By Jimmy Allinder
If there was ever a spring the Monroe Township High School softball team needs leadership, this is it.
The Falcons are 0-3 in their first three games — 1-0 to Watchung Hills Regional High School in the opener, 4-2 to division foe South Brunswick High School and 9-6 to Northern Burlington County Regional High School. Monroe was at Edison High School April 10, hosted Notre Dame High School the next day and visited John P. Stevens High School April 12.
This is the first season the Falcons, who finished 19-6 in 2016, are members of the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Red Division, and the South Brunswick defeat gave them a taste of how difficult the schedule will be. Monroe also needs to replace seven starters who graduated.
“Much of our success the past few years was due to players who are no longer here,” coach Keith Hudak said. “If we’re going to keep winning, we’re going to need contributions from every member of our team.”
That hasn’t been made easier with inclement weather forcing the Falcons indoors for preseason practice, and Hudak is still trying to settle on a set lineup
Junior Julia Granit returns with the most experience on the mound, finishing 5-2 in 36 innings and is in line to be the starter. Promising freshman Sarah Stepnowski will also get circle time.
Junior Jess Weinthal (.500, 28 hits) and freshman Emma Schieda will split catching duties. The infield will start with freshman Erica Rubino or sophomore McKayla Krajcsovics at first base, senior Kiersten Pflueger at second base, senior Jenna Theoret (.447, 21 hits) at shortstop and sophomores Marion Fopeano or Krajcsovics at third base.
Senior Emma Pede will play in the outfield along with junior Angela Oskierko, sophomore Tara Pietrulewicz, freshman Kylie Denneler and Stepnowski.
“Everybody is getting playing time, so it’s a matter of finding out which combinations work best,” Hudak said. “We’ll also need strong senior leadership on and off the field. Hopefully, with good pitching, timely hitting and solid defense, we’ll be competitive in this [Red] Division.”
In addition to Monroe’s remaining games against Red Division opponents, its robust out-of-conference schedule includes contests with Allentown High School, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South and Moorestown High School.
