Orange HS softball team is off to good start; seeks another division title

ORANGE, NJ (updated Saturday April 14, 11:27 a.m.) – After winning its first division title in school history last spring, the Orange High School varsity softball team is off to a great start to the 2018 season.

The Tornadoes, who won the Super Essex Conference-Freedom Division last year, have three quality wins against division opponents after moving up to the Independence Division this year.

“Our goals for this year are like that of last year,” said OHS head coach Pete Naumowicz. “Winning this division is definitely one, but we are taking that game-by-game. We are in a good place, returning most of last year’s team, so we feel that making the state playoffs is possible and (we want to win) a state playoff game that I am unsure has ever happen in school history. We also hope to enter the county tournament and hope to see if we can win more than one game, which has never happened before.”

Orange returns its two captains from last season, Ashley Moscoso and Orezia Logus. “Both of these two players are definitely key players for our team,” said the coach. “Ashley has the opportunity to be the first player in school history to reach the 100-hit mark. She only needs 37 hits this season and she is the only four-year player on our team. Ashley has improved her pitching every season and enjoys playing shortstop when she gets the opportunity.

“Orezia is a team leader and a table setter when it comes to batting as she normally bats in the two hole.”

Stefany  Aguilar is one of the team’s power hitters, who helps as the second pitcher and first base. Andifer Santana has turned into a good power hitter as she hits in the middle of the order, and Keturah Cohen has developed into a consistent catcher who has improved her batting and definitely uses her soccer goalie skills to make her agility behind the dish so much better, said the coach.

Amanda Anderson is a promising junior with her ability to steal bases and score runs. Other promising juniors include Jasmira Cordova, Naziyah Robinson, and Tahalia Davis.

Another promising sophomore is Angelica Deoleo, who is learning to pitch and plays multiple positions.

Naumowicz said he and Assistant Coach Stephanie Ross are proud of the hard work that the team has been putting in this season.

East Orange Campus High School defeated Orange in a marathon game 20-18, April 13, at Orange Park. Essence Simmons had four hits and four runs; Peighton Jefferson had three hits, three runs and four RBI; Victoria Pennetta had three hits, two runs and three RBI; and Kadijah Jones had three hits, two runs and two RBI for East Orange Campus. Maurice Rodriguez had three hits, three runs and one RBI; Kayla Mayers had three runs; and Renee Hinton had one hit, two runs and two RBI.

For Orange, Cohen went 4-for-4 with two RBI; Deoleo had three hits, three runs and three RBi; Moscoso had three hits and three RBI; Aguilar had four hits and three RBI; Maritza Arias had two hits and an RBI; Logus had two hits, two runs and two RBI; Davis had two hits, two runs and two RBI; Anderson had two hits and three runs; and Jasmira Cordova had two hits and three RBI.

Both Orange and East Orange Campus moved to 3-1 records.

Orange, whose home games are held at Orange Park, will host Barringer on Monday, April 16; and visit North 13th St. Tech on April 18.

  Orange High School softball