Raiders must replace pitcher
By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
Those teams that believe the Hillsborough High School softball team will take a step back after graduating 21-game winner Brittany Ksiezopolski are in for a rude surprise.
The Raiders might just be better this season than they were a year ago in going 22-3, winning the Somerset County Tournament, reaching the Central Jersey Group IV semifinals and winning a share of the Skyland Conference Delaware East Division. Cheryl Iaione thinks the Raiders will be doing more of the same if her team plays up to its potential.
”I know what people lost, but I don’t know what they gained,” Iaione said. “Watchung Hills and Bridgewater-Raritan, I know will be good. I’m sure there are others that will be better. But we only worry about ourselves. If we do what we’re capable of doing and play the way we’re capable of, we’re going to win a lot of ball games.”
Replacing Ksiezopolski won’t be that easy, but it wasn’t an unexpected loss. In her first two college appearances with Stockton College, Ksiezopolski fired shutouts. In 12 innings, she did not allow a run or walk a batter while holding opponents to a .209 batting average. Her performance earned her the NJAC Softball Rookie Pitcher of the Week on Monday. The trio of senior Ashley Lamont, and juniors Kelly Wishard and Alexis Schengrune will take to the circle this season.
”Ashley, this is her fourth year,” Iaione said. “She’s been the back-up to Brittany for four years. She’s pitched quite a bit, not as much as Brittany, but she had five or six starts a year. She plays over the summer. She’s very smart. She doesn’t throw as hard as Alexis or Kelly, but she has offspeed pitches. She’s looked good. They’ve all looked good so far.
”We knew Brittany was going to move on some day. These kids wait their turn. It was Brittany’s turn. Ashley’s been waiting in the wings. The other two, they’ll get innings as well. I don’t see this being a one-pitcher team. And they all play other positions. They’re important parts of our lineup. The kids, they’re all team-first. Whatever I ask them to do, they’ll go out and do their jobs.”
Even with the loss of Alex Wells, who has a hit in six games as a freshman for Bucknell, the Raiders should have plenty of firepower to back up their pitching. In Monday’s scrimmage, the Raiders had to call off their all-out assault after building a 14-0 lead.
”I think this lineup is potentially a better hitting lineup than last year,” Iaione said. “(Alison) Shimko hit one out and right behind her, (Alyssa) Vanderzeer hit one out. It’s a matter of not trying to do too much. Anyone can step up and be the one that does it for us on any day. If they all are on, I feel bad for whoever we play.”
The Raiders play Tuesday at Warren Hills, then at Montgomery on Apr. 2 to start things.
”We’re doing well,” Iaione said. “We have a lot of talent, but how good we are remains to be seen. We have depth at pitching. We have a very good hitting lineup.”
The Raiders expect to be without Jacki Schwankert, who was a big hitter for them last year, but suffered a concussion at the close of basketball season. Alexis Pezza returns at shortstop, Shimko will be at third and Vanderzeer is a sophomore who has looked good in the lineup. Seniors Denise Acone, Lauren Panek, Angela LoBrutto and catcher Kelly Murphy return. Sophomores Rachel Handel and Katie Faillace are second basemen that could help the Raiders. Juniors Donna Conrad and Josette Spencer, both who can play the outfield, and freshman Teryn Grover are in the early mix.
”We also have a lot of team speed,” Iaione said. “We’ll be able to use that.”
It doesn’t sound like much is missing for the Raiders this season, but Iaione can find one thing right away.
”The wins,” she said. “It’s a very good, well balanced team. That doesn’t mean a thing. We have to go out and beat teams. We have to come together as a team. We have to keep pushing. It’s going to be fun, but we’ll see. Other teams are going to be better too. It’s not going to be easy.”
The hardest job may be her own. Iaione has to figure out how to keep everyone happy and keep the team hungry.
”I have to take all the pieces to the puzzle and figure it out,” Iaione said. “Once we take the pieces and figure it out, I think we’ll be OK. There will be plenty of playing time for everyone. They just have to know the team is first. If you’re on the bench or in the field, you have a role. It can be tough, but when you get to the championships, it’s all worth it.”
The Raiders will be looking to make a deep run in states this season, as well as defend their county and conference titles. They’ll be doing so with a different cast, but one that is looking forward to its chance to shine.
”When your turn comes, you do what you’re asked to do,” Iaione said. “They have a good approach. They work well together. They’re very talented. It’s a matter of putting the pieces together and figuring out who goes where, but I like the options I have.
”I think everybody is going to look at us to be down because we lost Brittany. I don’t think that will be the case. We know what’s coming up in the wings and those kids are ready to step in. Good programs don’t rebuild, they just reload. We miss everybody, but we have to roll on.”