Raritan softball still fighting to make state playoffs Rockets play Marlboro this afternoon, Barnegat tomorrow BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer With the qualification deadline for the NJISAA Central Jersey Group II and Shore Conference tournaments looming on Friday, the Raritan High School softball team needs two victories in its three games this week to get into both tourneys. The Rockets opened the season with four wins in their first five games, including a 2- 0 win over St. John Vianney. Since the triumph over Vianney, however, Raritan has won just three games and now stands at 7-7 on the year, following a 1-0 loss to Red Bank Regional on Saturday. "We just haven't played as well as we can since the Vianney game," coach Janet Citro said. "Still, this is a very good team and I'm confident that we'll get it back together. There are a lot of games to be played." The Rockets were set to visitHolmdel on Monday andMarlboro this afternoon, before traveling to Barnegat tomorrow. The prospect of three away games in such a big week does not face the coach. "It's been one of those seasons where our team actually plays better on the road," she said. "I'm not sure why that is, but we're a good road team." The pitching, thanks to junior Kerrilyn Svenson, has been fine. The junior has tossed 101 innings permitting 14 earned runs for an ERA of 0.97, while limiting opponents to 57 hits. She has 108 strikeouts and has issued 24 free passes. Svenson is also the Rockets leading hitter with a .419 batting average to go with a home run and eight RBIs and a .479 on base percentage. Alyssa Mautone is batting .297 with a homer and six RBIs and has drawn a teamleading seven bases on balls.Outfielder Sam "Goose" Helmstetter follows with a .278 mark and three RBIs. "We're not as consistent at the plate as I'd like to be," saidCitro,whose teamhas struck out 103 times. "Our goal is to put the ball in play and make the other team have to get us out." Raritan has played pretty well in the field. Mancuso and first baseman Genna Pensabene,who has recorded 104 putouts at first base, have been flawless with the glove. Svenson has made one error and shortstop Shelia Sim has made only two errors. "This team is good enough to win games and do well in the tournaments," Citro said. "We just have to fight out of it. I know they can do it, and once we get a few wins we can build on that momentum."