Digraz sees bright future for MHS softball team
Ken Digraz knows all about the tradition of the Montgomery High softball program and is exciting about the possibilities for the future.
”They have had success in the past and this is a great area for softball,” said Digraz, the new head coach of the Cougars. “The girls are working hard and looking forward to a good season. They are doing the things they need to do to get ready for the season and they are very receptive to doing things the right way and going that extra step to do it right.”
Digraz brings 15 years of coaching experience to Montgomery. He has coached in the Skyland Conference at Watchung Hills as well as other stops.
”I have always liked coaching,” Digraz said. “I coached boys until my daughter played and then I switched to girls. I like it because it seems like the girls have been more receptive than the boys. I know most of the teams we’ll play and I am familiar with them from being at Gill and Watchung. There are a lot of good programs like Hillsborough, Bridgewater, Hunterdon Central and Watchung Hills.
”There are lot of good teams in the conference and they have strong traditions.”
The Cougars are scheduled to open the season on Wednesday at home against Ridge. Montgomery came into the week still looking to get out onto the field. Digraz is not locked into any one style of play for his team.
”It depends on the team,” said Gigraz, who coached last year at Golda Och Academy in West Orange. “If we have speed we’ll look to the short game. If we have power we’ll look for the long balls. We have not been outside yet because of the weather. I am sure the other schools have been in the same situation. It is a little harder to figure out the girls’ capabilities when we have not been out yet. You just have to take the good with the bad. We have a scrimmage Monday and hopefully that will give us some insight into what the players can do.”
The Cougars were 6-15 last year and will look to build on that this season.
”We have some returning players but not all of then were at the varsity level last year,” Digraz said. “Now we’re matching them up with the right positions. We lost seven seniors from last year. It will be better once we can consistently get out on the field. It’s hard because you want to see the girls react to different situations.”
