Brett Carroll
Staff Writer
The softball pitchers may be youthful but they are skillful at East Brunswick High School.
“We’re a little bit inexperienced this year,” East Brunswick coach Kevin Brady said. “We have some players in new positions. We’re a little young in the circle this year. We have a sophomore pitcher, Kylie Boen, and a freshman pitcher, Jenna Garafalo. They’re both doing a real nice job in practice and working really hard, but they are going up against other pitcher in games that are a lot more experienced and stuff like that. ”
But Brady is confident in his young hurlers.
“They’ve been really great. They have a great attitude, and are receptive to everything that we’ve been telling them. So we’re hoping that they will get better every day. If they do that, then we will be fine.”
Brady will look for his club to be more consistent, a trait that he felt can help East Brunswick improve on its 6-16 finish in the spring of 2017.
“It’s consistency on every level,” Brady said. “It’s consistency on defense. We’ll make three great plays, then follow it up with two bad plays the next inning. We have to do better at limiting other team’s chances in an inning. If we give a team a fifth or chance every inning, we’re going to be in trouble. In this sport, you’re filled with failure. It’s easier to get out than to be safe. But how we come back from failure is how you define yourself.”
East Brusnwick’s youthful pitching staff will have some veteran defenders behind them who will also deliver some pop on offense.
“We have a nice senior class,” Brady said. “We have our senior shortstop, Anna Curreri. She’s been a varsity player for three years now. She’s a strong defender, and a strong hitter. Right there next to her will be senior Sarah Ciaccio. She’s our first baseman. She’s our power hitter. Those two will really be the key to our lineup as our go-to hitters. If they can be successful, and put the defense on their toes, then that will help some of our younger girls. Success can be contagious too. We hope that we can create some moments that will inspire the rest of the team.”
The Bears were scheduled to begin their season on March 31 at Colonia High School. East Brunswick will travel to play rival South Brunswick High School on April 9. That game is slated to start at 4 p.m.
