IN THE SWING: Princeton High softball player Emily DiLella takes a hard swing in a game last spring. Junior first baseman DiLella figures to be a key performer for the Little Tigers this spring as they look to improve on the 7-16 record they posted last season. PHS is slated to get its 2015 season underway by hosting Robbinsville on April 1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Considering the obstacles the Princeton High softball team has faced dealing with this wintry preseason, it is a good thing that the team features a core of seasoned veterans.

“With three weeks in the gym, you are going crazy,” said PHS head coach Dave Boehm, who welcomes back eight returning starters for a team that went 7-16 in 2014.

“We have been hitting with machines in the cage and the pitchers have been throwing to the hitters. We were able to use our outfield the other day and get in a little bit of work outside.”

A trio of pitchers, sophomore Kayla Volante, senior Sarah Eisenach, and senior Nancy Gray will be sharing the pitching workload this spring.

“Kayla has picked up some speed and she has good movement on the ball,” said Boehm, whose team is slated to start the season by hosting Robbinsville on April 1.

“I think she is going to have a good year. Sarah will hold her own, she is a workhorse. She gets the job done when she is out there. She gives 100 percent all the time. Nancy might start some games, she has been looking pretty good in the gym. She has worked hard.”

Boehm believes he has a pretty good hitting attack, featuring a blend of table setters and some punch in the middle of the order. Freshman Bianca Guidi, Volante, and junior Kelli Swedish should be catalysts while junior Stephanie Wu, Eisenach, Gray, and junior Emily DiLella can knock runs in.

“Guidi will bat leadoff; she has decent size and is pretty fast,” said Boehm.

“She is going to be a player. I have Volante, Swedish, Eisenach, and Wu next followed by Gray and DiLella. Wu and Swedish led us in hitting last year. Eisenach has been a steady hitter. She has a big bat, just needs to make more contact.”

With the team’s lack of work outside, Boehm acknowledges that he is considering a number of defensive combinations. Sophomore Christina Cuomo will be at catcher with DiLella and Eisenach at first base and junior Jordan Petrone, sophomore Celia Gleason, and junior Natalie Campisi likely to see time at second. Gray and Wu will be getting looks at both shortstop and third. The outfield could include Volante, Guidi, Campisi, Swedish, and junior Genna Garlock.

Once the Little Tigers get in some time on the field, Boehm is confident that the squad can get into a groove.

“Overall, I think improving on our win total from last year is realistic, I think we can win double digits like we did two years ago,” said Boehm.

“They have to be convinced that they can do it. We have the potential. I think this is the most travel players I have ever had on the team. We need to be more consistent on the field and at the plate. They can’t get down if they have a bad inning. We are looking forward to getting it going, believe me.”