New Egypt High School’s softball team has reached the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I finals the last five years, and this year’s experienced infield and quality pitching give the team solid leverage to contend for another state title appearance. The Warriors made three straight trips to the state finals from 2010-12, winning titles the first two years.
That tested infield backs a solid pitching corps led by senior Jenna Rodriguez, whose array of seven pitches yielded only eight hits in New Egypt’s first three games last week. The Warriors scored victories over Pemberton Township High School, 10-1, Moorestown High School, 2-0, and Burlington City High School, 10-0. Rodriguez gave up only one hit to Moorestown in the fourth inning and did not walk a batter, and her defense allowed only one other baserunner on an error.
Despite a new outfield, in which the four principal players are three freshmen and a sophomore, coach Kevin English believes the players can quickly mature into their roles based on their talent.
“This year, we’re starting at a higher level,” English said. “There’s less work needed to get closer to winning a section. We want to win our division, but we look to win our section. There’s not a year that goes by that we have not had a team to do that. That’s the benchmark. We’re not afraid to say we’ll compete for another state championship.”
Those are not brash words considering that New Egypt is well-prepared, playing as the smallest school by far this year in the Burlington County Scholastic League Liberty Division, where it was moved last year. The team finished 15-10 last season, but English stressed it was a satisfying finish returning to the section finals, where New Egypt lost to Florence Township Memorial High School.
This will be a telltale week and a great experience for the young outfield with games on April 10 at Delran High School, April 11 at Willingboro High School and April 12 in the grueling Rancocas Valley Tournament, where New Egypt opens at noon against Vineland High School. On the same side of the bracket is defending Group IV state champion Washington Township High School, which knocked New Egypt out of last year’s tournament. The tournament finals are on April 13.
“We’re making strides every day, despite a short preseason,” English said. “The hitting can be more consistent. We’ve done a nice job of putting things together and creating runs. This team has great balance. It’s a good hitting team, a good pitching team [and] a pretty good fielding team that gets better every game. And when we get there with that, we’ll be good.
“We’re not far off,” English said. “We’re very close.”
Throw in the senior leadership of Jamie Soles, a third-year starter at shortstop, and catcher Amber Steen, and this is a well-anchored team. Soles is headed for the University of Hartford in the fall, and Steen plans to play soccer and softball when she starts her college career at Burlington County College.
They are part of an experienced infield that spent the early part of last season with some players getting comfortable at new positions. Sophomore Faith Weber is back at first base and is one of the three leading pitchers. When Weber’s on the mound, Rodriguez will play first. Junior Sarah LoRicco is the second baseman. Senior Gaby Morfin is also playing at second base after sitting out last season to recover from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Danielle Lewis, a junior who is expected to see her share of innings on the mound, will start at third base. English said he’s not certain who will fill in at third when Lewis pitches until the need arises.
They are expected to get a lot of work during the season backing pitchers Rodriguez, who looks to keep hitters off balance with a medley of fastballs, curves, screwballs, risers and changeups, and Weber and Lewis, who rely on hitting their spots.
“They won’t blow away anybody with 17 strikeouts. They don’t pitch that way, but try to get ground balls,” English said.
As for the outfield, which started with a huge void with the graduation of Alexa Magnotta and Krystal Plummer, freshman Meagan Smith and Gabby Medina are in center field and left field, respectively. Sophomore Kalilah Johnson and freshman Rebecca Lombardo will share innings in right field.
“This is one of the most talented new groups I’ve seen, and it’s just them feeling comfortable at the varsity level with the speed of the game,” English said. “Last year, we turned over our infield and there were growing pains, but they became the foundation for optimism that we can be really good this year.”
In fact, Smith is batting leadoff, followed by LoRicco, Soles and Rodriguez.
English said everyone is adjusting well, especially LoRicco.
“She’s the most coachable kid I’ve ever seen,” English said. “She’s a great role player who loves her job. When you tell her to just move runners [at the plate] without hitting it out, she embraces it.”
It has set the trend for this year’s cohesive team and the prospect of another contending season.