IRVINGTON – The Irvington High School varsity softball team ended the season with a record of 9-14 overall. In their second year in the Colonial Division of the Super Essex Conference, the Blue Knights ended the conference with a 5-9 record, one win better than last season.
“Our season had many accomplishments as well as downfalls,” head coach Jenna Weiss stated. “Our team won our first-ever Essex County Tournament game, beating Newark Tech and then falling to Glen Ridge in the second round. Our team entered into the state tournament (North Jersey Section 2, Group 3) for the first time and fought as best as we could with high hopes, but fell short in the end to the number one seed, Middletown North. We were the 16th seed.
“We faced multiple injuries (softballs to the face/body, ankle sprains, ACL tear, groin pull, wrist sprain) throughout the season, but that did not deter us from playing our game,” added Weiss. “Girls stepped into positions they were unfamiliar with and adjusted well and accepted the responsibility. What seemed like a struggle with certain injuries, the team rallied around and maintained a positive outlook and ended the season stronger than we started.”
The Blue Knights will be graduating six seniors. Three of those seniors were selected to the All-SEC-Colonial Division. Jada Forde and Ashley Foreman received Second Team All-SEC-Colonial and Janecee Forde received Honorable Mention selection. “These three girls are the face of our team,” Weiss said. “They were our captains and leaders and will be greatly missed.”
The three players also earned Worrall Media All-Area Honorable Mention.
“All of our seniors are attending four-year colleges or the military,” Weiss stated. “Jada will be going to FDU (Fairleigh Dickinson University) studying computers, Ashley is going to St. Peter’s (College) on a full scholarship studying pediatrics, and Janecee is going to Rowan (University) studying mechanical engineering. Aisha Springer is joining the military National Guard. Jaciana Pierre is going to Essex County College and is undecided and Seanna Reid is attending NJCU (New Jersey City University) and studying criminal justice.”
Weiss is excited about the program’s future.
“Every year we have shown improvement with the personnel on this team,” Weiss stated. “The coaching staff works hard, but the girls (work) even harder to make this program successful. I have no doubt that next season the results will thrive.”
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