It was another exciting, very enjoyable season of varsity softball that has now come to an end. And for me, the most difficult phase of the season has come: Choosing the postseason awards and picking the All-Area teams.
Sure, it's fun to look back on the season and compile stats and performances. But, like every year, certain very deserving people are going to be inevitably left out simply because of the numbers crunch, and I feel a lot of pressure to get it as right as I possibly can.
As usual, I will be selecting a Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, first, second and third team All-Area, as well as Honorable Mention for the 2008 All-Area Softball teams scheduled for release on Wednesday, June 18.
Each team consists of four pitchers, three outfielders, a catcher, first baseman, second baseman, shortstop and third baseman, as well as a designated hitter and a utility player (the latter two can be from any position).
I have already begun calling coaches, getting their nominees, stats, as well as their opinions on other players in the area, and I extend the same question to you, the readers:
The Courier News area consists of all of Somerset County and all of Hunterdon County, as well as Westfield, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, Plainfield, Governor Livingston, New Providence and Union Catholic in Union County, plus Dunellen, Piscataway, Middlesex, Wardlaw-Hartridge, Timothy Christian and South Plainfield in Middlesex County.
I have narrowed Coach of the Year and Player of the Year to a few candidates, my only criteria being that the team won something (county, conference, section), and I am very interested in opinions on those awards as well as the All-Area teams, so feel free to comment here or send me an email at CourierSoftball@aol.com.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES
Not all of these players are guaranteed to make first team. Like I said, numbers crunch.
Jenna Carmon, Hunterdon Central, senior, pitcher/first base
Undefeated in 16 decisions as a pitcher, one of the big bats in the lineup for the Hunterdon/Warren and co-Skyland Delaware West champs.
Jenna Gonzalez, North Hunterdon, senior, pitcher
Ace righty had a great year for the North 2, Group IV and co-Skyland Delaware West champs and showed to be more than resilient when she didn't have her best stuff.
Lauren Fitzsimmons, Bridgewater-Raritan, senior, pitcher
Did not allow a run in the Somerset County Tournament -- throwing a near-perfect game in the semis and a no-hitter in the final. Did not allow a run in the state tournament until North Hunterdon's late-inning comeback, and even then, did not allow many hard-hit balls.
Jenny Harabedian, Hunterdon Central, junior, shortstop
The top bat in Central's lineup tied a school record with nine homers. Hit a game-breaking three-run blast in Hunterdon/Warren final
Lindsay Lehman, Somerville, senior, pitcher
Emerged as the Pioneers' ace and pitched Somerville to the Raritan Division crown
Megan McInaw, Hillsborough, senior, pitcher
Used her bat and her arm to lead Hillsborough to the Skyland Delaware East championship. Came within one extra inning, international-tiebreaker loss of the Raiders seventh straight trip to SCT final, and lost 1-0 to the eventual Central Jersey Group IV champs in the semifinals.
Did I miss someone? Let me know.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Criteria: Team must have won something. Must not have won the award in previous five seasons (i.e. Hillsborough's Cheryl Iaione was 2003 Coach of the Year, and South Plainfield's Don Panzarella was Coach of the Year in 2005, and are ineligible).
Sandy Baranowski, Bridgewater-Raritan
Led the Panthers to their first county crown since 1998 and first-ever sectional final. B-R won 22 games -- most in school history.
Heidi Kearnan, Rutgers Prep
Returning to the Argonauts bench after an 11-year hiatus, Kearnan has taken big steps toward building Rutgers Prep into a program that can not only continue to dominate the Patriot League and the Prep B Tournament -- Argos won their third straight title this season -- but can be a force in Somerset County and the NJSIAA, which they're reportedly scheduled to join in 2009-2010.
Regina Rossi, Somerville
Balancing a three-arm pitching staff in her second year at the helm, Rossi led the Pioneers to the Raritan Division crown
Jeff Steele, North Hunterdon
The Lions won a share of the Skyland Delaware West and won the North 2, Group IV title for the third straight season. Team showed a refusal to ever give up, pulling off an eye-popping comeback to win the sectional title, and almost repeated the feat in the Group IV semis.
Did I miss anyone? Let me know.
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4 comments:
Go Jenna Carmon! Undefeated--come on!
Carmon or JH would seem to be the strongest candidate's here. Carmon and HC beat all but one of the pitchers on the list (didn't play SH) and JH had a monster year not only at bat but in the field. Added bonus if it is JC that Fick didn't pitch your player of the year in the district final game. What did he forget to take his anti-senility pill that day? That has to be the worst decision I have seen in a long time.
South Plainfield Pitcher has good stats. Went 12 innings in County tournament with Old Bridge. Shutout Westfield during regular season. Definately a worthy All Area candidate. So is VanBenschoten of Cranford.
I feel Jenna Gonzalez is the most deserving of this incredible honor. Not only did she wait patiently to earn her spot as the go-to pitcher at North Hunterdon, but her patience was also tested through personal ailments (i.e. allergic reactions, the flu, etc.) throughout the entire season. Her resilience as an athlete and a person are truly phenomenal. Both her teammates and those who have watched her progression throughout her softball career have experienced what an amazing individual she is. Her teammates have the utmost respect for her, as I remember hearing an underclassmen comment that they wanted to win for Jenna because she deserved it after all she had done for the Lions. Overall, she is a wonderful person, on and off the diamond, and one who will appreciate this honor deeply now and for years to come.
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