Girls Softball Looks to Strike Big

For the last several years, the Livingston softball team has taken a trip to Florida during the pre-season to prep for the regular season.  Last week, head coach Jason Daily and his troops returned from the sunshine, where they scrimmaged against top teams, primed for the season.  

The Lancers are looking to break-out early this spring, unlike last year when they started out slowly and had to rally to win the last 10 games including a quarterfinal victory over Nutley — on the last eligible day — to make the state playoffs.  They went 14-12 for 2009.

But Livingston and other schools won't have to worry about getting a .500 record by the state cut-off this year because the NJSIAA is allowing under .500 teams in the state tournament.  Yet, only 16 teams will qualify in each section, so there is still some pressure.  

But Daily is not worrying that his team won't be included in the states, especially since the Lancers have many experienced players returning (only three players from last year have graduated).  Also, if pre-season play is any indication, the Lancers should have a solid spring.

In Florida, the Lancers lost their first game 2-1 but then went on to win the next nine contests.

"It opened the coaches about this team," said Daily.

Stand-outs for the Lancers include Alex Pizzoli, a junior pitcher, who returns to the mound after going 11-11 last year.  Daily believes she will be taking a big jump in her ability this season.

"She was really effective and baffled the hitters with her off-speed pitches," said Daily about her pitching in Florida.  "She keeps the ball low and has the hitters hit a lot of ground balls."

Daily said younger pitchers including Kaitlyn Reilly, a sophomore, and freshmen Jessica Peslak and Jazmine Pignatello could also see some innings.

Whoever throws the pitch, the Lancers are solid behind the plate with catcher Jess Icolari, a junior who was the starter last season.

"Jess is a very tough player and athletic," said Daily. "She has a strong arm."

With Pizzoli throwing the ball low and forcing the opposition's hitters to hit ground balls, the Lancers will need to depend on a strong infield.

Daily believes that a strong defense is key, which is why he makes the team spend a lot of practice time on defensive drills.

"We pride ourselves on our defense," said Daily. "We work 70 percent of our practice on defense."

Senior co-captains Melissa Pence at first base and Amy Zhou at second base provide solid protection.  Pence is perhaps the team's biggest weapon, having been named to the All Essex County and All Northern Hills teams last season.

The senior had a .435 batting average last season with 16 RBIs, 16 runs scored and six doubles. Pence also posted a .506 on-base percentage and a .986 fielding percentage.

For the Lancers' opponents, Daily thinks she'll be an even tougher challenge.

"She's gotten stronger and she's hitting the ball hard in the pre-season," he said.

Shortstop Alex Bell, a junior who was named to the third team All Essex County and second team All Northern Hills last year, will also help the Lancers.

"She's a contact hitter and rarely strikes out," said Daily. "She's our fastest base runner."

At third base, sophomore Carly LaGrotta and freshman Rachel Wasilak were vying for the vacant starting position in the pre-season.  

Center field was also vacant at the start of the season.  Junior Michelle Millman was expected to fill the open slot, but broke her thumb in her throwing hand during pre-season and will miss the first couple of weeks of the regular season.  Junior Ally Boni will move from the infield to take the center field spot while Millman recovers.  Becky Herman, a junior, will return to right outfield while sophomore Reid Singer will play left field.

Equally important as a strong defense is an aggressive offense, and that's what Daily uses. 

"I take a lot of risks and get a lot of base runners thrown out," he said.

Bell and Zhou will bat first and second, respectively, in the line-up; Bell has speed and Zhou is a good bunter.  Pence will bat third and Icolari will have clean-up duty.  Herman or Singer will be fifth in the line-up.  Peslak, Wasilak and LaGrotta are all potential designated hitters for the team. 

But even with strong batters, the Lancers will still have to be very aggressive as they move this season from the Northern Hills conference to the Super Essex Conference and play in the toughest division —the American — with several quality softball teams including Mount St. Dominic, Cedar Grove, Caldwell, West Essex and Nutley, among others.

"Playing all of these teams twice is going to be difficult," said Daily. "I look forward to the challenge."

With all of these quality teams in one division, some teams will likely be better at the end of the season than their record indicates. A few of the teams may be hurt in the seedings for the state tournament.

After initially believing it would make a major difference, Daily hasn't seen that much so far this season.

"Coming into the season, I thought it was going to affect everyone, but I don't that will be the case," said Daily.

Time will tell.

Livingston Softball Schedule
(Games at 4 p.m. unless noted)

April 5        at Cedar Grove
April 7        Mt. St. Dominic
April 9        West Essex
April 12       Morris Knolls
April 14       at Caldwell
April 16       at Glen Ridge
April 17       Cranford at Black and Gold Invite at Cedar Grove, 11:30 a.m.
April 19       Nutley
April 20      West Morris Central
April 21       Montclair Kimberley Academy
April 23       at Bloomfield
April 27       at Belleville
April 28       Cedar Grove
April 30       at Mt. St. Dominic
May 3           at West Essex
May 5            Morristown
May 6           Clifton
May 7           Caldwell
May 10        at Nutley
May 11        West Orange
May 12        at Montclair Kimberley Academy
May 13        at Randolph
May 17        Bloomfield