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Sports

Union Catholic Softball Team Looking Strong for Spring Season

The team has several players back and a new Scotch Plains teen on the pitcher's mound.

When describing the makeup of the Union Catholic High softball team, you can start with the Vikings having experienced players back and a new performer on the mound to go with them.

Returning varsity players from last year's 7-10 squad include senior catcher Erin Farley, senior first baseman Amy Zofcin, sophomore second baseman Kelly Schulhafer, second baseman Samantha Niziolek, senior third baseman Charity Lombardo, left fielder Maggie Walsh and junior right fielder Ali Rebozo.

Farley, Zofcin, Schulhafer, Walsh and Rebozo started.

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That gives fifth-year head coach Ed Ryan a good nucleus to work with.

After senior right-handed pitchers Jessica Murawski and Shannon Deegan graduated last year, Ryan needed someone new to take over one of the most important positions on the field.

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That player is freshman righty Colleen Dow, who is a Scotch Plains resident.

"Colleen is one of my better pitchers since I've been here," Ryan said. "She has five different pitches, with them being a fastball, rise ball, screwball, curveball and change up."

So far Dow has faced Elizabeth, Cardinal McCarrick and West Milford in scrimmage competition.

Union Catholic hopes to get in Monday's (March 29) scheduled 4 p.m. home scrimmage against South Amboy.

"I think she will do well," Ryan said of Dow. "She's been hitting her spots. Our defense will keep us in games. Then we'll have to scratch out a couple of runs for her. She will keep us in a lot of games, too."

Ryan reported that Union Catholic's junior varsity pitcher is also a freshman, that hurler being Amanda Szysziewicz.

Another key player that missed her junior season last year because of an ACL injury during basketball season is senior shortstop Toniann Beckman. As a sophomore in 2008, Beckman came off the bench and played center field on the varsity level.

"She's looking pretty good," Ryan said. "She's back now, pretty healthy and ready to go. She was in good shape before the torn ACL."

Farley, who had two hits in a 6-0 loss at New Providence last year, will bat third in the lineup, according to Ryan.

 "She's done well with the freshmen pitcher," Ryan said. "They have a very good chemistry."

Ryan also said that Rebozo will be a utility player that will perform in the infield and outfield.

"She has good speed on the bases," he said.

Ryan lauded the fine defensive play of Schulhafer - who is also from Scotch Plains - at second base and Walsh in left field, with Walsh to bat fifth in the lineup and provide some pop. Zofcin is also a solid player at first base.

 "We didn't hit the ball that well against Cardinal McCarrick, but had a very good scrimmage against West Milford," he said. "They had a very good pitcher and they're a pretty good team, so I was pleased with how we played against them."

The brand new field turf surface field has been working out great so far.

"Because of it, it's great to be outside and we've been outside since day one in the beginning of March," Ryan said. "There are pros and cons, but it will be to our advantage to be on it every day. It's a very fast-paced field, but there are all true hops and that is good. It's a very fast infield and outfield."

NOTES: Union Catholic has 14 conference games – seven home and seven away - vs. fellow Union County Conference-Mountain Division foes: Cranford, Gov. Livingston, Johnson, Roselle Catholic, Roselle, Hillside and Summit.

In addition to Dow and Schulhafer, sophomore third baseman Loren Franco is a Scotch Plains resident.

UNION COUNTY CONFERENCE

Mountain Division for 2010 (8 teams): Cranford, Gov. Livingston, Johnson, Union Catholic, Roselle Catholic, Roselle, Hillside, Summit.

2010 UNION CATHOLIC VIKINGS

VARSITY SOFTBALL TEAM:

PITCHER:

Colleen Dow, freshman right hander

CATCHER:

Erin Farley, junior

FIRST BASEMEN:

Amy Zofcin, senior

Ashley Straile, sophomore

SECOND BASEMEN:

Kelly Schulhafer, sophomore

Samantha Niziolek, junior

THIRD BASEMEN:

Charity Lombardo, senior

Loren Franco, sophomore

SHORTSTOP:

Toniann Beckman, senior

LEFT FIELDERS:

Maggie Walsh, senior

Stephanie Smith, sophomore

CENTER FIELDER:

Katie Bree, sophomore

RIGHT FIELDERS:

Ali Rebozo, junior

Ella Chamis, junior

REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE:

April 1 Roselle, 4 p.m.

April 6 at Hillside, 4 p.m.

April 9 at Summit, 4 p.m.

April 13 Cranford, 4 p.m.

April 15 Gov. Livingston, 4 p.m.

April 17 Brearley, 10:30 a.m.

April 20 at Plainfield, 4 p.m.

April 22 Dayton, 4 p.m.

April 23 at Roselle Catholic, 4 p.m.

April 27 Johnson, 4 p.m.

April 29 at Roselle, 4 p.m.

April 30 Hillside, 4 p.m.

May 3 at Roselle Park, 4 p.m.

May 4 Summit, 4 p.m.

May 6 at Cranford, 4 p.m.

May 7 at Gov. Livingston, 4 p.m.

May 11 Roselle Catholic, 4 p.m.

May 13 at Johnson, 4 p.m.

May 14 at New Providence, 4 p.m.

May 18 Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 4 p.m. 

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