Ocean Township High School’s softball team completed its spring season with a 16-12 record, and the future continues to look bright for the Spartans as several young players stepped into the lineup and did well.
Coach Ryan Pringle’s team finished fourth in the Shore Conference’s Class B North Division. Ocean Township, the 16th seed, downed 17th-seeded Howell High School (13-9) in the opening round of the conference tournament before bowing to top-seeded St. John Vianney High School (25-2) in the second round.
The Spartans entered the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III tournament as the 11th seed and upended Northern Burlington County Regional High School (17-9), the sixth seed, in the first round to advance to the quarterfinals, where they were defeated by third-seeded Steinert High School (22-6).
Ocean Township will lose several key players to graduation, including ace pitcher Michaela Pembleton, who did the lion’s share of work in the circle. Pembleton compiled a 16-10 record with a 2.65 ERA in 156 innings of work. She was also a factor at the plate, batting .347 to go with 11 RBIs. Pembleton will continue her career at Neumann College next season.
Shortstop Kelli Shapiro, who hit .293, drew 11 walks and scored 27 runs, will also be missed, along with outfielders Kaitlyn Pascua (.258) and Gabby Ferrara and second baseman McKenzie Clare. “We had solid senior leadership, and that was a key to our success because they played hard and led by example,” Pringle said. “That had such a positive effect and really helped our younger players.”
Those younger players, along with junior first baseman Veronica Woehr, will be the core of the team next spring. In her third varsity campaign, Woehr hit .329 with four home runs, 26 RBIs and 20 runs scored. The coach noted that junior outfielder Taylor Bell, who played well when called upon, will also return.
Sophomore infielder Giovanna Russomanno hit .454, which led the team, with three homers, 27 RBIs and 30 runs scored. Another talented sophomore is catcher/outfielder Morgan Walsh, who led the Spartans in RBIs with 32 and was second on the team with a .437 average and five homers.
Giana Graziano ended the season with a .297 average and nine RBIs.
Russomanno and Graziano both saw limited time in the circle this spring, but will likely see more innings next spring.
In addition, catcher Emma Vasen made an instant impact for the Spartans. The freshman blasted a team-leading seven home runs and added 25 RBIs while batting .333. Vasen also scored a team-high 31 times.
“We certainly have a strong foundation to build on for next year,” Pringle said. “We’re going to miss our seniors, and it’s always tough to lose your best pitcher. Still, I think we’ll be in pretty good shape.”