Senior Experience Will Lead Softball Team

Overview

Barring injury, the Mustangs are poised for a big season behind the experience of its five senior starters. Head coach John Immediato says that his five seniors have been playing together since sophomore year and, if they can stay focused, “We can compete with anyone in our conference.”

Montville finished 12-11 in the regular season, suffering from what Immediato called "key injuries." "We only had our complete, top lineup in for a handful of games," he said. The team made through county play to states before losing 6-1 against Paramus in the opening round of sectionals.

• Taylor Strickland, Pitcher (Sr.)—Strickland has been the Mustang's pitcher for three years running and is good in high pressure situations, her coach said. The senior was third team all-county in 2010.
• Allison Patierno, Shortstop (Sr.)—The four-year starter finished second team all-county in 2010, logging 26 hits and a .371 average. Patierno suffered from an injury in her foot last year, so health could be a factor in her season. She'll be playing at the University of South Florida next year.
• Kera Pezzuti, Catcher (Sr.)—One of the Mustang's big bats, Pezzuti had 27 hits in 2010. Immediato said that one of her strenths is game management. "She does a great job calling the game for us and managing the pitching staff."

• Jackie Rosellini, Third Base—She was the Mustang's only loss from last year. With the team's experience, Immediato expects big things from his seniors. "They should do the things that seniors do."

• "We need to focus on staying mentally tough throughout the whole game. We play in a very competitive conference, I think, and if we stay mentally tough every game, I think we’ll be good." —Immediato

• "With the leadership we have, this team can handle pressure situations. We’ve been through the ringer, so I expect us to handle pressure well. If they perform like I think they will, I think we could have a pretty good year." —Immediato