Hroncich Loves to Flourish in the Underdog Role

It was a strange feeling at the start of the season for Nicole Hroncich.

Last season as a sophomore, the Maroon hurler flew under the radar and in turn put up an All Bergen County first-team season.

"I felt real fearless last year," said Hroncich, now a junior. "Being the only All County pitcher back that there are so many pitchers who want to beat me. It's a little annoying."

The challenge for Hroncich is to mix things up against hitters who have seen her in the past. "I'm trying to keep batters off balance. They have seen me multiple times,” said the junior hurler.

Ridgewood had an auspicious start to the season and was 4-4 heading into the battle with Old Tappan on Monday with an automatic bid to the Bergen County Tournament on the line. If the team lost, it would have to await a wild-card bid to the tournament.

“We were really nervous and pressing," said Hroncich about the pregame. And the Maroons did that with a 10-0 victory as Hroncich shut down the Golden Knights allowing only three hits and striking out five in the shutout.

"We played really well as a team," said Hroncich who added the battery of pitches in her arsenal was deadly. "It was definitely my curveball [I] and used a lot of my changeup.”

Add a 4-2 victory over Fair Lawn on Wednesday, the junior hurler had allowed only two runs, one earned in the last three games. "I think I am getting strong in the last three games," said Hroncich. "We had a really rough beginning of the season.”

Ridgewood head coach Patti Auger said that Hroncich's recent performances illustrates that she is only getting better. "Nicole has been getting stronger each and every game for us," said Auger.

The Maroons head coach added that she knows every time Hroncich is handed the ball, Ridgewood has a shot at a victory.

"One of her biggest attributes is that she gives us a chance to win every game," said Auger. "She has a strong work ethic and strong desire for success. That shows each day in practice and on the mound during games."

The team's slow start might be just being what the doctor ordered for Ridgewood, which entered the season as the preseason darlings of the press in North Jersey.

"We're getting that underdog feeling. I like that underdog feeling,” said Hroncich.
She admitted that her speed was down last season as the state tournament came around and is trying to change that by doing more working out.

"I'm just mostly trying to keep my speed up," said Hroncich. "I was not prepared mentally and physically for last season. I want to get stronger as the season goes on."

Hroncich added the drop just before the start of the season, two weeks before the first game and it was a natural fit. "It just seemed to catch on," said Hroncich.
On Saturday it will be the hopeful start of another trip to the Bergen County Tournament final. The Maroons lost to Indian Hills, 3-2, in the 2010 county finals in eight innings.

"We're trying to not think of last year (county tournament). We know that everybody is shooting for us," said Hroncich.