BY GABY MALANGA AND FRANK PAPEO
Following a 16-9 record last year, the girls’ softball team is preparing for another successful season. Having lost only three girls to graduation last year, the team brings back many key varsity starters, including captains Zoe Milonopoulos, Dimitra Milonopoulos, and Savannah Martinez.
After losing in the Greater Middlesex Finals last year to St. Thomas Aquinas, the team is fired up for revenge. “I know we are going to be the team to beat this year, and we will definitely make it far,” stated junior Dimitra Milonopoulus ,who had an impressive .489 batting average last season.
The squad is eager to earn redemption after the loss in the Greater Middlesex Finals, and they are poised to do so. “We have 13 returners, including all the players who led the team in avg, runs scored, RBI’s, hits, and stolen bases,” head coach Angela D’Amico explained.
Center fielder Savannah Martinez who had 18 runs, 22 hits and 15 RBIs can’t wait to step back on the field with her team. “We are all super excited to be back and ready to compete and win as much as we can,” Martinez stated.
Zoe Milonopoulos led the team in hits (47), home runs (6), RBI s(39), and runs( 27) last spring. “I am just happy I was able to help the team,” Zoe Milonopoulus stated. “At the end of the day, it’s a team sport and we all work together.”
The exceptional group of hitters and fielders plan to make the softball team stand out in the GMC. “We have a very talented team that can adapt,” Martinez said. “We put together our talents on the field and that’s what I feel makes us strong.”
With a challenging schedule ahead of the girls, coach Angela D’Amico has a strong approach to each game. “The game plan going into each game is to outscore other opponents early and to rely on our defense to keep us in games,” D’Amico explained.
Losing starting pitcher Kacey Loughlin, who pitched 162 of 168 innings last year, to graduation, the softball team is tasked with finding a way to have a successful season in the circle. “We know that replacing her is a difficult task, but we are just looking for someone to be able to keep us in games,” D’Amico said.
The team opens the season on the road against Woodbridge High School on April 3 at 4pm. “I have a great feeling about this upcoming season,” Zoe Milonopoulos said. Come out and support the girls’ softball team as they play their home opener against Hunterdon Central on April 8 at 10am.
Posted on 3/27/23
Photos by Tim O’Neill
Knight Life 