Softball Team Has Youth on its Side

The loss of five varsity players to graduation may pose a problem for some teams, but the head softball coach doesn’t quite see it that way.

“Yes, we lost five starters but I feel we have a strong young team that can be competitive,” said Sue Benjamin, entering her fifth season at the helm with the Cutters.

The Cutters boast a solid squad of sophomores, four of whom got varsity experience by the end of the season when the team went 15-12, including appearances in the county and state tournaments.

They include pitcher Marissa Spinuzzi, who Benjamin said got in a lot of time last year as a freshman hurler; and catcher Alexis Bush, a “strong hitter and a physically imposing” player who has club experience and will repeat in the clean-up spot in the batting order.

Couple them with senior captains Samantha Belmonte, who will move from the outfield to short stop, and center fielder Alison Sudol, a second-team all-leaguer last year, and the Cutters are poised to make some noise.

The only hurdle Benjamin foresees is the formidable schedule, which includes Big North National opponents Ramapo, Old Tappan, Northern Highlands and Demarest.

“This is the third league change in three seasons, and these are pretty tough teams, so there are definitely no ‘gimmes’ but I’m fine with that,” she said. “We’re a young, emerging team and I’m confident that the girls will have a successful season.”

The rest of the Cutters’ roster is as follows: seniors Rebecca Carlone (OF), Kristina Licamara (1B), Emily Mastrobuoni (#2 IF), Stephanie Pagios (#2 C); junior Alexa Della Monica (#2 1B); sophomores Jen Calabrase (3B), Keli Meerholz (#2 P), Jill O’Leary (OF), Ashley Sudol (2B); and freshman Keana Rehrer (utility).

Fair Lawn opens the season on the road against Ramapo on Friday at 4 p.m., and will play its home games at the on Harristown Rd.