Senior Captains Help Lead Well-Rounded Student Athletes For Hawthorne Softball

HAWTHORNE, NJ - No doubt about it, the Hawthorne High School softball program is thus far having a tremendous season.

Many factors are helping toward to this success and that definitely includes the vast contributions of the senior team captains-Ava Maccone and Nicolette Sasso.

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Through 14 games, the Bears had an eye-opening overall record of 13-1.

“They provide leadership and are vocal on and off the field,’’ Hawthorne head coach Ed Iannacone said. “I do rely on all seniors though to do the same.

“Nicolette is the best leadoff hitter in the county. Her on base percentage is almost .700, she leads the team in hits and has over 20 walks and over 20 stolen bases and scored 25 runs so far.’’

Seniors on the roster, besides Maccone and Sasso, include Ella Tower, Ava Tantillo, Megan Dalyia and Lindsay Scott.

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Juniors on the roster include Karlie Stier, Alexis Palmer, and Zoe Hernandez.

Sophomores for the Bears include Addison Menne, Olivia Davies, Amelis Dewhurst, Brianna Simmons, Brooke Bechard, Ava Martinello and Kaylee Hopper. Among the freshman are Lauren Iannacone and Emma Ryglewicz.

“Karlie Stier has been dominant in the circle and just got her 400th strikeout for her career,’’ Iannacone said. “Ava Martinello, Zoe Hernandez, Alexis Palmer and Ava Maccone have all driven in runs throughout the lineup.’’

The Bears are scheduled to host Butler in an NJIC Colonial Division contest on Wednesday, May 15.

“We got off to a great start and the confidence built,’’ Iannacone said. “Clutch hits in a big part of a game by different players that might not have happened last year or even making a great defensive play. They get a lot of reps in practice and it might seem boring to them, but it shows in games. The girls have team nights. They bring together the entire team at a different player's house and eat, talk, and just have fun.

“I think this is the best thing they do behind the scenes to help make everyone comfortable. The girls also help at practice with drills if they want to work on something. Everyone on the roster has contributed in some way: pinch running, courtesy runner, pinch-hit, or a defensive replacement.’’

Most importantly, Hawthorne softball players excel in the classroom.

“We have pretty much all of the players on the Honor Roll, National Honor Society, and our seniors have earned plenty of scholarships for college.’’

NOTES: The statistics montioned above were from games played through May 1.

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