RHS tops Hopewell
By Bob Nuse, The Packet Group
As it did a year ago, the Robbinsville High softball team has been rolling through the regular season unscathed.
Last year, the wins just kept coming all the way through the season as the Ravens went undefeated and won the state Group II championship.
This year, the team is on the same kind of roll, but with a different feel.
”It is so different this year,” Robbinsville coach Christine Cabarle said after her team improved to 12-0 with a 15-0 win over Hopewell Valley on Monday. “Last year we won one and then the next and the next and it was like, ‘wow’. All of sudden you look around and you think we have a good shot. We were the underdog in that final and won it.
”This year is different because of the pressure and the talk. But our philosophy is always to take it pitch by pitch, game by game. We have to take care of this week and then we look to next week. It has a different feel this year.”
The feel may be different, but the results have been the same. The Ravens’ win over Hopewell was their ninth this season via shutout. It was also the fifth time they have scored at least 10 runs in a game as the offense continues to improve.
”Everyone knows we have a target on our back so we know we have to play even better and that helps keep us focused,” leadoff hitter Christine Levering said “I didn’t know at first what it would like for us this year but think it is better for us. Last year in the MCT and states we knew we had to win or go home. This year we are undefeated and want to keep that mindset. We don’t want to start slow in any game.”
Levering has done her part to make sure the Ravens start quickly in every game. As the leadoff hitter she is the catalyst and last week she was at her best, going 9-for-11 and stealing three bases.
”When I lead off I know I have to get it started and be more confident,” Levering said. “My main focus is to get on base. I feel like the rest of the team gets confidence when I get on and then the whole team gets more confidence.”
Confidence shouldn’t be an issue for the Ravens, who are performing well in every facet of the game right now.
”The girls who hit last year are hitting better this year and girls who didn’t hit much last year are hitting this year,” Cabarle said. “Our offense has been good. We have had three girls hit it out of the park this year. Rebecca Freeman has hit two out of the park. Kerry Curren and Lauren Hunter did it in the same inning against Lawrence. It’s been exciting.”
The Robbinsville schedule has some big challenges ahead with the Mercer County Tournament, as well as games against Hunterdon Central and Pennsbury.
”After winning states last year we feel like we are all more together and have more confidence,” Levering said. “We know we can hit and we have done it before. We just have to go up there and do what we can do.
”We just take each game as it comes. I couldn’t even tell you who we play at end of the week. I know we play Allentown next and then we just take it game by game and inning by inning.”

