FASSL FUEL: Hun School softball player Julie Fassl follows through on a swing in a game. Junior catcher Fassl figures to fuel Hun again this spring with her production at the plate and fine play in the field. After having their April 2 opener at the Blair Academy cancelled, the Raiders are hoping to get their 2016 season underway this week as they are slated to play at the Peddie School on April 5 and at the Lawrenceville School on April 8. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

After taking some lumps on its preseason trip to Florida in March, the Hun School softball team was glad to get back to New Jersey.

“We just couldn’t jell down there; we got beat up by some Texas  teams pretty bad,” said long time Hun head coach Kathy Quirk, who guided her team to a 9-9 record and the state Prep A semifinals last season.

“The kids are working hard, the mentality has changed since we came home. I am looking for some big things. I think it is a great group of kids. I think they are finally starting to come together.”

Hun will feature a group effort in its pitching staff as sophomore Julia Revock, senior Kacey Abitz, and senior Alexis Goeke all figure to get time in the circle.

“I have decided this year that we are going to split time with our pitchers,” said Quirk, whose team had its April 2 opener at the Blair Academy cancelled and hopes to get the 2016 season underway this week as it is slated to play at the Peddie School on April 5 and at the Lawrenceville School on April 8.

“I have never done this before. My pitchers have always thrown and thrown but I am not sure that is the best thing for them. No pitcher is going to go a full game unless they are having the game of their life.”

Quirk is looking at Revock and Abitz as starters with Goeke as a relief specialist.

“They both have their own style and they both work hard,” added Quirk of Revock and Abitz.

“They just have to believe in themselves and believe that they have the back up behind them. If I could get one or two innings out of Alexis, that is what I would like. It is going to depend on the game.”

Hun will be looking to junior star catcher Julia Fassl to be a catalyst in the batting order.

“Fassl is probably going to be our leadoff hitter; she is a great kid, a great athlete, and works hard every day,” said Quirk.

“Abitz will probably bat second. I am still playing around with Revock, Goeke, and Megan Donahue in the middle of the order. Goeke did show power last year, we are waiting for her to explode. Sierra Hessinger has always been a designated player for us. She is working hard, she came back ready to play.”

On defense, Quirk will have Fassl at catcher, freshman Donahue and senior Hessinger at first, sophomore Keelan Ryan and freshman Nia Sapia at second, Goeke at shortstop, and Abitz at third. In the outfield, senior Alyssa Hampton will be in charge in center with junior Kate O’Connell, senior Shannon Dragan, and junior C.J. Mozeika likely to see time at the corner spots.

“As always we have to play good defense,” said Quirk. “I am a strong believer in repetition, day in, day out.”

In Quirk’s view, the Raiders can produce a strong season if they develop faith in themselves.

“We just have to believe; it is going to be confidence,” said Quirk. “We have to believe that we are as good as anybody else that we are playing and just rise to the occasion each day.”