LITTLE FALLS — A young Passaic Valley softball team has found the early stages of the 2008 season difficult, but coach Chris Cannon is far from discouraged.
The Hornets took a 3-7 mark into Monday's game with Millburn. Back-to-back games with Wayne Valley were also played earlier this week in a first round Passaic County Tournament battle. Tomorrow, it's off to West Orange in a 4 p.m. start and on Saturday, Hudson County Prep visits Little Falls in an 11 a.m. game.
"We're young," Cannon said. "And at times, we're playing like a young team does. We're making mistakes and not always coming up with timely hitting. The kids are working hard and we're not counting out making the (state) playoffs. We just have to get on a roll and be a little more consistent."
The team has made some improvement since Ali DiLuccia moved to third base from the outfield and Jenny Tafro switched from third to first.
"They're both doing a good job in their new roles and it's helped our infield defense," Cannon said.
The Hornets opened the season with a win over DePaul Catholic, then dropped seven straight before sweeping a twinbill from Orange last week.
"We lost some close games in that stretch, but also ran across some very good opponents," Cannon said. "We'd lose a (2-0) game to PCT, where I thought we'd play better, then come back and play well in a (3-0) loss to Clifton. That's what I mean about being up and down this year. We lost some tough games to West Milford and Mount St. Dominic.
"I'm hoping the second time around we'll play better against the conference teams, starting (tomorrow) against West Orange. Right now, the goal is to improve and this week will be important."
Cannon has been pleased with the leadership provided by seniors Sam DeCeglie, a shortstop and rightfielder Stephanie DiLauri. The team's leading hitter is junior Jaclyn Morino, who is hitting .330 and was 5 for her last 8.
On the mound, junior Kristin Spinelli and freshman Megan Anderson have both looked good, while second baseman Katie Yoder has been solid defensively.
NOTES: The Hornets were seeded tenth in the Passaic County Tournament. The team has had success in the PCT of late, including an appearance in the finals in 2006, where it lost to Wayne Valley. Pompton Lakes garnered the top seed, while West Milford was second and Clifton, third.
