By Jimmy Allinder
Kevin Brady knows better than anyone his East Brunswick High School softball team usually wins 20 or more games every season because of a well of talent that never runs dry.
This spring might be different.
The Bears graduated eight starters from last year’s 22-7 team, which won the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey, Group IV championship, and winning like it has in the past might prove challenging.
“We lost a lot of experience, and our primary task is to get varsity experience for a lot of new faces,” Brady said. “We have also put some of last year’s regulars in different positions, so we’ll see how that works out.”
The switch campaign includes moving senior Courtney Ur to the all-important pitching circle after two years as a pinch hitter and reserve infielder. Senior Beth Anania, who is committed to Kean University, goes behind the plate, and junior Gina Morrison, an all-GMC soccer player who played flex on the diamond, heads to left field.
Others who will see playing time include senior Arin Pelletier (center field) and juniors Sophia DeBellis (second base), who Brady said has made a strong impression in preseason practice, Sarah Ciaccio (first base) and Anna Curreri (shortstop).
Among the newcomers are juniors Kaleigh O’Kane (third base), Julia Bravman (right field), Sydney Ramos (pitcher), Emily Miller (outfield) and Mariah DiPierno (outfield); sophomores Andrea Guzman (third base) and Laura Caruso (pitcher); and freshmen Kylie Boen (pitcher/shortstop) and Kayli Gural (outfield).
The Bears’ opener April 1 against Monroe Township High School was cancelled, so they waited until April 3 to play at home against John P. Stevens High School. East Brunswick hosted Old Bridge High School April 5 and Hillsborough High School April 8.
