By Jimmy Allinder
When the Spotswood High School and South River High School softball teams play large school opponents, they usually have difficulty winning.
However, within the friendly confines of their respective Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Blue and Gold Divisions, the Chargers and Rams have excelled and that will likely be the same case this spring.
Spotswood, 17-4 a year ago, is the defending Blue Division champion, has posted a 7-1 record so far and is unbeaten in the division (4-0).
Meanwhile, South River is off to a 5-2 start following an 18-9 overall record and 10-4 division mark a year ago.
The key to each team’s success has been quality pitching, as both starters are back in the circle. Alexa Raba has looked as effective as she was a year ago when she posted a 15-3 record with 92 strikeouts in 110 innings. Now a senior, she has been responsible for every decision, and just as important has been Raba’s hitting (.444 average, 12 hits, eight runs batted in).
Raba’s sister, Julie Raba, anchors the infield at shortstop and is another key player on both offense and defense. The junior scorched the ball to the tune of a .508 average and 33 hits last year and is currently hitting .379 with 11 hits.
Seniors Megan Poulson (third base) and Brianne Worden (outfield) provide leadership and experience. The junior contingent includes Olivia Hellerich (first base), Rachel Intravartola (utility), Gabby Pietanza (outfield), Megan Tully (catcher), Shannon Gonnella (outfield) and Katie Rivera (utility).
Sophomores expected to see action are outfielder Cassie Archer, second baseman and outfielder Krista VanWageninge, first basemen Camryn Andrulewich and Joey Bartusek, Emily Curnal in a reserve pitching role and Bella Santiago as a utility player. Freshman Savannah Robinson will also be a utility player.
In addition to McCarrick back in the circle, South River returns junior Sam Buckenberger at second base; seniors Layanni Colbert, Miche Dias and Caitlyn Gardner in the outfield; and Breona Hill at catcher.
Newcomers to the lineup include junior Katelyn Lange (second base), sophomores Jenna Dohery (first base) and Josephine Fusco (outfield), and freshmen Madison Franco (outfield), Haley Joynes (third base), Hannah Kurtz (shortstop) and Jordin Lyons (catcher).