Sometimes progress isn’t measured in wins and losses.
For East Windsor softball coach Karen Drake, satisfaction is knowing she finally has enough players for a junior varsity team.
“We have 14 freshmen out for the team,” Drake said.
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The challenge for East Windsor will be that as many as four freshmen might start at times this season. Despite the youth, or perhaps because of it, there is reason for optimism for Drake’s team, which improved from one win to 9-12 last season and did not lose a player to graduation.
For starters, there is Briana Matteson, who switched to pitcher last season after two years at third base. In a sport where pitching is an art often learned in the pre-teen years and honed at pitching academies, such a switch is not easy. An extra year of experience should help.
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So should shortstop Kayla Hersom, who anchors the defense.
“Kayla is very athletic and can move well and will dive for balls,” Drake said. “She has a good arm and great knowledge of the game.”
Seniors Kelly Lemay and Lashanda Hilson provide experience, speed and the ability to reach base ahead of junior Melody Alford and sophomore catcher Allison Rodrigue. Julia Matteson will provide relief pitching for her sister Brianna but the success of East Windsor, as well as it hopes of returning to the Class S state tournament, may well rest on the progress of the freshmen.
Melissa Wabble has already been installed at third base while Maggie Karwowski, Nicole Elliot and Megan Murray also look to get time in the lineup.
The goal is a simple.
“Make the state tournament like last year,” Drake said.
If the freshmen grow quickly, East Windsor will have a chance.
East Windsor baseball coach Todd DaCunha won’t need to rely on freshmen, at least not on the mound. DJ Titus, Connor Halloran and Jacob Kocum are among the seniors who pitched meaningful innings for East Windsor last season, when it fell just short of a berth in the state tournament.
This season, the three seniors promise to give East Windsor an opportunity in most games. Add in the extra base power of Joshua Canning and Ryan Briggs and the Bulldogs should be able to score runs even after losing players such as CJ Shefrin from the lineup.
If DaCunha has an excess of leadership available, girls track coach Andrew Masters will need to lean on Stephanie Berardi, Kelly Strba and Samantha Turmenne – the only seniors on a 31-member team.
Sophomores Melanie Byrne and Chelsea Burns are among those whose potential could be shaped in the outdoor season. Boys track coach Dan Ward has a little more experience but not much. Nick Parker, Eric Strba, Alex Szymanski, Conner Griffin and Jaisean Bowens are the seniors.
Freshman Kevin Mocadlo, who was an integral part of the basketball team during the winter, is the golf team.
