Rockets put another fine season in the books BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer Despite a late-season batting slump, the Raritan High School girls softball team battled its way to a 13-10 mark and finished third in the Shore Conference's Class A Central division. In addition, the Rockets qualified for the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II tournament and reached the second round of the Shore Conference and Monmouth County tourneys. Of the losses, Raritan lost three times each to powerful St. John Vianney and Red Bank Catholic, including 1-0 and 2-0 decisions against both teams. With just three seniors on the roster, Raritan coach Janet Citro started five sophomores throughout the season and despite the relative inexperience, the Rockets performed well. Pitcher Kerilynn Svenson emerged as a force to be reckoned with on the mound, where she compiled a 13-9 mark to go with a 1.37 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 153 innings of work. "The girls gained a lot of experience in a lot of different ways," the coach explained. "They never played in a state playoff game, they battled for the conference title and were in the race until late in the season, and we had good seeds in the tournaments. Even when they weren't hitting they wouldn't quit. I'm very proud of what they accomplished." Good defense, long a hallmark of Citro's teams, and pitching kept the Rockets in games, and many of those sophomores acquitted themselves quite well during the year. Shortstop Melissa Mancuso ended up at .296 to lead the team and also drove home 10 runs. In all she pounded out 21 hits, including three triples and fielded her position well. She was outstanding in a 1-0 loss to Matawan on CJ Central Jersey Group II play, making several sterling plays in the field. Svenson distinguished herself at the plate as well, batting .289 with 22 hits, including six doubles, and 20 RBIs to tie for the team lead with Mancuso. Kristen McDonald, a senior outfielder, hit .281 out of the number-two spot in the batting order where her bunting skills kept opponents on their toes. McDonald scored 11 runs to lead the team in that category. Junior outfielder/catcher Sheila Sim batted .234, but showed plenty of promise at the plate and at one point was batting .367. Sim drove in six runs on the season. Citro noted that several other sophomores gained valuable experience, including outfielders Goose Helmstetter and Genna Penesebene and third baseman Celeste Dayawon. Freshman Kiara McCabe played well when called upon. In addition, the coach called up several junior varsity players late in the campaign, including Jillian Martin, Alyssa Mautone, Danielle Ranieri, Casie Illig and Michelle Cheng. Citro also credited her seniors: McDonald, first baseman Nora McGlynn and second baseman Lisa Szczuplak with providing leadership and mentoring the younger players. "Our prospects for the future are excellent," Citro said. "Even though we struggled late in the season, the girls hung tough and stayed in games. That will only help us next year. The girls learned a lot and they all worked hard. That's all you can ask."