Softball teams hit the diamond with the arrival of spring
by Michael Mack
With the return of the spring comes the return of softball. It’s not just the boys getting back onto the diamond, as the girls of Florence Township Memorial High School, Bordentown Regional High School and Northern Burlington County Regional High School are taking the field as well.
Florence is off to an incredible start this season. The Flashes are undefeated through their first three games, and have allowed only one run during that stretch.
Head Coach Alyssa Laird is staying down to earth despite the torrid start.
”My goals this season are that of any other coach. I would like to see the team make it as far as they did last year if not further,” Coach Laird said. “I want my players to enjoy playing and succeed in softball at all levels.”
As most coaches do, Laird is looking to her seniors for leadership this season. Catcher Rachael LeVach is being counted on to manage the pitchers, and the results so far speak for themselves.
”She has such a good relationship with our pitchers that is full of trust and knowledge that makes them all a force to be reckoned with,” Laird said.
Along with LeVach, Laird will be counting on fellow seniors Kaitlyn Poretti and Ashlee Ricciardi to lock down the defense in the middle of the infield as well as provide some offense at the plate.
The leadership from these seniors and the results that the team is producing have Coach Laird very confident early in this season.
”If we work together and play together as a team we will be able to achieve our goals,” Laird said. “I have all the confidence in the world in all of my players and I feel that their offensive and defensive skill will be able to carry us far.”
So far it seems like Coach Laird is right, as the Flashes have outscored their opponents 34-1 to start the season.
Another team off to a very hot start is the Bordentown softball club. The Scotties are sitting a 6-1 so far this season and have outscored their opponents 40-10.
Coach Hillary Allen has her team playing very well and working toward achieving their goals
”We have talked as a team a lot about goals this year,” Coach Allen said. “Bordentown Softball wants to win the division and continue to improve day in and day out.”
Coach Allen isn’t necessarily counting on any star players to lead her team. Instead, she ‘s counting on the dynamic that her team has to separate them from the pack.
”Our team unity will help us throughout the season,” Allen said. “The girls are so positive and support each other on and off the field. They are such great friends which leads to their success on the field.”
Allen will hope that dynamic will turn this hot start into a successful season as the Scotties make a run at a division title.
Northern Burlington is also off to a good start this season, boasting a 5-2 record through their first seven games. Interestingly enough, their only two losses have come to Florence and Bordentown.
Despite those losses, to two teams that are off to a blistering hot start, the Greyhounds have outscored their opponents 45-28. They will look to keep that kind of run output going as they try to parlay this start into a great season.

