By Steve Bigham

A

 new era for the Newtown High School softball team begins this spring.

For the first time in seven years, neither Cathy nor Samantha Byrne will be taking the pitchers’ mound for Newtown. Either one or the other was tossing strikeouts and winning games during each of the last seven seasons.

But while the faces and names have changed, third-year coach Paul LaFrancesca believes the results should stay the same. His spring 2001 squad features a long list of talented players who will look to improve on last year’s 13-9 mark. A year ago, Byrne kept Newtown in almost every game, but a lack of offense seemed to be the team’s Achilles heal. The Nighthawks lost seven games by a single run last spring.

“I think we’ll surprise a lot of people this year. I expect to win more this year than last year,” LaFrancesca said. “Other coaches aren’t taking us too seriously, but I believe we’ll have better hitting and will have one of the best defenses. If we can get on base and we can do the little things right offensively, we’re going to be tough.”

This year’s team will look to the leadership of senior captain Kate Bouteiller, who returns to the shortstop position, which she has manned the past two seasons. The four-year starter – an all-SWC selection in 2000 – will bat third in the lineup.

“Kate probably will conclude her career as being one of the most consistent players ever to wear an NHS softball uniform. She’s on pace to get about 80 hits for her career,” the coach said.

Another projected senior starter is first baseman Amanda Marsilio, who missed all of last year with a knee injury. She is back after seeing significant action as a sophomore.

This spring, LaFrancesca will hand the ball to junior pitcher Kristin Caposella, who played first base last year as she waited in the wings for her opportunity to pitch. Now that her time has come, LaFrancesca expects her to do a fine job, particularly since she has shown good velocity and location with her pitches.

“I’m excited to give her the ball because she’s been waiting for her turn. This is what she lives for. She’s pumped up for the opportunity,” LaFrancesca said.

Newtown’s biggest offensive threat will likely be junior Jody Minalgo, who missed all of last year with a back injury. As a freshman, she emerged as one of the league’s top hitters. LaFrancesca will use Minalgo as a designated hitter due to tendinitis in her shoulder, which will prevent her from returning to her catching position. She’ll bat fourth and will be needed to knock in a lot of runs.

“She’s a big hitter. She should be one of the most feared hitters in SWC. If we had her last year, we would have won half the games we lost by one run. She’s that big of an influence,” LaFrancesca said.

This year’s leadoff hitter will be junior third baseman Lauren Blomberg, who played errorless ball last year and impressed her coach with an ability to get on base. Freshman Trina Ramsdell is leading the battle right now for the second base job and will likely bat second in the lineup. Other candidates for the position are junior Ashley Christopher and sophomore Nicole Mangarella.

Junior catcher Heather Morgan returns behind the plate after an outstanding defensive season a year ago. She threw out a total of 14 would-be base stealers, including seven in a row. Junior Jessica Omasta will be the starting right fielder after playing centerfield as a freshman and left field as a sophomore. She will bat sixth in the lineup.

The battle for the starting centerfield job is between talented juniors Lindsey Blomberg and Jamie Lindquist. These two are both standout defensive players who have shown an ability to run down anything hit their way.

Sophomore Brittany Hutchison will man the left field position and looks to be one of Newtown’s better hitters. Freshman Erin Murdoch is a versatile utility player with a good bat as is sophomore Jessica Horvath, who will be a backup outfielder after a solid junior varsity campaign a year ago. Senior Ashleigh Smarrella will backup Marsillio at first along with senior Brianna Limebrook. And Laura Howard, an ex-soccer player with speed, will play a valuable role as a courtesy runner and backup catcher.

Two other freshmen who should see considerable action are speedy Kate Fenton and the solid-hitting Krystal Ferris.

SCHEDULE

 

Thursday, April 5 – versus Brookfield (non-league), 3:45 pm; Monday, April 9 – at Pomperaug (non-league), 3:45 pm; Wednesday, April 11 – at Brookfield, 3:45 pm; Saturday, April 14 – versus Bunnell, 11 am; Wednesday, April 18 – versus Stratford, 3:45 pm; Friday, April 20 – versus Pomperaug, 7 pm; Saturday, April 21 – versus Staples, 11 am; Monday, April 23 – at New Fairfield, 3:45 pm; Wednesday, April 25 – versus New Milford, 7 pm; Friday, April 27 – at Jonathan Law, 3:45 pm.

Tuesday, May 1 – at Masuk, 3:45 pm; Wednesday, May 2 – versus Notre Dame, 3:45 pm; Friday, May 4 – versus Immaculate, 7 pm; Monday, May 7 – at Bethel, 7 pm; Wednesday, May 9 – versus Joel Barlow, 3:45 pm; Saturday, May 12 – at MADD Tournament (Lauralton Hall), TBA; Monday, May 14 – versus Foran, 7 pm; Wednesday, May 16 – at Weston, 3:45 pm; Thursday, May 17 – at Kolbe-Cathedral, 3:45 pm.

Monday, May 21 – SWC quarter-finals at home of higher-ranked teams; Tuesday, May 22 – SWC semi-finals at DeLuca Field in Stratford; Thursday, May 24 – SWC finals at DeLuca Field in Stratford.