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Spotswood softball favored to repeat at Blue Division champs

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By Jimmy Allinder

Spotswood

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Spotswood High School is the two-time defending Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Blue Division softball champion and with most of the lineup intact, the Chargers are favorites to repeat.

Untested junior Joey Bartusak inherits the vitally important pitching job from departed Alexa Raba, but Spotswood is bolstered by a lineup that has proven it can hit consistently, be aggressive on the bases and play solid defense.

“Our senior captains — Megan Tully, Julie Raba, Gabby Pietanza and Rachel Intravartola — have done an excellent job as leaders in the preseason,” coach Danielle Matlack said. “We not only hope to defend our division championship but improve our performance in the GMC and state tournaments.”

The Chargers have not lost a division game since 2014 and led by Raba — one of the GMC’s top players — the hope is to continue the streak. Raba returns for her fourth year after hitting .488, .508 and .488 in previous seasons. The senior plays shortstop but can be called on to pitch if Matlack deems it necessary. Intravartola plays first base, Pietanza is in the outfield and Tully will catch or play third base.

The junior starters are outfielder Cassandra Archer and Krista VanWageninge (.412), who plays third base or outfield, and sophomore Savannah Robinson is at second base.

In addition to Bartusak, newcomers likely to play are senior Shannon Gonnella (outfield), sophomores Brielle McCoy (infield) and Angelina Perez (utility) and freshmen Heather Cutler (utility) and Brittany Rifenburg (utility).

Spotswood hosted its season opener April 3 against Dunellen High School. Two days later, the Chargers were on the road at Carteret High School and returned home the next day to face Mother Seton Regional High School.

South River

It gets down to numbers — students, actually — and that’s why the South River High School softball team could be looking at another winning season.

Most Rams varsity teams compete in the GMC Blue Division, but the softball team plays in the smallest school Gold Division. That is why coach Deb DeVivo puts a positive spin on what to expect from her team this spring.

“Last year, we were 10-4 in the Gold, and our overall record was 14-10,” DeVivo said. “I’m confident we’ll do well in the division and state tournament.”

The reason for optimism is the return of eight letter winners, including fourth-year starting pitcher Mackenzie Garrick. The senior’s performance in the circle will be crucial to the Rams’ success, but the rest of the young lineup’s productivity will be equally important.

Senior Samantha Buckenberger starts at second and junior Jenna Doherty is at first. Sophomores Maddie Franco (outfield), Jordyn Lyons (catcher), Hannah Kurtz (shortstop), Hale Joynes (third) and Rebecca Molnar (outfield) all saw playing time last year.

Five freshmen who could see action are Ashley Fisher (catcher/outfield), Lauren Schmidt (pitcher/outfield), Tatianne Granadiero (outfield), Selena Gaspar (outfield) and Erin Kowalski (pitcher).

“This is a very young team, but we’ve made strides the past few weeks in practice,” DeVivo said. “I am looking forward to coaching them the next few years.”

South River opened the season April 3 on the road at Highland Park High School, hosted Woodbridge Vocational Technical High School April 5 and visits Piscataway Vocational Technical High School April 7.

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