After "Magical" Season, Back To Work For IH Softball

Asked to describe the Indian Hills softball season, head coach Joe Leicht could only think of one word: magical.

The magic started after a 1-0 loss to Pequannock in the state sectionals last year.

"The turning point of our (2010) season came at the end of last season," Leicht said. "The lowlight turned into the highlight. We always say our season starts the minute the last one ends."

Facing a group of disappointed young athletes, Leicht gave them a challenge.

"Somehow, we have to become one run better," he said. "In the offseason we have to work like crazy, so that when we are in this position next year, we are one run better than they are."

With that, Leicht and assistant Phil Lomenzo left the girls and huddled for nearly three hours, breaking down the whole program.

"We looked at everything," Leicht said. "What we thought we were doing right, what we thought we were doing wrong and what we could improve on, our focus, how we play the game, our philosophy.  Once we started our summer season, we put all that into play to see if we could get one run better.

"Somehow, everything just clicked."

Click it did. The Braves clicked through a league title, county title, state sectional title and Group II state championship for the first time in school history. The softball team, which used to be part of Group III, won the sectional three times before (1995, 2001, 2003), but never the overall state title.

"We practiced harder than I've ever practiced before in my life," said ace pitcher Katie Enright, who Leicht called the best player in the history of Braves' softball. "It really came down to just knowing every single situation. In practice, we'd ask questions, even if they might have been stupid. I threw every practice live, so batters would face good pitching they'd see in games."

Though Enright played a major role in the girls' success, the Braves fielded talent all over the field.

"When Katie pitches someone has to be calling the pitches," Leicht said. "Sophomore Ashley DeYoung did a tremendous job behind the plate calling the pitches."

As a catcher for 35 years, Leicht has a specific philosophy for those who step behind the plate.

"I don't believe in coaches calling all the pitches," he said. "As a catcher, you get a feel for the game, you get a feel for the pitcher, and you know what pitches to call. Ashley did a great job of combining the scouting reports on certain hitters with feeling out Katie's pitching to see what to call on game day."

Junior second baseman Kelly Strittmatter led the Braves' tremendous fielding that combined with Katie's pitching to allow just a handful of runs the entire season.

"(Kelly) is the greatest defensive infielder I've ever coached," said Leicht. "She has unbelievable range, a great arm and great instincts. That's just defensively, not talking about the great things she does at the plate."

Leicht coached baseball on Hank Reese's staff from 1975-88 before his daughters' involvement in softball sparked him to learn the sport. He served for four years under retired coach Everett Wilson's softball staff before taking over the team in 1998.

"We've had a bunch of good teams and players make all-county, all-groups, all-state," Leicht said. "But this is the single greatest team I've ever fielded."

The Braves lose five seniors—Enright (P), Daniel Brogan (SS), Perri Goldberg (CF), Danielle Dorsa (DP,C), and Lauren Tarabocchia (courtesy runner) and return six starting position players. Leicht said he has plenty of options to fill in for the departing starters.

The Braves can celebrate their championship for a little while longer before beginning preparations for their summer season next week.