Although the spring high school sports season may not take place due to the coronavirus, the student-athletes and coaches who participate in springtime indoor and outdoor athletics deserve recognition.
The Lower Cape May High School softball program is looking for an opportunity, and not just an opportunity to win more games than last year. They also want to grow together as a team, as well as individually, and share victorious moments.
“We are praying for any kind of a season to make some lasting memories for our seniors especially, since our spring training trip to Myrtle Beach, SC, had to be canceled, as well,’’ Lower Cape May head coach Kiersten Hughes said. “Currently, we are just trying to keep girls busy with some virtual practices and scavenger hunts. We are one day closer to this ending and hoping that we are one day closer to a season, keeping the faith.’’
Key returning varsity players for the Tigers include Emma Muldoon (senior, pitcher/first base, .488 batting average, 20 hits, nine doubles, 13 RBIs and two home runs in 11 games before an injury in 2019), Joelle Klein (senior, catcher .246 batting average, two doubles, 13 RBIs and a home run, threw out 10 runners in 2019), Mia Lund (junior, first base/utility player), Molly McGuigan (junior, outfield), Hope Sandhoff (junior, shortstop) and Delaney Brown (sophomore, second base/pitcher, .328 batting average and 12 RBIs in 2019).
Newcomers hoping to contribute considerably on the varsity roster include Liv Krenzien (senior, utility player), Brianna Sullivan (junior, third base), Ashlyn Sekela (junior, second base/outfield), Riley Sullivan (junior, second base), Hailee Steiffel (sophomore, utility player), Lexi Cremin (sophomore, outfield) and Samantha Mancuso (freshman).
“Emma Muldoon is a vocal leader, leads on the mound and at bat,’’ Hughes said. “Joelle Klein leads behind the plate, vocally, and Mia Lund [will lead by growing] her voice vocally.’’
Lower Cape May tallied four wins last spring.
“Our main goal is to improve our overall record,’’ Hughes said. “We would love to become more consistent on the field, work together cohesively as a team-one mind, one sound. The ultimate goal is to make playoffs [plus have] less strikeouts and not give up as many unearned runs.’’
The Tigers compete in the Cape Atlantic League National Division, along with Absegami, Middle Township, Ocean City, Mainland, Cedar Creek and Oakcrest. Coach Hughes views Mainland and Ocean City as being among the top teams to beat in the National Division.
“We are still rebuilding; however, I do believe that this team has the potential to be a spoiler. We have a lot of heart,’’ Hughes said.
Middle Township – First, I’m 67 and have arthritis in both hands, and my cell phone has the letters too close, but, I manage, democrats only know how to try and Put you down for punctuation, Hey! Nimrod, I’m not…
