Brick National softball team hitting its stride
BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI
Staff Writer

Brick National Little League Junior Softball coach Victor Wilenta is enjoying this season as much as his previous seven seasons with the program.

But it goes beyond the four victories in the first five starts and the array of talent his team has shown again this season.

"Right now the girls are finally starting to play as a team," said Wilenta, who has stressed teamwork to his players and had them exemplify that mantra throughout his time with the program.

Following the old clich, Wilenta firmly believes there is no "I" in team. Although there are some very strong players, Wilenta has encouraged them to blend their talents together in hopes of another favorable performance in the Section 3 tournament that begins next month. As the only team in District 18, Brick National automatically advances into section play and, throughout the season, schedules teams in District 11.

Last year's team ended its season in the section finals.

"What I like is the good sportsmanship the girls are showing," said Wilenta. "I'm very proud of how they're progressing and playing as a team."

And Wilenta says he also is very pleased with the strong parental support he has seen.

A lot can happen with another 11 games left on the schedule, but Wilenta feels if the team continues to develop the cohesion it is starting to show, the veteran manager sees some good things ahead.

Three girls handle the pitching, including Claudia Gallagher, Heather Figula and Veronia Wilenta, the coach's daughter. All three rely on four pitchers - fastball, change-up, drop and curve.

Veronia's dad has a busy spring following the fortunes of Veronia, who also is on Brick Township's junior varsity, elder daughter Jess, who is a bulwark for Brick Township's varsity softball team at third base, and son Victor, who is a standout player on the Nationals team in Brick National Little League that Wilenta also manages.

Wilenta feels his team has meshed the three main ingredients to success well.

"It's a combination of all of the pitchers contributing and the bats coming along. And we're playing a good defensive game," said Wilenta.

He pointed to a recent errorless game against the South Wall River Dogs that Brick National won, 4-0.

"You don't see that [errorless games] too often at this level," said Wilenta.

And the team showed some character in bouncing back from its only loss, 8-7, to Spring Lake, by winning the second game, 14-2.

The players also have shown versatility in playing more than one position when needed. That includes the pitchers as Gallagher and Wilenta alternate at third base, depending on who is pitching, and Figula plays in center field. Gallagher and Wilenta also have seen action at shortstop.

All three played in the program last year and young Wilenta is one of three players in her third season on the team, along with Rebecca Hart, who is a reliable performer in left field, and catcher Nicole Binetti, who also is in her third season. Binetti is coming back from a leg injury and Wilenta says she also can play at third base. Samantha Ellis also catches and plays in right field.

Two other second-year veterans who have played well are shortstop Katarina Kiseli and second baseman Nicole Brower, who Wilenta says "can play anywhere" and has excelled with the bat in the leadoff spot. She also is team captain.

As for hitting, Wilenta says Kiseli, Gallagher and his daughter "are hitting the ball hard" in the heart of the batting lineup.

Other outfielders who have seen considerable action include Courtney Jones, Tina Scuttaro, Ashley Bezack and Carissa Pagnotta. Anne Kreutz has been a bulwark at first base.