Manochio helps Raiders top PDS
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
Kristen Manochio played relaxed and confident against Princeton Day School, and it resulted in a career day at the plate.
The Hun School sophomore enjoyed the first 4-for-4 game of her scholastic softball career as the Raiders defeated PDS, 11-1, Wednesday.
”I guess there’s more comfort now,” Manochio said. “When you know the coaches believe in you and you can do it, it’s a lot easier to play.”
Manochio spent so much of last year trying to prove that she belonged in the varsity softball starting lineup as a freshman that it took away some of her ability to perform.
”I think she put a lot of pressure on herself as a freshman,” said Hun head coach Kathy Quirk after her team improved to 2-2. “This year, we’ve worked with her to not look up and just drive the ball. It’s what she’s doing.”
Manochio learned a lot during her first year of high school softball, when she was part of a young Raiders team. More than anything, she learned that she belonged at that level.
”I learned that you just have to relax,” said the Hightstown resident. “Every single time you go out there scared, the ball’s coming to you and you’re going to mess up. The second you go out there and don’t think you can do it, the ball’s coming to you.”
If it’s possible, the Raiders got even younger. They went from two seniors last year to one, Emily Kuchar, this year. Their infield doesn’t have a starter returning in the same spot. Junior Joey Cridelli, who played second base last year, is at third base now. Shortstop Julia Blake and first baseman Caitlin Hoagland are freshmen. New second baseman Lauren McTigue is a sophomore. Vicki Leach, another freshman, was catching when junior Carey Million was out with an injury, but has played some second as well and Quirk keeps her bat in the lineup every game.
The outfield is more experienced, but not by that much. Kuchar plays alongside Manochio and Manochio’s fellow sophomore classmate Alexa Fares. Cameron McNair, another sophomore, has seen time at first base. Pitcher Dani Beal is a junior, but she’s never pitched more than two games in a season.
”It’s hard because we’re young,” Manochio said. “Everyone underestimates us. I think we have a bond that’s going to grow. It’s a bond outside the field too. The relationship makes it easier to play together. It’s a good team. We all have talent. We just have to learn how to use it.
”I think the coaches expected us to overcome it,” she added of the youth. “We only lost two seniors. Even last year, it was such a young team. I think they knew what they were getting themselves into, but they put a lot of work into it. Our team is fast learners. Expectations are set high. The Quirks aren’t going to lower any expectations, no matter who they have on their team.”
The Raiders haven’t put back-to-back wins together yet, but if there was ever a time, now is it. They play at Lawrenceville School 4:15 p.m. today for the chance to even their Mid-Atlantic Prep League record at 2-2. They lost to Peddie and Blair and have defeated Hill handily, 19-5.
”I think it would definitely change stuff for us,” Manochio said. “We work a lot on confidence. If we go into the game how we went into today’s game, confident and ready to play, and we beat Lawrenceville, it will definitely give us the motivation and encouragement to realize how good we are and play up to our potential against better teams.
”Beating these (PDS) type of teams are fun, but I think we’d all rather beat a bunch of MAPL teams.”
Beal was impressive against the Panthers. She struck out nine and only walked two as she continues to adjust to her new role.
”We just need to put everything together in one game,” Quirk said. “Today, our pitching was on. Dani pitched the best she has so far. She struck out nine and only walked two. It all has to do with her confidence. I think she’s starting to feel more confident on the mound. I didn’t realize how much we’d miss Meghan Hayes. I think Dani is starting to realize how good she can be.”
The Raiders just need Beal to continue to throw strikes. Even with the youth behind her, Hun feels good.
”We’re holding our own in the field,” Quirk said. “That’s one thing we pride ourselves on — we’re usually a pretty good defensive team.
”We’ve been working on batting every single day, different drills, different things. Manochio went 4-for-4, and they were nice line drive hits. She’s been hitting. Leach is hitting. McTigue is hitting the ball.”
Beal also bears the pressure of batting fourth in the Raiders lineup. Right behind her in fifth is Manochio, who batted there plenty last year as well.
”I like the middle because all the girls in front of me, the girls before me, know how to get on base,” Manochio said. “I’m not pressured to get on. I can just do my thing.”
Hun has been taking turns with the hot hand, with plenty of its pieces showing they can hit.
”Through the weeks, we’ll all get in a zone and a few people will have good weeks,” Manochio said. “When we fall out, other girls have those. By the end of the season, we’ll all be together hopefully.
”I think we psyche ourselves out a lot,” she added. “In practices, and in Florida, you can tell we’re a great team. Every single girl on the team knows how to play softball. I think it’s nerves. Mrs. Quirk always says our jitters need to go. Jitters are always there. We need to get our confidence up and know we can play with these other teams no matter how young we are.”
That’s the message the Raiders take into their game with rival Lawrenceville today. Another MAPL win would go a long way for confidence if they could knock off the Big Red.
”I don’t really know much about them,” Quirk said. “They’re fairly young as well. They lost some players too. I hope we can carry over what we had today into Friday. Some of it is just confidence, believing in themselves that they can win.”
With every game, the Raiders see glimpses of how good they can be. Manochio showed her ability to contribute Wednesday, and Hun put together one of its best all-around efforts.
”I just want to see our team work together and prove to all the other teams that we can do it,” Manochio said. “It’s not all about age or any of that. It’s about talent and bonding and coaching. I think we have it all. We just have to put it all together.”