BLOOMFIELD, NJ – After moving down to the Super Essex Conference-Liberty Division last season, the Bloomfield High School varsity softball team has returned to the top of the conference (SEC-American Division).
But with a strong returning group from last season’s 17-11 team, head coach Bob Mayer’s Bengals certainly are up to the challenge.
“Every game is going to be against a quality team,” said Mayer, entering his 29th season at the BHS helm. “We just have to be ready and play hard.”
The key returning players are:
- Ayana Andrade-Zygmunt, senior second baseman and captain.
- Kristina Collins, senior center fielder and captain.
- Rachel Jones, senior catcher and captain.
- Desiree Ramos, senior outfielder.
- Kim Zapata, senior third baseman and outfielder.
- Melissa Marte, senior outfielder and pitcher.
- Lexi Corio, sophomore pitcher.
- Jamell Quiles, sophomore third baseman
- Katie Bretz, sophomore shortstop.
- Rachelle Ramirez, senior outfielder.
Junior first baseman Brianna Murray and junior outfielder Jailene Serrano also played some varsity, but mostly played JV last season.
Other players on the roster include senior outfielder Joanna Aponte, senior Elizabeth Louis-Rossi, senior outfielder Jezabelle Medina, Jackie Guinta, sophomore Mia Lopez and Mia Guancione.
Corio returns as the team’s No. 1 pitcher, following a strong freshman year. The sophomore also is a quality hitter.
With Corio in the pitching circle, Mayer feels comfortable that his team can shut down opponents, provided the defense makes plays.
“If we can field the way we know we’re capable of, we should be okay,” said Mayer.
Collins, batting in the No. 3 spot, also has been impressive at the plate in the preseason, including during the team’s annual trip to Florida where they played seven scrimmages in five days.
Andrade-Zygmunt sparks the lineup as the team’s leadoff batter.
The other teams in the SEC-American Division are West Essex, Nutley, Mount St. Dominic, Verona, Livingston and Cedar Grove.
Last season, the Bengals reached the semifinals of both the Essex County Tournament and the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group 4 state tournament. In both semifinals, Bloomfield lost in extra innings. In the ECT, they fell to top-seeded Mount St. Dominic, 1-0, in eight innings. In the North 1, Group 4 state tournament, they fell at second-seeded Morris Knolls, 5-4, in 10 innings.
Schedule
April 3, at Fort Lee, 4 p.m.
April 4, at Livingston, 4 p.m.
April 6, at Verona, 4 p.m.
April 9, West Essex, 4 p.m., at Pulaski Park
April 11, at Nutley, 4 p.m.
April 13, Mount St. Dominic Academy, 4 p.m.
April 14, at Union City, 11 a.m.
April 16, Belleville, 4 p.m.
April 18, at Cedar Grove, 4 p.m.
April 20, Dayton, 4 p.m.
April 21, at Raritan, vs,. Ocean City, 10 a.m.
April 23, Livingston, 4 p.m.
April 25, Verona, 4 p.m.
April 28, at Newark Academy, tba
April 30, at West Essex, 4 p.m
May 3, at Columbia, 4 p.m.
May 4, Bayonne, 4 p.m.
May 7, Nutley, 4 p.m.
May 8, at North Bergen, 4 p.m.
May 9, at Mount St. Dominic Academy, 4 p.m.
May 11, at Caldwell, 4 p.m.
May 14, Cedar Grove, 4 p.m.
May 15, at Elizabeth, 4 p.m.
May 16, Montclair, 4 p.m.
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