High Tech flying high with only undefeated softball mark in Hudson
Vince Nardiello remembers the early lean years of the High Tech softball program, when the virtually obscure school located on Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen initiated softball six years ago.
"We were 0-fer," Nardiello said. "I don’t remember the exact records, but we were constantly looking for a win. And we didn’t get many. There was no need to count them."
But things started to turn around for Nardiello’s program last year, when High Tech posted a surprising 17-5 record.
"We started to draw kids from North Bergen, who were good students and wanted to come to our school," said Nardiello, the only coach the program has had. "The kids had played softball in the North Bergen recreation program. Their loss was my gain."
Although Nardiello was ready to welcome some talented newcomers this season, there was still some apprehension because five seniors graduated from last year’s team.
"It was hard to say how good we could be this year," Nardiello said. "Losing as many players as were losing, we had some questions."
Nardiello could not have imagined what would transpire this season, because the team that used to go seasons without a single win has now gone more than halfway through this campaign without a single loss.
The Lazercats (yes, that is the High Tech official nickname) are currently Hudson County’s lone undefeated team, winning all 13 of their games thus far.
"We’ve done much better than expected," Nardiello said. "I keep waiting for the bubble to burst, but they keep surprising me."
Part of the reason for the success has been the playing of freshman catcher Megan Gale, who is hitting better than .600 with four homers and 34 RBI.
"She’s been killing the ball," Nardiello said. "People told me that she was a special player, but I didn’t think she’d turn out this good."
Another key performer has been sophomore first baseman Michelle Bartoli, who is batting .500 with 30 RBI out of the cleanup slot. Bartoli has driven in 20 runs in the last two weeks alone.
Nardiello has two pitchers to call upon in junior Jessica Hall (10-0) and junior Ashley Daus (3-0), who just became eligible after transferring from the Academy of Sacred Heart.
"I have no problem using either one," Nardiello said. "I have faith in both. Hall has great control and doesn’t walk many. Ashley just throws smoke. They compliment each other well."
Junior Lina Martinez is the Lazercats’ starting second baseman. She is batting over .300 and plays solid defense. Two seniors, Stephanie Calvo at shortstop and Jessica Castenon at third base, anchor the infield as well as the act as the table setters in the offensive attack.
"Castenon is our leadoff hitter and she’s on base all the time," Nardiello said. "Stephanie gets us going as well."
In the outfield, Nardiello counts on freshman Camilla Rodriguez in centerfield, uses a platoon of junior Jessica Rivera and sophomore Nicole Hall (Jessica’s sister) in left field and senior Nicole Laffman in right.
The Lazercats are averaging 15 runs per game and will take their undefeated record into the Hudson County Invitational tournament this weekend, when they face Harrison in the first round.
"It’s pretty exciting to be the lone undefeated team in the county," Nardiello said. "I didn’t even realize that we were the only ones. It is amazing. With this tournament, we will now get to see how good we really are."
But what’s with the nickname? Like, what in the world is a Lazercat?
"Honestly, I have no idea what it means or where it came from," Nardiello said. "The kids don’t like it, because they don’t know what it means either."
They know one thing. They’re undefeated. And the team with the very unique nickname owns first place in the HCIAA Segio Division, a far cry from those winless days.
"It’s been a fun year," Nardiello said. "I just hope we can keep it going."