Season in Review: Caldwell High Softball

The Caldwell High softball team has had a knack for rewriting the program's record books each year under longtime coach Mike Teshkoyan, but 2010 wasn't one of those historic seasons.

The Chiefs had won at least 18 games each season for much of the past three-plus decades and captured the North Jersey Section 2, Group 2 championship last year.

But a switch to the new Super Essex Conference and the distance of the pitching rubber pushed back from 40 to 43 feet from home plate each contributed to just a 6-17 record this spring.

"It was a year of adjustment with a new league and a new distance," Teshkoyan said. "We're looking forward to next season."

Teshkoyan said junior pitcher Brittany Trivino was affected by the new pitching distance and the higher level of competition, recording a 4.23 ERA with just 148 strikeouts in 175 innings this season.

"You had more balls put in play and you were facing very good hitters," Teshkoyan said.

But the coach credited his right-hander for persevering through the season.

"I think Brittany stayed tough and battled this year with a lot of courage," Teshkoyan said. "She was pitching at her best near the end of the season and I'm sure she will continue to work hard and be a leader for her teammates heading into next year."

The Chiefs began to come together at the end of the season with one of their best performances against top-seeded West Essex in the first round of the North Jersey Section 2, Group 2 tournament.

After twice narrowly losing to the Knights in the regular season, the Chiefs lost 1-0 in the state tournament after being awarded a wild card as the defending champs and for their competitive SEC schedule.

"It was definitely a positive way to go out," Caldwell senior second baseman Gianna Jamison said. "I think if we played that way and beat West Essex, we could have gone far in the state tournament."

Senior designated hitter Kasey Bohnert, who went 2-for-3 in that game, agreed.

"We played with a different tempo in that game," she said.

The Chiefs continued that momentum with an 8-0 win over Verona in the season finale. In addition, Teshkoyan pointed to a 4-0 win over Kittatinny and Caldwell's two wins over Montclair Kimberley Academy—a team that reached the North Jersey Non-Public B sectional championship—as highlights of the season.

The highly competitive SEC also resulted in just two players—Jamison and junior catcher Paige Johnson—named to the all-conference team. Johnson was named to the second team and Jamison was selected as an honorable mention.

Johnson was the Chiefs' biggest offensive threat, leading the team with a .351 batting average, five home runs, 14 RBIs and five doubles.

"She's a pretty complete player, offensively and defensively," Teshkoyan said. "She has a great arm and has power with her bat."

Jamison led the team with 12 runs scored and displayed plenty of grit defensively at second base.

"She's a tough kid and she is not afraid of getting dirty," Teshkoyan said. "She dives and slides for the ball. She was a leader of the team."

First baseman Jen Toron was another integral player with a .303 average, 13 runs scored, nine RBIs and two home runs.

"She's a very athletic player and very good at first base," Teshkoyan said.

While Johnson, Toron and Trivino will be back in the lineup next year, the Chiefs will lose Jamison, Bohnert, outfielder Jennifer Marek and utility player Alice Costa.