SOFTBALL

Passaic Tech softball opens season with victory

Mike Lamberti
Correspondent

Passaic Tech opened its 2017 season April 1 with a victory over Kennedy. And as coach Mike Boorman and his staff prepare for a big week of action, the veteran is optimistic that the Bulldogs can put together a fourth straight winning season.

PCT played Clifton on April 3, and will face a big test April 6, when it travels to powerful Immaculate Heart in Washington Township for a 4 p.m. game. The Bulldogs will host Passaic on April 7 and take part in the Darlene Dondero Classic on April 8, playing Pompton Lakes at 5 p.m.

Passaic Tech finished 14-9 last season, with a strong group of juniors and seniors. The senior class has obviously been graduated and now the juniors take the lead as the Bulldogs open the campaign.

"We had a good turnout of players," said Boorman. "The seniors from last year, and this year's senior class, have done a lot for our program, in making it successful. We have to replace some talented kids from last year, but we're getting kids now who play club ball in the summer and are really prepared to play the game."

Sixty five freshmen came out for the team, as well as a good turnout for the JV and varsity programs.

"It's been great to see this kind of turnout for the team," said Boorman. "There's a lot of competition."

PCT was 14-9 for the second straight year last spring. In 2014, the Bulldogs finished 16-8. The program has won three straight conference championships in the Big North, and advanced to the county semifinals in 2016.

The bad weather was a factor in March, as the team didn't get in as many scrimmages and practice time as it hoped to.

"We were all in the same boat, except for the schools that went to Florida," said Boorman. "We have a great facility here at PCT and we're ready to go."

The Bulldogs will be led by senior Na'Angel Hodge, a pitcher and second baseman, as well as seniors Raquel Cabrera, a pitcher, outfielder Dinalixy Ramirez and catcher Juliana Tolerico.

The junior class features third baseman Sam Vitale, outfielders Janaya Espino and Lisbeth Acosta and infielders Leila Roberts and Tianna Marquez. Kristen DeVore Young, an outfielder, and infielders Aracelis Diaz and Nina Reynoso are the sophomores on the varsity roster while freshmen Taylor Panico (infielder) and Geneen Garner (shortstop) could see time as well.

The coaching staff includes Ronnie Williams and former Wayne Valley standout shortstop Shannon Mozak.

"We have a good staff," said Boorman. "It's great to have Shannon on our staff. She relates well to the kids and was a tremendous high school and college player. She also coached at Columbia University for a while."

This week's schedule will be a good indicator of where the team stands.'

"Clifton is always a solid program and going to IHA will be good for the kids," said Boorman. "Last year, we lost to IHA, 3-2, and of course, they went to another state championship. They're a great program, but our kids look forward to playing that kind of competition. And then we play a good Pompton Lakes team in the Dondero Classic on Saturday."

Senior Na'Angel Hodge will pitch and play second base for Passaic Tech.