HHS Softball Opens Season with a Win

The recent storms cleared up just in time for the start of the Hoboken High School softball season. Redwings fans nearly filled the stands at the 5th Street Little League field for Thursday afternoon’s game. Hoboken beat St. Anthony’s High School 14-0, winning by the mercy rule in the 5th inning.  It took just over an hour to wrap up the victory. All 18 team members played in the game.

Hoboken scored one in the first, then broke the game open with a five-run second inning. Jayla Vega and Ashley Baron knocked in two with back-to-back RBI doubles.

St. Anthony’s switched pitchers in the third and managed to control the Hoboken bats, but Renee Zabaleta reached on an error, then made it all the way home on a series of overthrows. Desiree Rivera also scored on the play. Hoboken led 6-0 after two innings.

The Friars threatened in the top of the fourth, with a runner on third base, but Hoboken got out of it with a double play.

They solidified the win in the bottom of the fourth, adding six runs on three hits, three walks, and two errors. Madeline Rodriguez cleared the bases with a double to center.

Sophomore pitcher Jayla Feva had seven strikeout, no walks and gave up two hits over five innings. At the plate, Rivera was 2-2, and Samantha Maldonado was 3-2 with three RBIs.

After the game, Coach Carmine Ronga said, “It was a good outing for us. We got to see everybody play, everybody got in.” He added that he expects the team to “be competitive and be in the states and counties right to the end.” In his 17 years coaching the varsity girls, Ronga holds a 349-81 record.

The win was no surprise. Last year’s squad finished 25-3, with loses in the Hudson County final and the state sectional final.

The Redwings take the field again Saturday afternoon at noon against County Prep High School.