Paul VI softball coach Bob Swain may have a big project ahead of him.
Swain's No. 1 pitcher, Cara Grayson, has an elbow problem that could cause the Mustangs to rearrange their infield if the senior cannot continue pitching for a while.
No. 2 pitcher Jess DeCarlo, a junior, would have to move from shortstop to the mound, backed up by sophomore Victoria Farrell, a third baseman.
I saw Laura Messina's pitching debut Saturday morning at Triton and she looked as though she was in mid-season form.
The junior struckout 12 batters, threw 98 pitches and slammed a double, the only extra-base hit of the morning in a 1-0 win for Camden Catholic.
Saturday's softball season opener between two top-flight Olympic Conference teams should be fun to watch.
Camden Catholic, which led the National Division last season, is scheduled to play host Triton, which led the Patriot at 10 a.m.
The Irish come in with junior Laura Messina, a dominating pitcher. Triton's answer is Amber Scott, a four-year varsity starter who struckout 114 batters last year and batted .370.
Moorestown athletic director Neil Rosa this morning said the varsity field is ready for the Quakers to play Rancocas Valley at 3:45 p.m. And that's no April Fools prank.
Wednesday the field was soggy and questionable for the season opening Burlington County League Liberty Division game between the two.
RV won the division last season and Moorestown was No. 2. But this year RV has an interim coach, Becky Perkins, taking over while Erin Mattio is on maternity leave. Also, RV has fewer seniors than Moorestown taking the field.
Bill Mulvihill Wednesday night told me that his Quakers might not be able to host Rancocas Valley Thursday because the softball field is wet.
RV plays at the East Ampton Sports Complex and that is where the game could be played Thursday. A decision will be made by Moorestown athletic director Neil Rosa by 11 a.m.
Mark Granieri told me the other day that he is in his third years as Pennsauken's softball coach and he is blessed to have the Snyder sisters on the team.
Shelby pitches and Haley catches. Both are in their fourth year of varsity softball and they plan to play in college.
Shelby had eight shutouts and two no hitters last year while Haley batted in the cleanup position with five home runs.
Triton softball coach Pam McCabe told me this morning that the team hasn't seen much live pitching, but one player has been smashing the ball.
In the Mustangs' first two scrimmages, Brielle Reighn, a sophomore, has gone six for eight at the plate. Reighn is a starting outfielder and reserve pitcher who batted .300 last season and should improve this season.
Good batters should boost their averages this season because mounds have been moved back three feet to give hitters better looks before they swing.
I was talking to West Deptford softball coach Mandy Schramm yesterday about the team's progress and she told me that the pitching job is up for grabs among a senior and two freshmen.
Jamie Feldman, the senior, played shortstop last year and second base as a sophomore. A transfer from Gloucester Catholic, Feldman has led the team in RBIs for the past two seasons.
Sidney Ponto and Marissa Linquist are the freshmen.
Pennsville's new softball coach, Beth Jackson, send me an e-mail at 7:02 this morning stating that she decided on a starting pitcher.
Dana Watkins, a catcher last year, will be the new No. 1 on the mound, replacing Rachel Coleman, who graduated. Watkins, an ASA player, has experience at second base and right field.
Watkins' catcher will be Alexis Montagna, whose name I can't find in my notes from last year's preseason interview with then head coach Herb bacon, who retired.
I was chatting with Sacred Heart Athletic Director Steve Tucker this morning and he said the softball team will leave for Puerto Rico on March 27 to work out and play local teams. The Lions are scheduled to return on April 2.
"They know they're not going down there for vacation," Tucker said with a laugh.
The Inquirer ranked Sacred Heart No. 6 in South Jersey at the end of last season. The Lions lost to St. Joseph of Hammontonn in the South Jersey Group B final last season. They open the season at St. Joseph on April 6.
