By keeping things simple and focusing on the fundamentals, the 2014 softball season is turning into a winning one for Howell High School.
The Rebels are 11-5 and find themselves in contention in the Shore Conference A North Division.
“Our approach in every game is to be aggressive at the plate and play solid defense,” coach Tricia Savino said. “The girls know to be successful, we have to play well defensively.”
Catcher Vivian Montgomery and center fielder Taylor Mennie lead the defense.
“They are vocal leaders on the team, always making sure the girls are ready for the next play or situation,” Savino said. “Both girls have very strong arms, which keep runners from taking advantage of extra bases.”
Montgomery and pitcher Alex Hartman are working every well together as a battery tandem. “[Hartman] is a true competitor and has a lot of heart for the game,” the coach said.
Offensively, newcomer Sabrina Rittweger has been a welcome addition. She has led the team in just about every offensive category. She’s batting .490 with eight doubles among her 25 hits. She has 16 RBIs.
Paige Eckert is right behind Rittweger. The two-year starter has 24 hits and 11 RBIs, and she is batting .453.
Veteran Annemarie Bartow, the senior captain, has bounced back from a preseason injury and is contributing to the offense. She recently smacked her 100th career base hit.
Howell, which lost in the quarterfinals of the Monmouth County Tournament to Manasquan High School, 7-6, played at Middletown High School South on May 5 and hosted the Eagles on May 6 in games that could be very important for both clubs.