also lost to Somerset County Tournament semifinalist Mount St. Mary 17-1 and 11-0. A 7-6 loss to Somerville May 9 haunted the team.
   "I think the kids enjoyed playing against teams that I thought were among the elite in our area," Knapp said. "Mount St. Mary twice, teams like Delaware Valley and Belvidere. We looked forward to playing them. What we learned was what it takes to be a good team.
   "You can’t be satisfied with a three-win season, but I think we got better week in and out," he added. "By the end of the season, I don’t think we saw anything we weren’t prepared for. But what hurt us was not hitting from week one."
   The Manville girls definitely struggled with the bat.
   "Against the type of competition we were up against we couldn’t hit .200 and that was really the difference in us being 3-18 and being competitive," Knapp said. "We looked at ourselves in the mirror and made the defensive adjustments we needed. We were competitive on the defensive side. But we had a habit of making mediocre pitchers look like all-stars and you can’t compete at this level and be successful like that."
   Senior shortstop Michelina Aichele was an outstanding leader. She batted .250 and was the team’s MVP.
   "She made all the plays," Knapp said. "I remember when we played Pingry in the county tournament and some people from Pingry wanted to know what year she was in. Unfortunately, she’s a senior."
   Knapp called Aichele’s sister, Samantha, a junior second baseman, the team’s most improved player. She moved from right field before the season.
   "Her potential hasn’t been reached yet," Knapp said.
   The Aichele’s defense was a team highlight.
   "Both Aicheles played at the level they needed to in the league and got better every week," he said. "There were no deficiencies in the middle of our infield and Rhianna (junior and three-year starter Rhianna Lebedz) was a steady center fielder and Katie (Lukacs) was good behind the plate. That was our real strength."
   Sophomore right hander Kim Jones deserved a better fate in several games. She finished the season with a 3-16 record.
   "We started out with a sophomore pitcher who’d never pitched (at the varsity level) and was facing good hitters and good teams every week," Knapp said. "But Kim made the adjustments. It was an enormous strain. She had never thrown that many games. As the year went on, it was tiring. Every walk is a double when there’s a passed ball or a wild pitch."
   Lukacs, a senior and three-year starter, was another player who made a change in position. Sophomore left fielder Amanda Furka gave Knapp promise offensively and senior third baseman Amanda Bron was consistent with the glove. Junior right fielder Amanda Marcincavage and junior first baseman Lisa Daniel became starters.
   The team’s dedication never faded, Knapp said. In the last game of the season – what turned out to be a 7-1 loss to Bernards May 30 – Michelina Aichele, Lukacs and Marcincavage all had health issues. Lukacs had an infected tooth, Aichele was recovering from oral surgery and Marcincavage had a fever. All of them played.
   "The kids were as psyched for our last game as they were for our first," Knapp said.