Sam McQueen makes contact during a game at Hopewell on May 16. Ewing won 18-1.
Sara Bearden throws a pitch during a game at Hopewell on May 16.
Under head coach Dan Bernoski, the Ewing High School softball team has been one of the school’s most successful programs.
The Blue Devils played to a 14-10 record this season, advancing to the quarterfinal round of the Mercer County Tournament and losing a close 9-8 matchup against Matawan in the opening round of the state tournament.
One of the season’s highlights came on April 26 against Notre Dame. Ewing came back from a 6-2 deficit to defeat the Irish 11-6 for the first time in seven years.
“That was one of the biggest wins we had all season,” second baseman Nicole Capuano said. “We could have beat them last year. This was the loudest I’d heard our dugout all year. They really responded each time. Notre Dame didn’t give up, but we didn’t either.”
Bernoski had a few words of advice for the girls before that particular game.
“I said, ‘If it’s going to be, it’s up to me,’” he said. “Each one of them has to say that, and when you put them together collectively, they’re 15 minds and 15 bodies playing as one. That’s what they did that day. They were pumped. They were psyched. That’s what you play for, those kinds of games.”
He said the rivalry has grown over the last few season because many of the girls on both teams know each other.
“It becomes a little bit personal because we have some kids from Ewing that play for Notre Dame,” Bernoski said. “I think they’re probably one of our biggest rivals. We always play them tough.”
According to Bernoski, though, tough is the only way the girls know how to play. They go out ready to play, no matter the opponent.
“I think that’s been instilled in them all their lives because most of them have been playing since they were five years old,” he said. “They know how to stay focused and not take anybody lightly. They’re not going to fall into a trap.”
Capuano said she and her teammates are constantly alert on and off the field.
“We really strive to make sure that we win the games we know we can win,” she said. “There have been times where we’ve gone into games a little bit cocky, and that can really bite you in the butt. We just want to come out here and do the best we can, regardless or what team it is.”
It’s something Bernoski said he “loves” to see.
“We have a good-hitting team,” he said. “We know that. If you look up and down our lineup, everybody contributes at one point or another. We have probably seven or eight girls who are hitting over .300. We have a couple who are hitting over .400. Any time you’re successful three out of ten times in softball or baseball, that’s an achievement.”
The team finished the season with over 230 total hits. Though the Blue Devils didn’t advance as far in the county and state tournaments as they may have wanted, they are pleased with the way the team came together during games like the Notre Dame matchup.
“We know we’re going to face tough competitors,” Capuano said. “We just have to really work together. That’s one of the best things about this team. In years past, I really didn’t feel like the team was as close as it is now. We all hang out together on the weekends. We know each other. That really helps on the field to support each other. We know we can win. We believe in each other.”
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