By Warren Rappleyea
With a healthy lineup and several talented younger players, Old Bridge High School’s softball team will be looking to move up to .500 or better this spring after turning in a 7-14 record a year ago.
Coach Mike Bilello’s Lady Knights could do even better, as evidenced by the team’s run to the quarterfinals of the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Tournament, where Old Bridge fell to East Brunswick High School, 6-5.
“We showed what we’re capable of at the end of last season, but we’re still a young team playing in a very tough [Red] Division,” the coach said. “Also, we will be challenged with several tough non-division games. The majority of our starters are young players. I just want this team to be battle-tested for the GMC and state tournaments.”
The Lady Knights’ late-season spurt coincided with the return of third baseman Meaghan Dowdell, who missed most of the 2015 season with an injury. Once back in the lineup, the junior hit .312 and drove in five runs. She also went 1-2 on the mound. Bilello said Dowdell is healthy and is poised to have a solid campaign.
Old Bridge should be able to score runs and several .300 hitters are also back. Pitcher/outfielder Miranda Wade is also healthy this season. The senior battled through a back injury and still managed to hit .369 with 14 RBIs, but she was limited to just three innings in the circle.
Alex Grubiak, who did most of the pitching last year, will again be a mainstay. In 122 innings of work, she struck out 111 opposing hitters. Grubiak also contributed at the plate, batting .316.
Sophomore Nicole Cashman, who moves to center field after patrolling the hot corner a year ago, batted .379 with a pair of home runs and nine RBIs to her credit. Catcher Jessica Ahrean, another sophomore, hit .344 with 11 RBIs and will bat fifth this time around. Third baseman/outfielder Bri Loughlin batted .306 as a freshman, and Nia Carrasco, who will play second base, saw some action there last spring.
Bilello has been impressed with the play of speedy freshman Jessica Gaughan, who should be a force for the next four years. Gaughan will bat leadoff after earning the nod at shortstop with a strong preseason. A trio of juniors will share the left field job: Marissa Afonso, Madison Clarke and Vanessa Driskill.
Old Bridge had a tough draw on opening day April 1 against Piscataway Township High School, coming up against Sarah Ogilvie, who tossed a perfect game for the Chiefs. Dowdell pitched well in the loss, allowing just two runs while striking out six and scattering seven hits over six innings.
The Lady Knights are back in action April 7 when Perth Amboy High School comes to town, with Wall High School visiting April 9 for a non-divisional matchup.