By Matthew Rocco
The Raritan High School softball team will be much younger this season. But with a senior ace in the circle and a hungry lineup, the Rockets expect another big year on the field.
The Rockets went 19-10 in their 2015 campaign and made it as far as the quarterfinals in the Shore Conference Tournament. Raritan has since lost four key players to graduation. Although the pressure is now on underclassmen to fill the void, head coach Aado Kommendant sees a lot of talent coming into the fold.
“My goal is to make this the best year of Raritan softball ever,” Kommendant said.
One reason for optimism is Nicole Coppolino. The senior is entering her third season as a starting pitcher after a strong 2015. Her experience and leadership will be something the Rockets can count on this year.
“I think pitching will definitely be a strength,” Kommendant said. “With all the work she has put in, I have a lot of confidence in her.”
Kommendant noted it helps to have battery mates who are familiar with one another’s style. Raritan’s battery, Coppolino and junior catcher Michelle Nestor, have worked together from the start.
“Between me, Nicole and Michelle, you could say great minds think alike. When I say something to Michelle, I’m pretty sure she’s already thinking the same thing,” Kommendant said.
The entire team has some experience playing together, too. Over a dozen Rockets, including the team’s four juniors, competed against other area high schools in a summer league hosted by Wall High School. The league provided teams with an opportunity to get a running start to the 2016 season.
And with less than a week before opening day, Raritan has played in eight scrimmages and plans on participating in five more exhibition games to get in some extra work.
Sophomore Ashley Marino will be a centerpiece of the lineup. As a freshman, the shortstop ranked 14th in the Shore Conference in batting average, hitting .490. The Rockets expect big contributions from Nestor and fellow juniors Nicole Kirse (first base/pitcher), Hallie Barone (outfield/first base) and Clare DeJoy (outfield).
Raritan’s preliminary varsity roster also includes sophomores Annalesa DiLaurenzio (outfield/infield) and Alexis Zinckgraf (outfield/pitcher/first base); and freshmen Nicole Buckley (infield/pitcher), Brooke Brady (infield/catcher), Gabby Zweidinger (infield) and Erynn Boyle (pitcher/outfield).
Kommendant believes Raritan’s returning players and freshmen additions give the Rockets some firepower at the plate.
“I think we’ll surprise some people,” he said.
The head coach, who is leading Raritan for an eighth season, has drawn up a challenging schedule for his Rockets. The goal is to get the team ready for big games during the season’s final stretch.
The Rockets will travel to Immaculate Heart Academy April 9 for the Anthony Larezza Invitational, where they will play Saddle Brook High School. Raritan will hit the road again that day, playing Hudson Catholic Regional High School in the Mount St. Dominic Academy Softball Invitational at Caldwell University. A week later, Raritan is playing another Saturday doubleheader. The Rockets will face St. Rose High School in the Manalapan Give Back Classic and Newark Academy in the N.J. Pride/Essex County High School Softball Challenge.
Also, Raritan will host the seventh annual Stephanie Coonan Don’t Stop Believin’ Classic April 23.
Kommendant feels Raritan’s up-and-comers are up to the challenge of a daunting schedule.
“I think they are going to enjoy it,” Kommendant said. “It may not be reflected in our win-loss record, but we’re challenging ourselves. Even if the outcome is not positive, it gets us ready for games at the end that will make or break your season.”
The Rockets are set to open the season April 1 at Monmouth Regional High School. The home opener will be April 6 against Manasquan High School.
