FOLLOWING THROUGH: Princeton High softball player Ellie van der Schaar grits her teeth as she takes a swing in a game this spring. Junior standout van der Schaar helped PHS show progress down the street as it went 5-6 in its last 11 games to go 6-14 and made an appearance in the state tournament. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

When the Princeton High softball team started this spring by losing eight of its first nine games, getting outscored 98-25 in the process, it looked like the squad was headed to a dismal season.

But with its core of young players learning from the setbacks and developing confidence, PHS went 5-6 in its last 11 games, earning a spot in the state tournament.

“We were very young, so the beginning for us was a little bit of a challenge, especially with the first couple of games being over spring break,” said Tiger head coach Marissa Soprano. “As they progressed, they were able to figure out what it means to play at the varsity level and to play well together.”

PHS displayed that progress as it rolled to a 16-3 win over Rutgers Prep in its regular season finale.

“We had talked to them beforehand about that. It was our ticket into the state tournament so they knew the stakes going in and they performed well,” said Soprano. “They took advantage of some of the errors the other team made and we were able to make the state tournament.”

While the 16th-seeded Tigers fell 14-3 to top-seeded powerhouse Jackson Memorial to end he season at 6-14, Soprano saw the setback as a valuable experience for her players.

“They knew we were a bottom seed playing a one seed. We just talked to them about doing their best,” said Soprano, whose team scored three runs in the top of the fifth inning with Delaney Keegan getting two RBIs. “We were able to score a few runs and to get some more at-bats. When I asked the seniors what they were proud of at the end of the season, all of them said making states. It was a good opportunity for all of them.”

One of those seniors, catcher Clare Johnson (.244 this spring with 9 runs and 4 RBIs), did her best over the past three years.

“Clare has been the rock for us; catching is important even when we didn’t have someone who pitched year-round,” said Soprano. “In the last couple of years, we had people filling in for us because nobody else could pitch. Her presence behind the plate saved so many runs, her blocking skills were so good. We will definitely miss her behind the plate next year.”

The squad’s two other seniors, Jessica Zimet (.197, 4 runs, 2 RBIs) and Anika Simons (2 runs), also made valuable contributions.

“Jess was in right field this year. This was the only season she played for us, which makes me a little sad,” said Soprano, noting that Zimet also plays hockey. “Her speed and athleticism were a nice addition to the program, both in the field and on the base paths. Anika played whatever we asked her to, she filled in both the infield and the outfield. She was also one of the co-captains. She is really great at setting expectations and sportsmanship and helping the new girls figure out what we wanted from the program.”

PHS boasted a number of important new girls, led by freshman pitcher Erin Pilicer.

“We asked a lot of her. She pitched every single inning,” said Soprano of Pilicer, who also contributed offensively, hitting .209 with four runs and six RBIs. “She did a wonderful job. She is just so composed, even when we were facing tough teams. I think very few freshmen would be able to handle that challenge. I thought she met it beautifully.”

Freshman transfer Natalie Hester gave the Tiger batting attack a big jolt, hitting .333 with 11 runs and seven RBIs

“She is very competitive; I think she was helping the other girls to see what it means to be competitive and to be in games,” said Soprano. “There were a couple of games where her bat was the deciding factor of us staying in games or making it close. She did a wonderful job.”

At second base, another freshman, Ani Betancourt (.152, 4 runs, 2 RBIs), made a nice debut.

“Ani played a pretty good second base; she has a really good arm which is important for the outfield relays,” said Soprano. “We are excited to see what she can do the next couple of years.”

A pair of junior newcomers, Keegan (.364, 7 runs, 4 RBIs) and Yeahna Lee (.400, 4 runs, 2 RBIs), produced some exciting moments this spring.

“We are really glad that Delaney decided to play softball this year,” said Soprano of Keegan, a PHS field hockey standout. “Yeahna just moved to New Jersey as well. We were figuring out her role as the season went on and her bat really came along so we ended up getting her in more games. She did a great job. She is also a good presence on the team, she is loud and encouraging.”

Junior veterans Ellie van der Schaar (.143, 12 runs, 3 RBIs) and Maddie Castillo (.233, 3 runs, 2 RBIs) also made their presence felt this spring.

“Ellie played the infield for us in her first few years because we needed solid defense,” said Soprano. “We were able to move her back; she is an outfielder for her club team. She is willing to put it on the line. She made quite a few diving plays that were really spectacular. Without us having a fence, her speed is really important. Maddie has just been so consistent at third base. That is a hard position to field because you are so close to the batter. She does a great job. She struggled a little bit at bat, but she started to turn it around at the end of the season. We are hopeful it will continue into next year.”

With Soprano’s efforts to develop a pipeline of talent starting to pay off, PHS is bringing a lot of hope into next spring.

“I have been working with the Princeton Little League since the current freshmen were in the fifth grade,” said Soprano, noting that five or six players will be playing travel ball this summer. “We are starting to see the dividends of that coming through with the help of the parents. It is just getting more girls interested in softball at a young age. We think that some incoming freshmen from the middle school are going to help. We are just very proud of them and excited to see what is coming.”