PART 2: SECOND BASEMEN

This is the second installment of a seven-part blog-series highlighting the candidates for the 2007 All-Area softball teams.

BLOG SCHEDULE
LAST SATURDAY – First basemen
TODAY – Second baseman
TOMORROW – Shortstops
WEDNESDAY – Third basemen
THURSDAY – Outfielders/Designated hitters
FRIDAY – Catchers
SATURDAY – Pitchers
SUNDAY 6/24 – The 2007 Courier News All-Area team hits the street.



THE CANDIDATES
(Players listed alphabetically by last name)



TARA ALBERSE, Sr., New Providence
Stats: .340 avg., 28 R, 1 2BH, 1 3BH, 0 HR, 7 RBIs, 0 E
Upside: Hit a respectable .340 for the Mountain Valley Conference Valley Division champions and scored 28 runs. New Providence scored victories over some quality opponents, including Roselle Park (twice) and Union Catholic. Played a flawless second base, committing no errors.
Downside: Though New Providence lost just three games and went to the semifinals of the Union County Tournament, the Pioneers’ strength of schedule was fair, at best. Alberse managed just two extra-base hits and drove in just seven runs.


BRITTANY BROWN-WEBSTER, Sr., Delaware Valley
Stats: .435 avg., 22 R, 4 2BH, 5 3BH, 1 HR, 10 RBIs, 9 E
Upside: The Terriers’ leadoff hitter hit .435, including four doubles, five triples and a homer. Had several big hits in the state tournament as Delaware Valley went to the sectional final.
Downside: Delaware Valley didn’t play that many good teams, and didn’t perform well against those it did. Nine errors is a ton.


GINA CAPRIGLIONE, Sr., Mount St. Mary
Stats: .418 avg., 7 R, 0 2BH, 3 3BH, 1 HR, 21 RBIs, 1E
Upside: A nice batting average and an impressive error and RBI total for a team that lost just twice and went undefeated in its conference.
Downside: Low number of extra-base hits for someone hitting in the middle of the order, plus you have to take some of her numbers with a grain or salt considering the quality of competition isn’t as good as some of the other players at the position.


STEPHANIE FALZARANO, Sr., South Plainfield
Stats: .400 avg., 28 R, 4 2BH, 1 3BH, 0 HR, 14 RBIs, 2 E
Upside: Had nice numbers across the board for a team that went to the final of the GMC Tournament and its section. Only made two errors, which is highlighted by the fact Tigers pitcher Jen Little did not strikeout a ton of hitters, putting the ball in play quite a bit.
Downside: Low extra-base hit total and her average, while solid, is not as high as some of the other players at the position.


ALYSSA LOCOCO, So., Montgomery
Stats: .312 avg., 8 2BH, 3 HR., 16 RBI, 15 E
Upside: Eight doubles and three homers are some nice power numbers for a sophomore second baseman. Montgomery won the Skyland Delaware East.
Downside: Low batting average and 15 errors are hard to ignore, but she’s only a sophomore, so her best days are probably ahead of her.