After enjoying a 20-3 season a year ago, High Tech High School softball coach Vince Nardiello wanted to see if his team, consisting mainly of returning players, could handle an increase in the level of competition.
"We thought we had to play better teams in order to get better," Nardiello said. "So we picked up some teams that we never played before and dropped some of the teams that weren’t as competitive. We felt that we wanted to be able to be at least competitive with some of the better teams around."
So Nardiello scheduled games with Holy Family Academy, Rutherford, Emerson, Fort Lee and Dickinson, teams that never appeared on High Tech’s schedule during the six-year history of the softball program.
The results have been positive. High Tech currently owns an impressive 14-3 record and is looking for its third consecutive HCIAA Seglio Division championship. The Lasercats have not lost a single game inside the league in those three years, spanning 26 games.
"We’re all very happy with what has happened thus far," Nardiello said. "We’re hoping that there’s a carryover into the [NJSIAA Group I] state tournament. That’s what hurt us in the past. We never saw good competition in the regular season and then it came back to bite us in the states."
Nardiello is blessed to have starting pitcher Ashley Daus back from last year’s team. Daus, who had to share time on the mound with fellow senior Jessica Hall last year, has six shutouts and is averaging 12 strikeouts per game this season. Hall has pitched in some games, but has concentrated on her outfield play this year.
Sophomore catcher Meghan Gale has also been a steady force for the Lasercats. Gale is batting an even .500 with five homers and 31 RBI.
"She displays a lot of power," Nardiello said.
Freshman Amanda Boros has been a find and has become the team’s starter at shortstop. Junior first baseman Michelle Bartoli has been steady at the plate, with a batting average right around .400. Sophomore third baseman Kamilla Rodriguez is also hitting around .400. All four players give Nardiello hope for an even brighter future.
Senior Lina Martinez handles the duties at second base. Hall, her younger sister, Nicole, a junior, and senior Jessica "Puffy" Rivera man the outfield slots. Nardiello gave Rivera the nickname and it has nothing to do with any rap recording artist.
"She has puffy hair, so I called her Puffy," Nardiello said.
Fair enough.
Freshman first baseman/outfielder Anastasia Torres and sophomore outfielder Liz Schneider give the Lasercats some quality depth.
"It’s been a good season so far," Nardiello said. "We talked about upgrading the schedule with the girls and they were all for it. They wanted to see how well they were improving and they want to continue to improve."
The improvement was shown last Tuesday, when the Lasercats defeated Dickinson for the second time this season.
"We never beat them before," Nardiello said.
There’s always a first time for everything. – Jim Hague