Chris Canning's Hornets were 8-13 this year, but the first-year head coach saw a lot of improvement in his team.

 "We got off real slow," Canning said. "At one point, we were 3-10, and two of those wins were against a very inexperienced team. But in the second half of the year, we ran off five-straight wins and avenged a few conference losses (to West Orange and Passaic Tech) in the process. Most importantly, the kids really improved. We got some key hits and the younger players began to settle into varsity roles."

 Seniors Sam DeCeglie and Stephanie DiLauri were outstanding on the field and provided leadership to a young nucleus. DeCeglie, a shortstop, hit a key two-run double in a come-from-behind win over West Orange earlier this month, which avenged an earlier setback. DiLauri played solid defense in right field.

 "Their overall play was a big part of our improvement," Canning said.

 Jaclyn Morino, a junior centerfielder, had another solid campaign for the Hornets, hitting a team best .350 and leading the way with 15 RBI.

 "She actually hit near .360 against the stronger teams, like Mount St. Dominic, Millburn, Pequannock and Wayne Valley," Canning said. "Our opponents knew she was our best offensive player and at times would try and work around her, but she still was the key to our offense."

 Morino had endured consecutive knee injuries in the past two seasons, but she was healthy this year and will be among the top players in Passaic County next spring.

 Junior Kristin Spinelli was a much stronger pitcher in the second half of the season.

 "She cut down on her walks and wild pitches as the year progressed," Canning said. "It's not surprising that we got better as she improved her game. She really came around and became a solid varsity player."

 Kate Yoder, a junior second baseman, struggled at the plate early, but she hit over .300 in the final month of the season, in addition to playing excellent defense.

 The sophomore class had some key contributors, led by catcher Jami DeGrote, first baseman Jenny Tafro and leftfielder Jess Reilly.

 DeGrote was a second baseman in 2007 before moving behind the plate this spring.

 "She really did a tremendous job," Canning said of DeGrote. "Her defense was tremendous. It's not easy making that kind of move on the varsity level, but she did the job."

 Tafro made an immediate impact after beginning the season on the junior varsity.

 "Jenny started the year on the JV," Canning said. "But she came up to the varsity in late April and gave us a spark on offense. She hit .290 for us and we're very optimistic she'll be a big part of next year's team."

 Reilly's speed was key for Passaic Valley.

 "We started working with her as a slap hitter and she's really improved," Canning said. "She has great speed and when she slaps the ball effectively, she's almost impossible to throw out."

 Most of the players will be competing in summer leagues and taking part in fall softball in September. A strong feeder program also gives Canning optimism. The J.V. team, coached by Joe Auteri, finished 12-3 this spring, while the freshman squad was 7-6 under the direction of former Hornets star Kathleen Berthold. There is also a very talented group of eighth graders on the horizon as well.

 "Our younger programs all did well this season," Canning said. "And we're very optimistic about the play of our eighth graders. We've had some great teams here in the past and we're hoping our future will be just as good."