21 hours Ago By Rick Fortenbaugh
Steinert’s Francesca Castellano connects on a solo home run in the second inning against Hightstown during a CVC Colonial Division softball game on Wednesday afternoon at Whitehouse-Ruppert Field in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Steinert’s Francesca Castellano rounds the bases after she hit a solo home run in the second inning against Hightstown during a CVC Colonial Division softball game on Wednesday afternoon at Whitehouse-Ruppert Field in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Steinert’s Francesca Castellano, left, slaps hands with teammate Aleiya O’Neal, right, after Castellano hit a solo home run in the second inning against Hightstown during a CVC Colonial Division softball game on Wednesday afternoon at Whitehouse-Ruppert Field in Hamilton Twp.
(Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Steinert’s Francesca Castellano, center, is congratulated by teammates Nikki Donovan, left, and Lindsey Swiczak, right, after she hit a three-run homer in the third inning against Hightstown during a CVC Colonial Division softball game on Wednesday afternoon at Whitehouse-Ruppert Field in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Steinert pitcher Katie Simonka delivers to the plate against Hightstown during a CVC Colonial Division softball game on Wednesday afternoon at Whitehouse-Ruppert Field in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Steinert pitcher Katie Simonka throws to the plate against Hightstown during a CVC Colonial Division softball game on Wednesday afternoon at Whitehouse-Ruppert Field in Hamilton Twp.
(Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Hightstown pitcher Kady Olsen delivers to the plate against Steinert during a CVC Colonial Division softball game on Wednesday afternoon at Whitehouse-Ruppert Field in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Hightstown shortstop Lilly Peto throws the ball to first base against Steinert during a CVC Colonial Division softball game on Wednesday afternoon at Whitehouse-Ruppert Field in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Hightstown’s Olivia Werden runs through the first base bag against Steinert during a CVC Colonial Division softball game on Wednesday afternoon at Whitehouse-Ruppert Field in Hamilton Twp.
(Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Steinert’s Francesca Castellano smiles in the dugout after she hit a two-run homer in the third inning against Hightstown during a CVC Colonial Division softball game on Wednesday afternoon at Whitehouse-Ruppert Field in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Steinert’s Francesca Castellano rounds third base after she hit a three-run homer in the third inning against Hightstown during a CVC Colonial Division softball game on Wednesday afternoon at Whitehouse-Ruppert Field in Hamilton Twp. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)Show Caption1 of 11Steinert’s Francesca Castellano connects on a solo home run in the second inning against Hightstown during a CVC Colonial Division softball game on Wednesday afternoon at Whitehouse-Ruppert Field in Hamilton Twp.
(Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)ExpandHAMILTON — It was the start to a new season, but it sure looked like the same old Steinert High School softball team in a 9-2 cruise over Hightstown on Wednesday.One of the biggest reasons you can say that is because with the exception of missing a couple of injured starters, this is the same Steinert team that had no seniors a year ago and is attempting to become the first public school team to win three straight New Jersey state championships,Expected to be No. 1 when the first installment of The Trentonian’s Area Ratings come out later week, Steinert’s bar is so high victories like this almost come across as routine.
Routine, that is, in terms of the final score. What was not so routine was the way senior lefty pitcher Katie Simonka and sophomore first baseman Francesca Casteliano got their seasons underway.Striking out all three batters she faced in four of the innings, Simonka compiled an impressive total of 17 strikeouts while firing a one-hitter.
The hit was a big one as pitcher Kady Olsen slammed a two-run homer to center after a one-out walk in the fourth, but otherwise Simonka was untouchable.“For sure,” replied Steinert coach Jenn Melker when asked if she thinks Simonka’s velocity is up this year. “This is a big year for her.
She knew she had to put in a lot of hard work to get ready and she did it.”Headed to Division I Fairleigh Dickinson University, Simonka is one of four Mercer County pitchers to record wins in two state finals and should she prevail in another she will be the first to win three.Castellano, meanwhile, got her season off to a flying start by opening the scoring with a home run in the second inning.
This set the stage for her three-run home run in the third that staked her team to an insurmountable 4-0 lead.Prior to Castellano’s second bomb of the game, Nikki Donovan and Lindsey Swiczak had singled against Olsen, who gave up 13 hits and struck out four.“Francesca has the power,” said Melker when asked why she has moved her into the clean-up spot.
After an RBI double by Siwczak in the fourth, Steinert poured it on with four more in the fifth. Following a walk to Castellano, and a single by Victoria Poppert, senior catcher Addison Hassan (Rowan University in the fall) doubled home a run. From there, Gia DiMeglio beat out a bunt single, Donovan singled home a run and Mia Pope lined a two-run double to complete the scoring.
Steinert’s tremendous second baseman Bianca Walsh is currently out with a knee injury, but is expected back soon. Danica Spak has a wrist injury and was limited to pinch running duties on Wednesday, but is also expected to return to the outfield in the near future.The Spartans have some big games coming up right away.
On Saturday they are scheduled to play North Hunterdon and Hunterdon Central in a showcase at Robbinsville. Steinert will also be at Northern Burlington on Monday.HIghtstown (1-1) 000 200 0 – 2 1 0Steinert (1-0) 013 140 x – 9 13 0WP-Simonka.
LP-Olsen. 2B-Pope (S), Hassan (S), O’Neal (S), Swiczak (S), HR-Olsen (H), Castellano 2 (S)..
