By Wayne Witkowski
Jackson Liberty High School’s softball team has picked up where it left off following last year’s solid 16-7 season. The Lions are off to a 7-0 start, which includes a 10-0 victory over Red Bank Catholic High School April 16.
The Lions’ lineup is loaded with players committed to NCAA Division I programs as it pursues a Shore Conference B South Division championship.
Coach Laura Borrelli does not mince words about her team’s chances for another successful season, with hopes of surpassing the success of last year’s team that lost in the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group III semifinals to Wall High School by a run and in the Ocean County Tournament to eventual champion Pinelands Regional High School. Raritan High School beat the Lions in the Shore Conference Tournament.
It’s a young but experienced team with nine returnees, only three of which are seniors.
“I have been lucky enough to coach many talented athletes over the years and taken home two championships in seasons where we had only three and four losses, and still I believe this team has the greatest potential,” Borrelli said. “Their skill level, intensity and maturity all contribute to making them solid competitors who are looking to make a lot of noise this season. ”
Although rainy weather forced postponement of some games, there are two rematches included in their four division games in the upcoming days. The Lions were scheduled for home games April 19 against Barnegat High School and April 21 against Central Regional High School — a team it beat, 8-0, earlier in the season — and road games April 23 against Raritan High School and April 25 against Manchester Township High School, which the Lions had pounded by an 11-1 score earlier.
“I’m so proud with how our girls have been playing,” Borrelli said. “Although we have had many standout performances from individuals, each win really has been a team effort. They are playing loose and just enjoying playing the game which makes the whole experience that much more rewarding. We just take things one game at a time because they are all so important. But as long as we maintain our focus and intensity, I am excited about the future. ”
Although many games have been lopsided, Borrelli is more concerned about her team’s ability to pull out the close games, as three of the seven losses last season came by a run.
“We have many talented players this year. Some of our standout athletes include our junior shortstop, Kayla Conners, who made first team All-Shore last year (with a team-best .447 batting average, 37 RBIs, a .711 slugging percentage and four of the team’s eight home runs) and [verbally committed] to Wagner College in the offseason; sophomore pitcher Megan Conroy, who has committed to Drexel [University]; senior catcher Chelsea Czapkowski, who has signed at Canisius [College]; and senior leadoff hitter Ashley Eckett, who will continue playing next year at Arcadia [University],” Borrelli said.
Last season, Conroy batted .348 with 19 RBIs, and Eckett batted .384 with a .442 on-base percentage.
The coach also praised steady sophomore first baseman Annabelle Santino as an integral part of the team’s defense. Last season, Santino batted .324 with 14 RBIs.
Junior Brianna Holder is a good all-around contributor at third base.
Infielders Tayler Martini, the third senior on the team who had 10 RBIs playing in 22 games, and sophomores Madison Rodriguez and Amanda Harrison fill in well with the range and arms that earned Borrelli’s praise at second base and other infield spots as needed.
“Kayla Hayes, a freshman, is a tremendous addition to the team and will be a vital utility player for us. Illiana Flores, another freshman, will offer depth in the lineup as a solid hitter,” Borrelli said.
She said the mental side going forward is important to the team’s success.
“This year, we just want to polish things up a little bit and tighten up play more so that we can pull away in games like that,” Borrelli said. “We want to stay aggressive, both at the plate and in the field and create opportunities for ourselves through hard work.”