Columbia HS softball team has strong senior leadership this season

MAPLEWOOD, NJ – With strong senior leadership led by a solid pitching duo, the Columbia High School varsity softball team is optimistic this season.

The Cougars will start the season April 3 at Newark Academy in a Super Essex Conference-Liberty Division game at 4 p.m.

Head coach Cliff Smith said this preseason has been as good as any in his four years at the helm.

The team’s starting lineup will depend on which senior pitcher, Catherine John or Jordan Stephan, will be on the mound. It marks the first time since their freshman years that the two hurlers are both healthy going into the season, which will be an advantage for the Cougars, said Smith.

The team’s strength is the senior experience.

“With six seniors, this is the biggest senior class I have had here at Columbia,” Smith said. “We have also been swinging the bats really well so far this March.”

Columbia also plans on “being very aggressive and making pitchers pay when they miss in the strike zone,” Smith said.

Smith’s goal for his team is to compete for the Super Essex Conference-Liberty Division championship.

“I really think we have the talent and complete team to pull it off this year, although it will be tough competing with Newark Academy, who moved down from the American Division this season,” he said.

Along with the pitchers, the players to watch are four-year starting catcher Ally Krause, senior Sophie Goldman and sophomore Paige Carlson, who will split time at first base; sophomore second base Alexa Stephan; sophomore returning starting shortstop Hudson Hassler; and sophomore third base Lucy Gagne.

Smith is expecting a big year from Hassler, who had a strong season last spring as a freshman.

The outfielders also have been impressive during the preseason with many candidates vying for playing time. The four players who will see plenty of action are junior Cara Harrington, senior Clementine Sherman and sophomores Claire Salinardo and Julian Ethan.

Schedule

April 3, at Newark Academy, 4 p.m.

April 4, at Montclair, 4 p.m.

April 6, Caldwell, 4 p.m.

April 7, Kearny, 10 a.m.

April 9, Newark East Side, 4 p.m.

April 10, Westfield, 4 p.m.

April 11, at Millburn, 4 p.m.

April 16, at Verona, 4 p.m.

April 17, at Nutley, 4 p.m.

April 18, at Belleville, 4 p.m.

April 20, Newark Academy, 4 p.m.