SPECIAL DELIVERY: Hun School softball player Jamie Staub delivers a pitch in a 2023 game. Last week, senior Staub fired a no-hitter in a 15-0 win over Peddie in a game that ended after four innings due to the run rule. Hun, which topped Lawrence Hugh 4-0 last Saturday to improve to 5-0, hosts Hightstown on April 18, the Blair Academy on April 20, and Villa Joseph Marie (Pa.) on April 22. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Jamie Staub was pumped up to get her first pitching start this spring for the Hun School softball team as it hosted the Peddie School last week.

“It is really exciting, we have such a deep pitching staff,” said Staub. “It is so great having three solid pitchers on the team. Whenever I get my chance, I have lots of fun.”

It turned out to be a very fun day for Staub as she fired a no-hitter with five strikeouts and two walks in a 15-0 win over the Falcons in the April 9 game that ended after four innings due to the run rule.

“I think my screw was on, the changeup was on,” said Staub, reflecting on her pitching gem. “Having the team behind me, they did great. There were solid shots to each corner and they knocked them both down. It is really easy to be confident when you have a good team behind you.”

While classmate and Villanova commit Lexi Kobryn has emerged as the ace of the Hun staff over the years, Staub has still been able to develop her pitching skills.

“It has been awesome having that right next to me, she definitely pushes me to be better,” said Staub of Kobryn. “Even watching her pitch or pitching myself, both are making me better. Being able to work with her, being able to watch her or pitch myself, it has been great.”

In addition to her pitching performance, Staub had a great day with the bat against Peddie, going 3 for 3 with two runs and two RBIs, highlighted by a homer in the bottom of the fourth inning that ended the contest.

“This is my second high school home run,” said Staub, who lined the ball over the right field fence. “It wasn’t really on my mind, I was just looking for a nice line drive. I think the key advice is always don’t swing for a home run and it happens. Coming off the momentum of Kailey Jacobs’ homer (in the first inning), I had that energy. It felt good I will say, but you never know for sure and then you see the parents cheering.”

Hitting cleanup in the Hun batting order has given Staub the chance to put up some good RBI numbers.

“It is definitely a comfy spot for me. We have a really solid one-two-three so it is nice, they are usually on base and they are so strong,” said Staub, who is hitting .538 this spring with four RBIs. “It is like a nice spot for me, it gives me a great opportunity to aim for some RBIs because they are always there. They always do a great job of starting us off.”

When Kobryn is pitching, Staub’s normal spot in the field is first base.

“I love first base, I have that natural angle (as a lefty),” said Staub, who plays club ball for the Rock Gold program. “Picking it is just so fun. I love the specialty skills of the position, it has always been so fun for me.”

Next year, Staub will be taking her skills to Brandeis University, where she has committed to play for its softball program.

“I fell in love with the area, it is a great fit for me,” said Staub, reflecting on her college choice. “I wanted D-III because I wanted to be able to explore some other stuff, I do a lot of theater. I wanted a school where I could continue my softball career and still be able to keep up with theater. Boston is just lovely. I am really excited, I have been watching their games. I am recruited as a pitcher. We will see what happens. They have two pitchers this year and then me and another freshman are coming in next year. We will have three next year, including me. I think I am going to be primarily pitcher but the coaches said we will see what happens, wherever we need you.”

Hun head coach Kathy Quirk was excited to see Staub to star with her arm and bat against Peddie.

“It was nice for her to go out and go a full game,” said Quirk. “I have confidence in Jamie as a pitcher, but I also love her as a first baseman. Her hitting today was phenomenal, it is great for her confidence.”

The Raiders got good hitting throughout the lineup in the win over the Falcons as they pounded out 16 hits, starting the game by scoring six runs in the first inning.

“Bill (assistant coach Bill Quirk) asked them for five runs and they gave him six, we have just been hitting the ball,” said Quirk. “I didn’t know how our offense was going to be. Jacobs had a homer and yesterday she had the hit that stopped the game at five innings. They are just doing a nice job.”

Quirk pointed to junior catcher Emma Eisenberg and junior third baseman Brianna Riviello as key contributors.

“Emma has really stepped it up,” said Quirk. “Yesterday, her bat was alive and she hit well today. She is doing a great job behind the plate. Bri, our third baseman, had some nice hits. She has come a long way, I am really pleased with her.”

Looking ahead, Quirk is cautiously optimistic about her squad’s prospects.

“I just hope we can continue, everyone is gunning for us,” said Quirk, whose team which topped Lawrence High 4-0 last Saturday to improve to 5-0 and hosts Hightstown on April 18, the Blair Academy on April 20, and Villa Joseph Marie (Pa.) on April 22. “It is going to be a different game against them at Peddie and it will be a different game against Lawrenceville at Lawrenceville.”

Staub, for her part, is hoping that she and Kobryn, the squad’s only seniors, can go out in a blaze of glory as Hun goes for a third straight Prep A state title.

“It is just us two; three championships in a row would be nice, that is obviously what we both want,” said Staub. “I think it is just play hard, have fun. We have the making to do some really special things. We have got the talent, we have got the chemistry. I am hoping that we can keep it up this year.”