Offense is the question for Lady Barrons team
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer

WOODBRIDGE - A move up from the White Division to the Red should not hold back a strong Woodbridge High School softball team when the new season gets under way April 3 versus Piscataway.

Last year's Barron team finished a respectable 13-10 with a third-place finish in the White Division. With seven starters back from last year's lineup, the Barrons are up for the challenge a move to the Red Division should bring.

"We should be competitive against any team we face this season," Woodbridge head coach Jim Lommers said. "We'll be good defensively, and from a pitching standpoint it's going to be a matter of whether we hit."

Heading the list of returnees is catcher Annie Russo and pitcher Kelly Reidy. Together, Russo and Reidy compose a battery with strong varsity experience. Russo was the team leader in offensive productivity and an All-Conference selection in 2006, while Reidy threw every inning.

"Kelly has great control and good ball movement," Lommers said. "She does a nice job on the mound and we can even go with backup pitcher Nicole Caggiano if we need to at some point."

A two-year All-Area selection at third base in senior, Courtney Cuevas further strengthens a strong lineup. Cuevas will hit in the three spot for a third straight season where she brings some nice power in front of cleanup hitter and shortstop Beth Senton.

"Courtney is really good defensively and she has a great arm," Lommers said. "She's one of the better hitters in the conference and she's headed to Mount Saint Mary's in Maryland on a softball scholarship in the fall."

Senior second baseman Rachel Weidele is slated to hit leadoff for the team. Weidele became a varsity starter her sophomore season at shortstop before moving to the

right side of the infield last season.

"Rachel is more of a natural second baseman," Lommers said. "She's very good offensively."

Joining Weidele on the right side at first base will be juniors Alicia Pichalski and Kelly Walsh. Both come to the team with no varsity experience but seem poised to make the jump from the JV ranks.

Junior Erin Johnson and senior Nicole Breyta are also expected to see time in the infield this season behind the dish.

"Erin has a strong arm and she's definitely going to be a good player," Lommers said. "We'll just have to see how she handles varsity pitching."

The Barrons' outfield will be led by senior center fielder and No. 2 hitter Amanda Small. Joining Small in the outfield is junior Megan Bruno in left field and classmate Brittany Lewis in right field. Both Bruno and Lewis bring varsity experience to the lineup. Seniors Amanda Pavlok and Alicia McElderderry are also expected to see some time in the outfield this season.

"We have all the tools to have a nice season," Lommers said. "Again, a lot will depend on how well we perform offensively."