The Nutley softball team will look to its leaders to carry the load this season. From l. are Carly Anderson, head coach Luann Zullo, Morgan Gualtieri and Brittany Currie.
By Jim Hague
Observer Sports Writer
While other teams were struggling to get on any local field to prepare for the 2014 season, the Nutley High School softball team was able to play 11 scrimmages.
That’s because for the 15th straight year, the Maroon Raiders went to the Disney World of Sports in Orlando and played those 11 games, most of which were against fellow New Jersey schools.
“The beauty of being there is that softball is your entire focus,” said veteran Nutley head coach Luann Zullo. “For five days, we were focusing on softball and got a lot of work in there. We had practice for two hours, then played two games. The next day, we had practice in the morning and played three games. It’s a great experience all around. It also helps the team to bond.”
There was an added bonus. Because it was the 15th year at Disney, Nutley was welcomed on the field before an Atlanta Braves preseason game against the Mets. They were right in the batting cages, watching stars like Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward take their swings.
“The Braves were right there,” Zullo said. “It was a big thrill for everyone.”
The Maroon Raiders also went 9-2 in those 11 games in Florida. They lost to Indian Hills and Ramsey early in the week, then came back to knock the two Jersey foes off in a rematch.
Needless to say, the week in Florida gave the Maroon Raiders a leg up on their local competition.
The Maroon Raiders were 22-7 last year, reaching the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group III semifinals and the quarterfinals in the Essex County Tournament.
A year ago, the Maroon Raiders were unsure of who their pitcher was going to be. That uncertainty is now gone, ever since junior Carly Anderson stepped forward and cemented her place as one of the premier pitchers in the entire state.
“She still doesn’t claim to be a pitcher,” Zullo said of Anderson. “She believes she’s more comfortable as a shortstop. But pitching is so much of the game. She’s such an accomplished athlete. She now knows that she has the ball. She finished in the top 10 in strikeouts in the state. I asked her, `Are you a pitcher now?’ She knows she can pitch.” Anderson will get the ball for the majority of Maroon Raiders games this season, but Zullo, looking toward the future, got sophomores Breanna DeMaio and Emily Holden and freshman Samantha Echevarria to pitch some in Florida.
“If we have to get the opportunity to give Carly a break, we know where we can go,” Zullo said. “But with our schedule and our league, we have to bring our ‘A’ game every day.”
Sophomore Danielle Pomponio moves from third base to catcher this season.
“She did a phenomenal job at third base last year, so we were a little hesitant to move her,” Zullo said. “But she’s clearly our best catcher. She came in as a catcher and is a good catcher. She stepped behind the plate and it was like she played there every day.
She’s such a student of the game and she keeps getting better every day.” Sophomore Emily Holden is the first baseman. Holden got some playing time last year, first as a designated player, then got the opportunity to play first base late in the season and handled it well. However, Holden suffered a gruesome hamstring injury that required surgery.
“She’s worked real hard rehabbing that injury and is gradually returning to play,” Zullo said. “She’s doing a nice job.” Junior Jenna Saporito is the starting second baseman once again.
“She’s a good hitter and solid at second base,” Zullo said.
Echevarria, the freshman, along with DeMaio and fellow sophomore Stefanie Ziemer are all battling to play shortstop and third base.
“We had Samantha all over the place in Florida,” Zullo said. “We’ll see where she’s most comfortable.”
DeMaio and sophomore Alanis Concepcion are currently sharing time in left field.
Senior Brittany Currie, the standout in soccer, is the team’s starter in centerfield. Currie is a three-year starter who has played a multitude of positions for the Maroon Raiders over the years.
Senior Morgan Gualtieri has been with the Maroon Raiders’ varsity for four seasons. She plays right field. Gualtieri is a standout in volleyball in the fall.
“It’s good to have good athletes in the outfield,” Zullo said.
Zullo likes the potential of the Maroon Raiders. While they are young, with only two seniors, the Maroon Raiders are talented with several of the sophomores already having varsity experience.
“We have a great group of girls,” Zullo said. “One thing about last year’s team was that they had great fight;, even if they fell behind, they kept fighting. They were never out of anything. We had a great year last year and we have a large group of those kids back. If they still have that fight that they had last year, then I’m very excited.”
Zullo knows where the importance lies.
“It all starts with Carly,” Zullo said. “She is the same kid she was last year. We also have seven sophomores that are going to play together for a while. If they just keep getting better, we’ll be fine.”
Count on the Maroon Raiders being just fine come Memorial Day and maybe beyond.
