By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
With a team that often has as many as six freshmen on the field, West Windsor-Plainsboro High South softball coach Kristen Delarosa has relied heavily on her veteran leadership.
“This is a young team that was trying to find themselves on a varsity field,” said Delarosa, whose team is 9-11 after a 5-4 win over Notre Dame on Wednesday. “We have a lot of freshmen. Sometimes we have six freshmen out there on the field.
“It’s a young team and they are trying to find their confidence. Now that they can see what they can do on the field they are getting more confidence in themselves. We have good leadership with our captains Sam Schattin, Rachel Julius and Courtney Skolka.”
Skolka had a big day at the plate in last week’s 6-2 win over WW-P North at RJ Ward Field. The junior catcher connected on a pair of home runs to lift the Pirates over their rivals.
“It was really good because it was the North-South game and we came together as a team,” Skolka said. “I think we needed to come together as a team in order to be successful and I thought we did a good job with supporting each other and backing each other up.
“It was kind of exciting. I just went out and tried to make little contact. You can’t swing for the fences. You just have to concentrate on getting on base. It’s always fun (to play at Ward) because it brings back memories. It’s always fun to go back and play there.”
The Pirates head into the state tournament riding some momentum. They have won three of their last four games as they prepare to begin post-season play. South is the No. 14 seed in the Central Jersey Group 4 tournament and will face third-seeded South Brunswick in the opening round. Montgomery is the No. 8 seed and will host ninth-seeded Sayreville. WW-P North is seeded 10th and will play at seventh-seeded Hightstown. Princeton, the No. 11 seed will play at sixth-seeded Monroe.
“I feel like we’re coming together as a team,” Skolka said. “I feel like we have good momentum for the end of the season.”
Skolka has been steady behind the plate since moving back to her favorite position last year.
“I feel like I kind of blossomed last year and this year I have been keeping it going and hopefully it will continue next year, too,” she said. “I played outfield as a freshman and then moved to catcher. I’ve played catcher too long not to like it. I love the position.
Added Delarosa: “I asked her the other day if this was her favorite thing in the world because it sure looks like it is her favorite thing in the world. She is a solid rock back there. If we find we are having an inning where we are losing ourselves she is good at getting everybody relaxed and steady.”
The Pirates have a young core of players but will miss the seniors who graduate. Schattin recently collected her 100th career hit in a loss to Monroe.
“She is one of those batters that when she gets up to bat she can change her mind in an instant and figure out exactly what is best in that moment,” Delarosa said. “She can put the ball wherever she needs to put it.”
