JFK softball off to a perfect 2-0 start
BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer
The John F. Kennedy Memorial High School softball team picked up right where it left off last season with a pair of wins during the first week of the season to jump out to a 2-0 start before traveling to Colonia for a 3:45 p.m. match-up with the Patriots today. Last year's team went 24-7 and collectedWhiteDivision andNorth Jersey 2 Group III titles.

TheMustangs will close the week with a 3:45 p.m. home game against visiting Monroe on April 11 before heading to Colonia Middle School to take onDavidBrearley and Cranford in a double-headerApril 12.

This year'sKennedy teamwill look to duplicate last year's feats when the season swings into full gear this week with some highly anticipated division match-ups.

"The White Division looks to be very strong again this year,"Kennedy head coach Nancy Cuntala said. "WithColonia,Monroe, Carteret, Sayreville and South Plainfield all looking pretty tough, it should be very competitive. If we play well, we can be among the best of these teams, and I hope pitching and defense will be our strengths."

The Mustangs opened the season with a 16-0 victory over New Brunswick before beating division foe South Plainfield 3-0 after 10 innings. Pitching ace Heather Corica picked up both wins for Kennedy.

Danielle Bemis and ChristinaKatora led the way offensively for Kennedy in the win over New Brunswick. Bemis belted a tworun homer while Katora finished with three RBIs and a two-run triple. This season Bemis is expected to share time at first base withVictoriaOlzesen.BothBemis andOlzesen alongwith third baseman LizKlinemay be used to pitch on days Corica needs a day of rest. Katora takes over the starting job in right field after splitting time there last year.

"I feel confident going to any of these three juniors to pitch if needed," Cuntala said. "All have pitching experience, but Heather will certainly do the bulk of our pitching."

Corica certainly demonstrated her prowess last week in the nail-biter against South Plainfield. In a pitching duel with South Plainfield'sAlyssa Sutherland, Corica finished with 16 strikeouts to Sutherland's 20. Corica was the offensive star for the Mustangs as well finishing with three hits, including a two-run single in the 10th that proved to be the game-winner.

"South Plainfield is a good team, and I expect theywill continue to get better," Cuntala said. "We split our four meetings with themlast year, and both teams knowone another so well. Both pitchers were in total command, andwewere able to finally get on the board in the 10th, and Heather finished strong in the bottom half of the inning."

TheMustangs bring back plenty of experienced players from last year's title team, including center fielder Nicole Claridge, catcher Jessica Tymitz, left fielder Carly Jimenez, and second basemanAllisonKruk.

"Nicole has a lot of range and is very good defensively," Cuntala said. "She hit pretty well last year, and we're hoping for more of the same from her. We return a total of six letter-winners from last year, so the experience is here. The keywill be tomake the routine plays and limit mistakes."