Seniors leading Vernon softball to strong season

VERNON — They may not be acquiring the same attention that other teams with comparably outstanding records have been getting so far, but be certain that the Vernon High School softball program is having itself a great season.
Credit for the notable accomplishments earned by the Vikings this spring deserves to be spread around and that definitely includes the leaders on the roster including Franki Potocki (senior),Gianna Valsoaney (senior), Kaylin Schofeld (senior), Melissa Lancellotti (senior), Taylor Krasnomowitz (senior) and Nicole Struble (senior).
“I did something out of the norm,
Vernon head coach Kerry Ludeking said. “I named my six seniors captain, why because they have worked so hard in the last four years with the varsity, they have showed amazing talent on and off the field-all six going to accredited amazing colleges/universities and they have leadership qualities of all different traits. Some show it by doing, some by talking, some by motivating and some by just being an amazing support system for this program.
“I have them take responsibility and show the younger athletes that sometimes it’s not all about what happens on the field, but also off. It is how we act in and around other areas of our life; not just on the softball team. These six girls are amazing all in their own way and I am very proud to call them my captains."
As individuals and in their leadership roles, each of the captains has shown improvements this year.
“The individual stats are strong and all of them are a threat with the bats," Ludeking said.“Yet they are all even stronger on the defensive side of the game. All of the girls have a ton of accomplishments-on and off the field. The defense just keeps getting stronger and many have taken their batting average to the next level.
“They have built the confidence in the younger players and they do take them to another level. They speak to them with advice and they make those younger players believe, the back them up and always cheer them on. This group believes in the word team."
Through 13 regular season games the Vikings had an overall record of 12-1 and they were 3-1 in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Freedom Division. On May 15 they have a home game scheduled versus Lakeland.
“The group that has help to push this team forward with this group of seniors are Natalie Alheidt (junior), Victoria Grifone (sophomore), Olivia Amorosi (sophomore),
Olivia Vizzini (sophomore) and Kaitlyn Buurman (freshman)," Ludeking said.