Vernon softball team preparing for season

VERNON — Every time that they step onto the field this season, members of the Vernon High School softball program will be doing so alongside fellow student-athletes with whom they are very familiar.
Many players on this spring’s Vikings team have worked well together since they started playing the sport several years ago. That familiarity and the recognition of each other’s tendencies could certainly help Vernon toward the goals that they are striving to achieve.
It won’t be at all simple, as the Vikings have a very challenging schedule awaiting them, but if the players stick together as a cohesive unit and trust the strategies put forth by the coaching staff, they should find success, even against the tough opposition that will confront them on a regular basis.
Key returning players for the Vikings this season include Ally Latham (senior, outfield, captain), Franki Potocki (senior, short stop/pitcher), Gianna Valsoaney (junior, catcher), Natalie Alheidt (sophomore, infielder/pitcher/catcher) and Gabby Colon (sophomore, outfield).
Promising newcomers for Vernon this year include Olivia Ambrose (freshman, outfield), Victoria Grifone (freshman, pitcher) and Olivia Vizzini (freshman, third base).
Kerry Ludeking, the head coach for the Vikings, will look toward Latham for her leadership abilities.
“As a three-year starter and excellent leadership skills I will need her to help along not just a young team but also a very young outfield," Ludeking said.
The Vikings now compete in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Freedom Division along with Hackettstown, High Point, Lenape Valley and Newton.
“We would like to be the spoiler team, but we will be the contenders," Ludeking said. “We have entered another new division, yet we have played all these teams in the past two years.
“Everyone [in the Freedom Division is a team to beat], there is no longer a team who is just an easy team, all of the NJAC and old SCIL teams are strong and want the same as we do," Ludeking said.
Vernon earned 10 wins in 2016 and advanced to the NJSIAA North 1 Group 3 Sectional Tournament where they were defeated by Northern Highlands. They are scheduled to host Newton on April 3.
“A major goal is to bring the winning mentality into the Vernon softball team, be a major contender with most teams and get deeper into post season play," Ludeking said. “There may be great returning players to this team, and there may be great newcomers, yet this entire team for 2017, has a ton of talent at two levels. If this talent gels together and we as a team use all of the talent at the right time, we will be a great winning team."