Mustangs' fast start has them thinking big
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer

Coming into the season, the only questions surrounding the JFK girls softball team concerned whether the Mustangs could muster enough offense to complement their stellar pitching staff.

So far, so good. The Kennedy girls (5-0) have been rolling along since the opening game of the season, with an offensive explosion the team put together against New Brunswick seemingly carrying this team through the next four games.

Kennedy began the season with a 27-0 win over New Brunswick, as the Mustangs dominated the game from the first inning on. Head coach Nancy Cuntala couldn't have scripted a better start for her team.

Kaitlyn Corica pitched superbly, giving up only one hit, didn't walk a single batter, and struck out 10 New Brunswick hitters.

"She pitched great," said Cuntala, who entering her 20th season at the helm, has the luxury of two excellent starting pitchers in Corica and Allison Greaney. "We played as well as we possibly could."

Offensively, Greaney led the way with three hits in three at-bats, three RBIs and four runs scored. Sarah Waraksa had two hits of her own, driving in four runs on the day. Ashley Bertot got three singles and scored four runs.

Riding the high of the crushing defeat of New Brunswick, Kennedy next squared off against Monroe and once again dominated play on their opponent's turf, winning the game 6-0. And once again, Kennedy got strong pitching, as Greaney only allowed three hits, while striking out six without walking a single batter. Waraksa had four more hits, including two doubles, and also scored two runs. Carissa Bowen also recorded two hits and knocked in a run propelling Kennedy to the win. Kennedy next had to play South Plainfield the following day in their first home game of the season. The Mustangs went on to win the game, 8-4, beating the defending Group III champions rather easily. Bowen had two more hits and three more runs batted in to lead Kennedy. Greaney also had an impressive day at the plate, recording three hits in just four at-bats. Kelly Meka singled in two runs.

Through three games, the Mustangs had scored 41 runs and allowed just four. It was exactly the kind of start that Cuntala was hoping for.

Kennedy next went back on the road to face Carteret, where the Mustangs recorded another shutout, the third in four games, 6-0. Freshman Carlisa Jimenez got into the action, reaching safely three times with three hits, and came around to score three of Kennedy's six runs of the game. Becky Castellucci and Kelly Meka each doubled in two runs on the day. Greaney had another impressive pitching performance, allowing only four hits, while striking out five, and only walking one Carteret batter.

Next up was Sayreville this past Friday, and although Kennedy did not record another shutout, the team did win the game 6-1. Greaney had three hits and four RBIs, and. excited her team and fans when she hit a two-run homer in the first inning. Corica earned the win, only allowing five hits, while striking out six batters.

Cuntala knew coming into this season that her team was going to be good, but not even she could have expected the team to start this strongly.

"It surprised me," Cuntala said. "We have a chance of doing some great things this year."

If anyone can gage the talent of a softball team, it's Cuntala, who has won 13 divisional titles and three state titles (1985, 1988, 1993). This year's team is hoping to add more trophies to her already full display case.

Kennedy was home to Colonia on Monday and South Brunswick on Tuesday.

This weekend, they are scheduled to play in the Colonia Classic.