Young softball team looks to grow

Under the guidance of veteran coach Kerry Ludeking, the Vernon Township High School softball team again is ready to work for a successful year on the field.

The Vikings are set to open the regular season with a home game against Jefferson on Tuesday, April 2.

“The goal would be for our team to find consistency and togetherness,’’ Ludeking said. “We are looking to grow together into a strong team. We want to compete and challenge ourselves to work toward each personal goal that will bring us to be the challenger in our division.

“This team is very young; most of the returners are sophomores. They have been playing as a group since a young age, and we are hoping to bring their years of experience into becoming a great team. We will need to keep focus on the same team goal, commit to each other, and persevere through all the ups and downs.’’

Among the key returning players are senior captain Maryanna Cova Gomez (outfielder), junior Abbi Mundhenk (short stop), and sophomores Elizabeth Peek (infield), Carly Amorosi (outfield) and Tegan Ressler (catcher).

Sophomore pitcher Miranda Ebbighausen is a promising newcomer.

Leadership will be a key to success this spring.

“My team all becomes leaders - they know that’s how we need to be,’’ Ludeking said.

Vernon’s overall record was 10-10 last season and the team finished third in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Freedom Division with a 6-6 record against division opponents.

The Vikings made the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey, Section 1, Group 2 Tournament as the No. 13 seed and were defeated by fourth-seed and eventual sectional champion Jefferson in the first round. Jefferson advanced to the Group 2 championship, where it lost to Haddon Heights.

This year, Vernon competes in the division with Kittatinny, Jefferson, Lenape Valley, High Point and North Warren.

“We will challenge ourselves to be contenders,’’ Ludeking said. “We are very young and we may have a little bit of rebuilding, but we are up for the challenges in this season. Our division will all be tough, especially (with) Jefferson returning most of their team.’’