Lady Bears Seek State Title

It was a rough start for the Lady Bears.

The varsity softball team was recovering from losing 17 seniors the previous year and still finding its groove when it found itself at 5 and 3 on the season. But thanks to the old baseball cliché,  one pitch at a time, and one of the top pitchers in the state, the team fired off 20 straight wins and finds itself in the state semi-finals this afternoon in New Egypt.

“With a younger team, the kids focused on the clichés,” said Head Coach Kevin Brady. “The team is young enough to kind of take that to heart and understand to not let moments turn out of control. In our state tournament games, in the first round game we gave up a first inning run then came back to win. In Manalapan we were down a run and came back to tie it and ended up winning in 9 innings. Finally in the state semi-final against Monroe, we were down early and then just chipped away.”

Monroe got a bit of revenge on Sunday when it beat the Lady Bears 1-0 to win the GMC Championship. But before that, the Bears beat Middletown South in the final round of the NJSIAA Tournament and became Central Jersey Group 4 Champions. Today, they head to New Egypt to play Eastern High School in the state championships.

“It’s a nice place to get to,” said Coach Brady. “All the hard work and the struggle, and remembering where we’ve been in order to take the next step. “When we beat Middletown South, we had to go to their place in the final game and we beat them 1-0 in a well pitched and well played game. It was one of those games where one play was going to make the difference, and fortunately we were the ones who made them.”

But playing the game one pitch, one strike, one swing and one inning at a time can only go so far, and this year’s Bears had its share of talented players, including Beth Ann Hyland, a senior who is in her third year as a starting pitcher. Beth Ann went 15-2 in her sophomore year, 22-2 her junior year, and 24-5 this year (that’s right, she’s responsible for every one of this year’s decisions). The Rowan bound senior also set career bests for strikeouts, with 250 and innings, with 160.

“The best thing about the kid is that when you see her walking in hallway in school or talking with friends, she’s just a quality kid and a quality person," said Coach Brady. "That great person shines through, and it’s the great person she is that helps lead her team to success. Especially with the inexperience at other positions, having that steady hand in the game is just a huge factor, and a huge threat.”

The team several other key players helping to lead the team this year. Caitlen Hertell, a shortstop who bats clean up, and Sarah Gunia at third base. Both have been a steadying influence in a season that started the year with more inexperience than experience.

“They are experienced kids. They played in the field the last two years…they’re a steadying influence,” said Brady.

Behind the plate is Tyler Habib, who has had a great year catching one of the top pitchers in the state.

“It’s very challenging and perhaps intimidating when you know you’re going to catch the best pitcher in the state, if not the best pitcher,” said Coach Brady. It’s a lot of responsibility, and she really has worked hand-in-hand with Beth Ann and really made Beth Ann a better pitcher.

Tyler also has done a great job defensively and had her offensive moments as well.

“What we needed from her is that steadying influence to keep Beth Ann Focused and keep her steady every day,” said Brady.