Mustangs looking forward to next season
BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI
Staff Writer

Brick Memorial's softball team has reason for optimism for next season, after setting the tone with a strong finish.

"It was good," said coach Vin Dallicardillo proudly, whose team loses only three seniors from a struggling season that was defined in the Ocean County Tournament, where it reached the semifinals.

It started with a 3-2 victory over Toms River North, which marked the first time in the history of the tournament that a No. 15 seed knocked off a No. 2 seed.

"It made the season," said Dallicardillo. "We did not know how focused we'd be, but we came together as a team that night."

Then came a 2-0 victory over Toms River South and Renee Panter continued to improve, even in the following 2-0 loss to Lacey in the semis.

"We played well defensively, aside from a throwing error to first with runners on second and third who scored on that play," said Dallicardillo of the Lacey loss. "I'd rather end the season stronger than to start the season strong and fizzle out."

Brick Memorial also split its two-game series with rival Brick Township and beat Lakewood while finishing 4-16.

The three departing players leave big shoes to fill, including catcher Ashley Cerminaro, whose .400 batting average and team-leading RBIs earned her the Mustangs' offensive player of the year award. Also gone are strong defensive first baseman Kate Conover and speedy right fielder Danielle Panullo.

But Panter is a good starting point for next year, although the catcher she'll throw to remains a question mark and could be junior center fielder Lauren Hatzelhoffer, who Dallicardillo said did a "great job" behind the plate when Cerminaro was hurt. Sophomore Christie Yurash can catch or play third base.

"Panter improved her location and showed a good mix of screwball, drop curve, riser and change-up," said Dallicardillo.

Lauren Zacka, a junior, and Stephanie Romano, a sophomore who came up from the junior varsity, also show promise as pitchers.

Dallicardillo praised Zacka's attitude toward the game as well as her "good control and good location." He said Romano "has really come along and throws hard. She struggled last year with location but has really improved."

First base is uncertain and depends on whoever hits best. Freshman Ariel Cook emerged as the second baseman and was a "very nice surprise at the plate."

Sophomore Daria Siwczak was a young starter at shortstop while third base is a tossup between juniors Hanna Fullaway and Christina Pickowitz.

The all-junior outfield includes Sam Arillo in left, Hatzelhoffer in center and Michelle Esten in right. Dallicardillo wants Esten to recapture the sharp hitting she enjoyed in her sophomore year. If Hatzelhoffer moves over to catcher, Dallicardillo feels Nicole Atraszewski is ready to step into the lineup after she filled in so well in right field when Hatzelhoffer caught and Esten moved over to center field.

"She did a great job when she played this season and I'm definitely looking for her to step in," said Dallicardillo.

As in the past, hitting remains a concern, and Dallicardillo hopes a year's experience and dedicated offseason work will remedy that shortcoming next season.