COMING IN CONTACT: Princeton High softball player Natalie Hester makes contact in a game last season. Junior star shortstop and Rutgers commit Hester is batting .312 with six RBIs to provide a spark for PHS. The Tigers, who lost 14-2 to Monroe last Monday to move to 1-5, host Robbinsville on April 24 and Holy Cross Prep on April 26 before playing at Hightstown on April 28. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even though the Princeton High softball team trailed Monroe 14-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning last Monday and faced getting run-ruled, Natalie Hester wasn’t about to give up.

PHS junior shortstop Hester legged out an infield grounder to get on base and proceeded to steal second and third.

“I was trying to get something going, the stolen bases were to try to pump up the team and to get something rolling,” said Hester.

Although Hester ended up getting stranded as PHS lost 14-2 to move to 1-5, she liked the way the Tigers fought in defeat.

“We lost six seniors last year so we are bringing back a new team,” said Hester, who is batting .312 with three runs and six RBIs so far this spring. “I think we battled pretty well under the circumstances.”

As a three-year starter, Hester is aiming to fill the leadership void left by those seniors.

“I am looking to be more vocal, making sure everyone stays in the game and is ready at the first pitch and keeps it going,” said Hester.

Having come to PHS from Indiana in her freshman year, Hester has gone to great lengths to keep playing for the high-powered Indiana Magic Gold club program.

“I fly to the tournaments in the summer and fall,” said Hester. “It is a lot, no social time just softball and school. This is my eighth year with them. I know them pretty well so I stuck with them.”

Hester will be sticking around in the area as she has committed to attend Rutgers and play for its Division I softball program.

“I was looking at Illinois, Rutgers and Notre Dame, I chose Rutgers because of the head coach (Kristen Butler),” said Hester. “I feel like it was a good team and they could help me get better. I like the east coast, I want to stay here.”

PHS head coach Marissa Soprano believes her team has been getting better even as it has taken its lumps in the early going.

“We lost a lot of seniors from last year so we are still trying to figure out who will be covering the defensive positions and just making sure that they play solid softball,” said Soprano. “They played really well last week. Against Notre Dame especially (a 7-3 loss on April 15), they performed really well. We are just trying to teach them that they can hang with good teams and make sure that they have confidence going in and play to the best of the ability.”

Soprano credits Hester with being a catalyst for the Tigers.

“She hits the ball really hard, she can beat out the infield single to get on base,” said Soprano. “Her speed really helps us in terms of trying to get momentum and runners in position to score.”

In reflecting on the loss to Monroe, Soprano acknowledged that some defensive lapses hurt PHS.

“We made a few mistakes that gave the other team extra bases and extra outs and we want to eliminate that moving forward,” said Soprano. “We are working on more solid defense. We were talking to the girls about being able to have more solid innings and not giving them extra bases so that we can stay more competitive in games.”

Sophomore catcher Eko Brown has been competing hard with her glove and bat this spring, playing well behind the plate and hitting .353.

“She is so solid behind the plate, she really works well with Erin [Pilicer],” said Soprano of Brown. “She has great picks back there to help keep the runners in place. She has done a really good job at the leadoff spot. We like her there.”

The pair of sophomore outfielder Simryn Patel and freshman infielder Mia Abrams-Sartor have been doing some good things.

“Sim has been a good spot in left so far this season, she is also very aware of the strike zone which helps us,” said Soprano. “We are really excited to see Mia on the team this year. She has been pretty sold at third base and she also catches. That is a good addition to have someone as a backup in case we need it.”

With PHS hosting Robbinsville on April 24 and Holy Cross Prep on April 26 before playing at Hightstown on April 28, Soprano is looking for her squad to sharpen up in the field.

“We just have to make sure our defense is solid, we talked about having more 1-2-3 innings and making sure that if there is a mistake having just one,” said Soprano. “We tell them you are going to make physical mistakes but we want to make sure that you pick your teammates up and get the next out.”

Soprano likes the way her players have been picking each other up as they have gone through the ups and downs this spring.

“They are a good group, they are very close which helps,” added Soprano. “I think it will translate as we get further into the season of working well together.”

For Hester, coming from the Midwest to join the PHS group has been a very good experience.

“It definitely has been different,” said Hester. “I love the girls, it is a great team atmosphere.”