Raider Softball Secures Winning Record With Big Victories

By TARA JENNINGS, Staff Writer

May 8, 2019

Posters decorate the Raider dugout during the 2019 Softball Senior Night, held at Community Park in North Brunswick on Friday, May 3, 2019. Many people worked to make the night a memorable experience for this year’s seniors, with underclassmen members of the team making posters and parents providing food and a DJ. (Photo Courtesy of Shaun Morrell)

On Monday, May 6, 2019, the North Brunswick Township High School Varsity Softball team concluded their regular season and secured a winning record (9-8) with their victory against Monroe Township High School. The Raiders had to go on the road for the game, which was held at the Thomas Allen Softball Complex in Monroe as part of Monroe’s Softball Senior Night, but battled hard and ultimately won the game 10-8. This victory was the second significant win for the Raiders within the last two weeks; the team had suffered a four-game losing streak during spring break, but the girls pushed through and defeated Colonia 6-1 on the Raiders’ Senior Night before their win against Monroe on Monday. With the Greater Middlesex County (GMC) Tournament starting on May 8 for the Raiders―who will play on the road against Old Bridge at Mannino Park―these key victories give the team a momentum that couldn’t come at a better time in the season.

The senior members of NBTHS’ Raider softball team celebrate their Senior Night with their families on Friday, May 3, 2019 in Community Park. The girls went on to win their Senior Night Game against Colonia, which was only the first of two significant wins for the team within the last week; the second came with their victory against Monroe Township High School on Monday, May 6. (Photo Courtesy of Shaun Morrell)

Adriana Barnes, a sophomore member of the Varsity Softball team at NBTHS, said that she believes the season is going pretty well. “We could be doing better, but we’re working well as a team and it’s been a better season than last year,” she explained. “We have the potential to get to States and make it far.”

This sentiment was echoed by Kayla Hofacker, a senior member of the Raider Varsity team. “The season’s been great,” she said. “Senior night was really a night to remember.”

Even though the 2019 season is beginning to wind down, members of the NBTHS softball program are still working hard. With two crucial wins within the last week, there is no doubt that the team has momentum coming into GMCs and States; what they will do with that momentum, however, remains to be seen.