Absegami Seniors Have Chance to Leave Mark on Softball Program

Absegami High School senior Becca Maguire has already set the school record for career home runs with 12 and is pursuing the career hits record, which currently stands at 105.

However, records are not the only marks Maguire hopes to leave on the Braves’ softball program.

Maguire is one of two seniors on this year’s team, along with Julia Pietropola. The shortstop has played four years of varsity softball, and been an integral part of the Braves’ 39-14 record over the last two years.

She understands this season won’t be as successful as previous years have been, if for no other reason than the team’s extreme youth combined with a tough schedule. However, she and Pietropola understand their roles in helping the Braves maintain the standard set by recent teams.

“We want to help rebuild as a team and make it better as the season goes on,” Maguire said. “We want to help the team come back and be good next year.”

The Braves lost seven starters from last year’s squad. Three freshmen were in the starting lineup for the season opener on Tuesday, April 2, at home against St. Joseph’s Prep of Hammonton.

The Braves lost that game, 18-3.

“This is a new experience for them,” Absegami coach Patrick Esemplare said.

Esemplare added both players want to leave their own legacies on the program, and help the team get back to the point where it has a winning season.

Maguire continued her pursuit of the school’s hits records with an RBI double in the third inning. It brought her hit total to 89.

Pietropola scored in the second inning on a sacrifice bunt by Jenna King after she was walked.

Maguire classifies herself as a strong, power hitter, and hopes she can pass her knowledge on to the team’s youth.

“We have to teach them to stay calm,” Maguire said. “You can’t win by yourself. You have to have confidence.”

Maguire has a pair of role models she’s hoping to live up to. When she was a freshman, seniors Shana Weber and Kaylae Guerra provided the type of senior leadership she hopes to provide to this year’s freshman class.

“They were good leaders and players,” Maguire said. “They didn’t exclude freshmen and they kept the team together.”

A game against St. Joseph’s was a difficult way to start the season, but Esemplare says Thursday’s game against Vineland could be even more difficult. After that is a tough battle with district rival Oakcrest before a berth in the difficult Rancocas Valley tournament next weekend.

Helping to guide the Braves through these early difficulties is a lot to ask of two high school seniors. It would also help Maguire and Pietropola leave their marks on the program.