JFK offense shut down in Group III semifinals
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer

JEFFGRANIT staff Allison Greaney is one of three senior co-captains who will graduate after leading the Mustangs to their finest season since 1988.

ISELIN - The John F. Kennedy High School softball team's dream season came to an end last week in the NJSIAA Group III semifinals with a 2-0 loss to Ramapo.

Kennedy fell to 24-7 on the season.

"We only had one base runner the entire game and it is pretty difficult to generate offense when you don't have base runners," Kennedy head coach Nancy Cuntala said. "I was impressed by Ramapo's infield defense because we did manage to make contact, but they made it difficult to get the ball through the infield."

Ramapo managed the game's only scoring in the fifth inning with some key two-out hits.

"I was hoping we'd get to the 10th inning, but the ballgame was decided in the fifth," Cuntala said. "I have to give Ramapo credit for making things happen when the opportunity presented itself."

Despite falling a game short of a trip to Toms River to play for the Group III title, Kennedy ended up with one of the most successful seasons in school history. The Mustangs collected the second most wins in a single season in school history and won their first sectional title since 1993.

"Winning the GMC White Division title was special because it showed consistency over an entire season," Cuntala said. "This was probably the best year since the 1988 season."

The 1988 team was the last to win a Group III title when it also took home the White Division championship.

While the Mustangs will have six varsity letter-winners back for next year's team, the loss of senior captains Becky Castelucci, Allison Greaney and Maria Olvesen will certainly be felt. Castelucci and Greaney both hit over .400 this season, with Greaney also pitching in two-thirds of this year's contests. Olevsen's versatility enabled her to transition from the outfield to shortstop this season and the result was a Kennedy infield that was among the county's best.

"Allison was the player that opposing teams were always aware of," Cuntala said. "Our senior captains were the definite leaders of this year's team and the rest of the team really developed their personalities. Becky, Allison and Maria never got caught up in statistics like some players can do, and the bottom line was always winning."

Fortunately for Kennedy, Heather Corica had a breakout season in the pitchers' circle and looks to be the team's ace next year. Corica finished this spring 8-2.

"She will have an opportunity to be the team's definitive No. 1 and pitch nearly every game next season," Cuntala said. "She faced some quality ballclubs this year and did a fantastic job."

Corica's battery mate catcher Jessica Tymitz will be looked upon to fill the offensive void left by Greaney and Castelucci's departures.

"We will definitely count on players like Jessica Tymitz and Allison Kruk for more offensive production next year," Cuntala said. "We'll need more consistent offense next season in order to compete at a high level."

Kennedy's at a Group III title should also be credited to Cuntala and her dedicated coaching staff of assistants Michele Sienkiewisz, Michelle Simonitis and Chris Bergondo.

"My assistant coaches did so much work and deserve most of the credit," Cuntala said. "All of them have longtime connections to Kennedy and have worked tirelessly."