Par Hills Softball Expecting Big Things This Season

The weather is starting to warm up (pay no attention to the snow on the ground), and that means spring sports are about to start for Parsippany Hills High School varsity squads. As opening day approaches, we're taking a look at each of the teams as they ready for competition. Today, we take a look at the Par Hills softball team.

Overview

After their most impressive season in more than 20 years, the Par Hills softball team is gearing up for a repeat performance in 2011. Led by fourth-year head coach Chrissy Russell, Par Hills heads into the season with nine returning players. With great team chemistry and loads of experience, look for this team to turn some heads this spring.

Last season's results

Par Hills had their most impressive season since the early 80s, working to a 16-9 mark and making a visit to the Morris County Tournament’s semifinal round.

Keep your eye on

• Cara McNeil, First Base (Sr.)-A leader both on and off the field, McNeil is an all-county player at first base. Russell anticipates a big season for the Par Hills senior.
• Becky Becher, Centerfield (Sr.)—Beecher is another returning starter for the Vikings in 2011 and her experience on the diamond will be crucial to the maturation of this team.
• Jen Dathe, Leftfield (Sr.)— Dathe is one of four returning seniors for the Par Hills squad. As a key member of the lineup, look for Dathe to step up big in 2011.

They'll miss

• Alex Hill-The Vikings ace in 2010, Hill racked up wins in Par Hills’ impressive season. Her absence this season will be a big one, but look for senior Nikki Carroll or one member of Hills’ deep staff to step in nicely.

• Rylie Pietrowicz- Another of Par Hills star players in 2010, Pietrowicz captained the infield at shortstop. Her bat and glove will be sorely missed this season.
• Brittany Wohl- Wohl was another integral part of the Par Hills resurgence in 2010 as the senior played a giant role in the Vikings lineup.

 Coach’s Take

“I expect huge things from this team. With nine players returning and some real good young talent, we have a real good pitching staff, a deep pitching staff, so as long as they come together on the field and communicate we should do good things.” -Russell

They said it

"I expect really amazing things. We have great communication and great team bonding so I’m expecting great things this year. We’ve been working on a lot of little things from last year so that we can improve this year.” - McNeil

"We have really good communication and we’re all really tight so I think we can do very well this season. We lost a couple of good seniors, but we gained a lot of really talented freshmen so I think we have people to fill those holes." -Dathe

“We had a good season last year so I’m hoping this year we come out real strong and play the game we love. I think we know how good we are and how great we can be, if we just play our hearts out, we can do very well.” –Becher

“Being a pitcher, I plan to work hard and be the next pitcher this year. This team is capable of a lot. It’s a matter of applying ourselves and being the team that we know we are.” –Carroll

 

2011 Parsippany Hills Softball Team Roster