Jackson Memorial High School’s softball team, bolstered by the hot hitting of .400 batter Sarah Freyre, a senior third baseman, and junior pitcher Kara Molnar, are geared for a competitive season with only two starters graduated from last season.
“It’s a young, tight-knit group with room to grow,” said Ryan Williams, an assistant to varsity coach Chris Roma. “We should improve from last season.”
Molnar will throw to her sister, junior catcher Kayla Molnar, who also saw a lot of action last season when Jackson Memorial finished 11-12. Junior shortstop Teresa Carr, who has been leading off in the batting order, and senior center fielder Kayla Reale also bring experience from last season. Freyre delivered a two-run homer as the No. 3 batter in the order when Jackson Memorial opened its season with a 6-1 rout of Brick Memorial High School. The Jaguars lost their second game to Toms River High School North, 7-4. They rebounded, however, with a 3-2 victory over Lacey Township High School.
On tap for this week was a road game against Toms River High School East on April 10 before returning home against Brick Township High School on April 12.
Sophomore second baseman Jordan Barcus has been batting second in the lineup, followed by Freyre, Kayla and Kara Molnar, Reale and freshman first baseman Dana Variello.