Spring Sports Previews: Madison Softball

Last year, pitcher Tempe Edwards, catcher Alex Carmichael, third baseman Pauline Papathomas, and shortstop Jeremy Barletta, all in their fourth years as starters for the Madison High School softball team, led the squad to a 13-10 record and an appearance in the state sectional finals. All four graduated last year, and with them went most of the team's experienced players.

This year, the Dodgers are young. Only one player, Emily Klein, has been a starter since her freshman year. She made first team all-conference last year, playing at the pitcher and center field positions.

"It is a rebuilding year," said Klein. "Making it a team effort is the most important thing… we have a lot of talent, so once people get used to their new positions we could be relatively successful."

Juniors Nikki Caruso and Mackenzie Ellis both bring experience to the team as well, with Caruso moving to shortstop after playing her first two years at second base, and Ellis going into her third year at first base.

"We have a lot of rebuilding to do, but I'm confident we'll be able to do it," said Ellis.

Half of the team's starters are underclassman, but Caruso and Klein are confident that they can play successfully at the varsity level, citing freshman infielder Tori Ellis, sophomore infielder Maddie Delena, and sophomore pitcher Nicole Iannaron as examples of young players that will be filling the spots of last year's senior class.

"It's a very young team," said head coach Hector Martinez. "I want to build unity, teach them to win, and build for next year."

Martinez knows that the toughest team the Dodgers will face this year will be Pequannock, last year's state champion.

"We gave them good runs last year," but they always came out ahead… our closest game was a 4-3 loss," said Martinez.

To add to the uncertainty that the team faces for the upcoming season, the Dodgers will be playing in a new conference.

"It should be interesting, because there are a lot of teams we haven't played," said Klein.

But there are plenty of teams that the Dodgers are familiar with as well.

"We have tough competition… Chatham, Morris Catholic, and Pequannock," said Caruso. "So we have our work cut out for us."

The Dodgers have a week of practice and one scrimmage left before the season is underway: there first game, quickly approaching, is April 1 at 4 p.m. at Madison High School, versus Kittatiny.