Veteran softball coach reaches milestone
by Rudy Brandl, Sports Editor
It’s always been about the players and the team for Hillsborough High head softball coach Cheryl Iaione. A former standout player in her own right, Iaione has taught her players to take more pride in team accomplishments than individual glory.
Iaione reached a milestone last week when her team went on the road to defeat North Hunterdon, which was ranked ninth in the state. Iaione won her 200th varsity career coaching game since taking over the program 14 years ago, but she was more eager to celebrate the special achievement of her young squad.
”It’s not about 200 wins, it’s about beating North Hunterdon,” Iaione said after the Raiders battled their way to a 4-2 triumph. “I haven’t beaten them in years. Getting 200 is something special and definitely an honor, but the more important part was that we beat a very good team. Beating North Hunterdon was icing on the cake.”
Hillsborough used some late inning heroics to pull out the win. After North came back to tie the game at 2-2 with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, the Raiders answered with two in the top of the sixth. That was all sophomore Brittany Ksiezopolski needed to finish the job.
Ksiezopolski (2-0) was brilliant for the second straight outing this spring. She allowed three hits and one walk, all in that fifth inning. Ksiezopolski blanked North in the other six frames and finished the day with eight strikeouts and one walk.
The Raiders faced a little adversity when North gained momentum with two runs in the fifth. Katie Patella led off the sixth inning with a single. Pinch runner Melissa McEnroe moved to second when Christina LoBrutto’s sacrifice bunt was misplayed by the third baseman. Margaret Gilroy followed with an RBI single to center and Kelly Bloom plated the insurance run with a fielder’s choice grounder to shortstop.
”We took the dagger that was in our back and stuck it in their heart,” Iaione said. “I’m really proud of the way they came back.”
Iaione takes the most pride in how far the HHS program has come in the past 14 years. The Raiders have won three Somerset County titles and four Skyland Conference crowns during her tenure. They’ve also advanced to the Central Jersey Group 4 finals twice and made the sectional semifinals three times. Hillsborough has become the most dominant team in the county during the past decade.
”The program is a perennial strong Group 4 team we’re looked at that way,” Iaione said. “If we call somebody to play us, they know what kind of program we have. They know we’re going to give them a good game. You have to build that.”
Iaione, who won her 100th game in the 2003 state playoffs vs. Howell, has gotten the second 100 much faster. That’s a reflection of the consistency this program has displayed in recent years.
Much like she deflects the praise to her team, Iaione shares the credit with the many coaches who served as her assistants. Varsity assistant Brandon Wiater has become a huge part of the program, especially helping the hitters. Veteran volunteer assistant Liliana Torres brings a great deal of experience and knowledge to the staff.
”My coaching staff is top-notch,” said Iaione, who also thanked former athletic director Rocky Forte and current athletic director Mike Fanizzi for their support. “I definitely couldn’t do this without them.”
It all starts with the players. Iaione loves teaching the game and watching different combinations of players mold into successful teams. She’s enjoyed the privilege of watching many of her players move on to the collegiate level.
”The kids really buy into the system,” Iaione said. “They’re a big part of what we’ve developed here. They put a lot of time into the success of the program.”

