Chargers softball on the path to the playoffs
Spotswood is 6-4, thanks to stellar offensive play
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer
With six wins in its first 10 games, the Spotswood High School softball team appears on its way to securing its second successive NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II Tournament berth.

The Chargers have parlayed strong pitching and some timely hitting into victories over South River, Highland Park, Dunellen, Bloomfield and Metuchen (twice). Spotswood could easily have an additional win or two, but spotty defensive play has proved costly.

Coach Stephanie Bromberg's team dropped a pair of decisions to Cardinal McCarrick that could have been wins. One loss in particular was bothersome because the Chargers lost on fielding miscues in extra innings. In addition, an extra-inning loss to Middlesex came as the result of a throwing error.

"We have to keep our errors down and limit the amount of unearned runs we allow," Bromberg said. "The girls have made some mistakes, but I know they can get the job done. That's an area we have to keep working on."

Spotswood has a dynamite battery with Maggie McSpadden on the mound and Sara DiMeglio behind the plate. The two have been solid from day one. McSpadden has an ERA of 1.52 in 69 innings of work. She's also struck out 120 hitters while allowing just 11 bases on balls. Her repertoire of fastball, changeup and a devastating curve keeps batters off balance. The junior also leads the team in hitting with a .412 average to go along with five RBIs.

DiMeglio has excelled with the glove and in working with McSpadden. The junior backstop is batting .360 with a home run and eight RBIs to her credit.

"McSpadden and DiMeglio have really been our team leaders on and off the field," Bromberg said. "They find ways to get the job done in the field or at the plate."

The Chargers, of course, do have several other talented players. Shortstop Sara Becker, who recently moved from second base, has been the offensive catalyst out of the lead-off slot in Bromberg's order.

Becker, a junior, is batting .371 and leads the team with 10 RBIs and six stolen bases.

Spotswood has also received some timely hitting from junior third baseman Kim Crandall, who is at .212. on the year, and sophomore right fielder Lizzie Sobol, who though hitting just .143, has whacked a pair of doubles. Freshman Sam Petosa, who recently took over the second base job, has shown promise at the plate as well.

The rest of the Chargers lineup includes Danielle Brazinsky, the team's only senior; juniors Kristina Esopo and Sara Rutkowski, and sophomore Maeghan Adinolfi, all outfielders, and sophomore Ashley Harper, who's done a good job defensively at first base.

"We only have three starters [Mc- Spadden, DiMeglio and Sobol] back from last year, so a lot of the girls moved up from the junior varsity," Bromberg said. "They adjusted pretty quickly to this level of play and they're all working very hard."

A year ago the Chargers posted a 15- 7 mark. Spotswood lost to Roselle, 9-7, in the opening round of CJ Group II play, but made its way to the quarterfinals of the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) tourney.

Although her team is in good shape heading toward the May 9 cutoff to qualify for the states (teams must be at .500 or better), Bromberg said she is not taking anything for granted.

"We need to stay focused, especially on defense, and take things one game at a time," the coach added. "We don't want to get ahead of ourselves."

Following the Tuesday scheduled clash at home against Sayreville, Spotswood was slated to host Bishop Ahr yesterday and Highland Park this afternoon. Middlesex comes to visit tomorrow.