North Bergen has been clearly the dominant softball program in Hudson County for the last few years, rolling through the opposition like Sherman rolled through Atlanta.
But when it comes time for the Bruins to play championship-like softball at season’s end, it hasn’t happened as often as it should.
Take for instance last year, when the Bruins posted a 22-4 record, then fell in shocking fashion to Union City in the finals of the Hudson County Tournament.
Veteran head coach Tom Eagleson, who won his 500th game as head coach last year and ranks sixth all-time in New Jersey softball in terms of coaching victories, tries not to think about what happened last year.
“Each year is a different year,” Eagleson said. “It used to really get to me in the past, but now, I just let the girls play and whatever happens, happens. We basically have a new bunch this year.”
The Bruins will field basically a new roster this year, with returning starters only at catcher and third base.
It will also be a novel year, because for the last 20 years, Eagleson has had a four-year pitcher. He has just handed the ball to a pitcher and let her stay there on the mound for four years, with players like April Smith, Jodie Hild, Tara Solan, Kiara Smith and last year’s Hudson Reporter Most Valuable Player Carla Arismendi, currently pitching at Southern University in Louisiana.
All of the aforementioned pitchers earned Hudson Reporter All-Area honors multiple times during their careers on the mound for the Bruins, from freshman through senior years.
However, Eagleson does not have the luxury of developing a four-year pitcher this year.
“Someone mentioned that to me the other day,” Eagleson said. “I hadn’t given it a lot of thought, but I did have all those pitchers for four years. It was nice to have.”
This year, the pitching duties fall on the shoulders of junior Jessica Feria, who becomes Eagleson’s first left-hander since Hudson County Hall of Famer Carol Cook in the late 1980s. Cook was an All-State pitcher for the Bruins, leading them to a state title.
“Jessica has been pitching for us for almost a year now, pitching through the summer and into the fall, so she’s used to the routine now,” Eagleson said. “She’s going to be our pitcher for two years. She’s worked very hard at it and has some good moments.”
Feria has had some good moments already, earning victories in the Bruins’ first two games against Cliffside Park and Union City, defeating the defending county champs in an extra-inning thriller, 7-5, last Tuesday.
“Jessica has good movement on her pitches, especially as a lefty,” Eagleson said. “She’s pitching well and she’s improved her control.”
If Feria needs a break, sophomore Amanda Cabrera is a capable thrower.
The catcher is senior Kayla Muniz, who batted .485 with 12 RBI after she became eligible to play. Muniz had to sit out 30 days last spring due to the NJSIAA transfer rule, but she’s ready and capable this season.
“She’s a veteran catcher and she makes a big difference with us,” Eagleson said. “I think she’s the best catcher around. It helps an awful lot breaking in a new pitcher, having an experienced catcher back there. It also helps that Jessica and Kayla are best friends.”
Junior Natalie Rodriguez, who missed most of last season due to an injury, is back healthy and holding the first base duties for the Bruins. Sophomore Alize Sarmiento is the Bruins’ second baseman.
Junior Nerylix Cerda, the team’s starting left fielder last year, has been shifted to shortstop. Cerda is a good hitter, having batted .413 with 32 RBI and 26 runs scored last season.
“She’s handled the move very well,” Eagleson said. “At the plate, she’s the real deal. She hits the ball real well.”
Cerda hit a clutch homer in the win over Union City.
Junior Sabrina Reyes is the team’s third baseman. Reyes played there last year and batted .459 with 21 RBI and 21 runs scored last season.
Eagleson is doing some work in the outfield. Sophomore Christina Otero, who spent last season as the team’s designated courtesy runner, has earned an everyday spot in left field. Senior Thalia Garcia, who spent the last two years with the Bruins’ junior varsity squad, is the centerfielder. Samantha Izquierdo, who also played JV last year, is in right field.
Senior Angie Santa Cruz, sophomore Jessica Godoy and freshmen Jaylene Grimes, Amber Antigua and Xiomara Taylor are all key reserves.
Eagleson has a good sense of his team.
“If you would have asked me a month ago, I would have thought we would be lucky to finish .500,” Eagleson said. “But after the scrimmages and the first two games, we just keep getting better and better. I think we’re going to be like good old North Bergen softball teams. I really do. Something clicked and I’m pretty confident about our chances. We’ll see.”
Certainly have to see when May rolls around…
It was great news that the Jersey City Board of Education voted last week to rename the athletic complex at Caven Point as the Edward Ford Memorial Athletic Complex.
Ford, known to everyone in local sports circles as “The Faa,” died last April. He spent a lot of his life at the complex and literally lived there for more than a decade. It’s a fitting honor and tribute and now kids from the area will forever remember “The Faa” in perpetuity…
The Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame has been restored and will hold its annual induction dinner May 17 at the Casino-in-the-Park in Jersey City. More on the inductees in future tidbits…
Secaucus High School boys’ basketball coach Bill Millevoi, Jr. will not return next season and there is a search already to try to find Millevoi’s replacement…
Condolences go out in two instances this week.
First, George Winters of Union City passed away last month and that news somehow flew under the radar. Winters, the father of former Green Bay Packers Super Bowl champion center Frank, was 74 years old.
More importantly, Winters was a regular reader of this column who would write letters to tell how he felt about certain topics. Winters was a true gentleman and one of a kind and will be sorely missed.
Secondly, condolences to the wonderful Boylan family of downtown Jersey City, who lost their patriarch, James, last week at the age of 95.
Mr. Boylan was the principal at Ferris High School for many years and was honored to have the school’s library named in his honor a few years ago. An avid sports fan, Boylan was the father-in-law of renowned baseball guru Joe Wladyka. Another true gentleman who had the fortune of creating such a wonderful and immense family, his legacy will live on in those children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Rest in peace…–Jim Hague.
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.