By John E. Powers, Sports Writer
In most years, the South Hunterdon Regional High School softball team already would have put the bats and balls away.
The prom was Thursday night, and, traditionally, the season is over by now.
But because of a rainy may and the fact most of the Eagles’ opponents have qualified for the state tournament, South finds itself preparing to play five more games.
Head coach Renee LaGala’s team was scheduled to play two games last week, but games against North Warren (Tuesday) and Bernards (Wednesday) were postponed because North Warren and Bernards had state tournament games. The game with Bernards has now been postponed twice; it was called off earlier this month because of rain.
The Eagles, who have a 7-10 record, were to have played Skyland Conference Valley Division rival Belvidere at home Tuesday, followed with a game at Hackettstown Wednesday, a home game Thursday against Somerville and the postponed make up game at North Warren Friday.
LaGala said the Bernards game is likely to be made up sometime next week. The game is one the Eagles would love to play. They lost to the Mountaineers 1—0 in the first game of the season.
”That’s one the kids really remember,” LaGala said. “There’s still a chance that we can get to the .500 mark so we want to play.”
South Hunterdon did get something of a break last week. Sophomore pitcher Corrine Hart has been battling a back injury, and the team’s second pitcher, senior Brittany Ennis, was at a convention.
If the games had been played, freshman Sara Phillips would have pitched.
”Corrine was in a bad way with her back and the reason is the wear and tear she has been through this season,” LaGala said. “She hasn’t been as solid as she’s been, but I think the rest will help her.”
LaGala pondered the uniqueness of the spring season.
”If a team has a state tournament game, they just tell you they can’t play it, and that’s it,” she said. “But I’d really like to get them in.”
The team’s last practice was Thursday so the Eagles were scheduled to go right back into their games without working out.
”We’re just going to play them; that’s the way it is,” she said.
The Eagles lost to Belvidere 2-1 earlier this month and 3-2 to North Warren in April. The team also fell to Hackettstown 8-1 earlier in the season.