Moorestown High School’s softball program has seen growth over the past few years, according to players.
Moorestown High School’s varsity softball coach William Mulvihill said this season’s team has all the ingredients for success. He said with seven out of the team’s nine starting players returning and a good group of young players eager to work hard, he anticipates some wins in the team’s future.
“Some younger players stepped up and had good years last year,” Mulvihill said. “We’ll be looking to have them be key players this year.”
Mulvill said the core consists primarily of sophomores and juniors with only two or three seniors on the team. He said both of the team’s pitchers are back and bringing experience to the mound.
Due to the recent inclement weather, Mulvihill said thus far, practices have primarily taken place indoors. He said players have been running drills and practicing in the batting cage.
Britani Fiore, who plays first base, said practices have been going well thus far. She said Mulvill has incorporated new drills and has been pushing the team hard.
The team’s focus this season will be executing simple plays well and scoring runs, Mulvihill said.
“An area that has haunted us for a while is being consistent making the easy plays instead of making errors,” Mulvihill said. “You’ve got to make the simple plays.”
Shortstop Asha Bezwada said she’s seen tremendous growth since joining the team her freshman year. She said the team has become increasingly more dedicated with every passing year.
“We’re really growing as a program,” Bezwada said.
Fiore said she thinks the team’s greatest strength is their fielding. She said having so many returning players also puts them at an advantage because there’s a sense of camaraderie and trust among the team.
“I feel like we’re going to have a good season this year,” Fiore said. “Being close and having trust in everyone really makes you play [well] together as team.”
Bezwada said in her eyes, the team’s greatest strength and challenge is having several solid players who play the same position. She said the competition makes everyone better, and the team as a whole grows stronger as players find their positions over the course of the season.
Last year, the team made it two games into the playoffs, which was further than the team had ever come previously, Bezwada said. She said with this being her final season with the team, she’s hopeful the team can take it even further this go-around.
“I’m really hopeful that we can make a solid run in playoffs, especially for my senior season,” Bezwada said.
Fiore said she’s optimistic about the season ahead.
“Moorestown, we’re a good team but we really don’t get the credit for it,” Fiore said. “I feel like we’re going to do something this year.”
