Hamilton West/Nottingham 2024 Co-op Softball Preview

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HAMILTON, NJ -- Hamilton West and Nottingham high schools are again joining forces for a joint co-op softball team that begins its 2024 season at home against Steinert on Monday, April 1.

Last year's HW-N co-op team posted a record of 11-11, and second-year head coach Gaby Bennett is optimistic about the team's prospects for a winning record in 2024.

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The team returns a core of six players from last season, including senior pitcher/first baseman Allyson Fonollosa, senior utlity player Kara Weaver, sophomore outfielder Ava Umansky, junior pitcher/infielder Naomi Blackburn, senior infielder/outfielder Rachel Diaz and sophomore pitcher/utility Jaime Thornton.

Fonollosa, a Delaware State University commit, put together a spectacular season in 2023, batting .478 with nine doubles, five home runs and 22 runs batted in. Weaver batted .377 with 10 extra-base hits. Umanski batted .381 with 14 RBI. Blackburn batted .338 and smacked eight doubles. Diaz had 11 RBI, and Thornton drove in eight runs.

As a pitcher, Fonollosa struck out 119 batters in 95 innings, and Blackburn also pitched more than 39 innings.

"I am very excited about our team this year. We have a lot of potential and are looking to improve from last season," Bennett said. "We have great leadership with five seniors who have plenty of varsity experience."

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The team welcomes sophomore Ava Frascella back after she missed her fresman season with an injury. Three freshmen will also be joining the cast: Jaime Montgomery (1B), Lauren Harrison (OF) and Sofia Williams (OF/C).

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