Young Dodgers Softball Squad Poised for Big 2011

In 2009, the Madison Dodgers went to the state sectional finals and ended the season with a 13-10 record, but after losing a strong core of senior leaders from that season, the 2010 Dodgers were facing a rebuilding year.

They started the year off 1-5, but as the season went on they began to improve, and began to find ways to win games.

"I think that we had some games that were definitely winnable games – the whole team started meshing together a little more," said head coach Hector Martinez. "And people started to realize the things we had to do to win games, not just get by on the bare minimum."

Five games after their discouraging start, the Dodgers had improved to 5-6 going into the Morris County Tournament. Sophomore Nicole Iannarone, who was an outfielder-turned pitcher began to come into her own on the mound, the Dodgers' defense had become sharper, and they continued to hit well on offense.

Nikki Caruso, a junior, hit especially well, and after eleven games was batting .666. She ended the year with an average of .567, the highest on the team, and she is now 13 hits away from 100 career hits, which would likely be a Madison High School record.

"Since 1985, there isn't anyone who has reached 100 career hits… 94 was the most since 1985," said Martinez. "But the stats before 1985 aren't as clear, and the girls didn't play as many games before 1985, so it is likely that Nikki will have the most ever in Madison history by the end of her senior year." 

Caruso was named first-team all-conference and first-team all-county this year. Senior Emily Klein was also given first-team all-conference honors, and sophomore Nicole Iannarone was named second-team all-conference.

Klein, who batted .370 for her career as a Dodger and who was a four-year starter, will be graduating this year, leaving a big hole to fill in the outfield for Madison, but with a few strong pitchers coming up from 8th grade, it is likely that Iannarone will be stepping up to take over as one of the leaders in the outfield.

The Dodgers have reason to look forward to next season. Although senior Kelli Scotti was a vital part of the outfield and senior Stephanie Riveros played a key role as a utility player this season, the Dodgers will only be losing three players to graduation this season, and most of their starters will be returning next year with the experience gained from the 2010 season.

They ended the year 8-13, winning their last two games of the season 13-0 to end 2010 on a high note and finish fourth in the conference.

"I think we're going to do well in the conference [next season], not first, but maybe second or third," said Martinez.