Howell softball clears first postseason hurdle: 'Try to have as much fun as we can'
HOWELL -- The Howell softball team has been through a gauntlet this spring. Playing in the most competitive division in the Shore (at least top-to-bottom), the Rebels came into the opening game of the Shore Conference Tournament one game below .500 for the season.
Howell could've been worn down and defeated. The Rebels have had tense matchups with the likes of powerhouses Middletown North and Colts Neck. Instead, they rediscovered the joy of the game on the diamond in the opening round of the SCT against Freehold Borough on Thursday.
"Try to have as much fun as we can," Howell coach Katelyn Kuzma said. "Because at the end of the day, that's what it's about."
The Rebels were having fun throughout the scoreless first inning as their jovial bench had enough energy to fill the field at Howell High School. They were still having fun with two runners in scoring position, even as consecutive outs made it appear they might be stranded.
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Then sophomore Madison Winemiller hit a dinger into right center field. Then the players at Howell were really having fun.
"I knew it was a solid hit when it came off the bat," said Winemiller. "When I saw it go... (interrupted by laughter of teammate Madisyn Zito)... was when it hit me that it was out."
The manner in which Howell reveled in the defining moment of the 3-2 victory almost overshadowed the fact that it's the first conference tournament win for the program since Kuzma took over as head coach.
"They have a little bit of excitement that we did it, we accomplished what we wanted to do at the beginning of the season," said Kuzma. "Our girls came to play, and we had a good time. It was fun."
Howell has seen 'best of the best' in A North
The single offensive outburst by Winemiller in the bottom of the second, which scored Paityn Knapp and Alyssa Morales, was enough for Howell to topple Freehold Borough in the opening round of the SCT. The matchup was appropriately close given the seeding of Howell at 16 and Freehold at 17.
The Rebels withstood a clutch comeback attempt by the Colonials that was sparked by star senior Giana Abinanti, who had had two deep outs to left field and right field before finally hitting a solo home run to put Freehold Boro on the board. Two at-bats later, freshman Katherine Martin hit an RBI double to cut the deficit to just one run heading into the final inning.
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Ultimately, Howell pitcher Madisyn Zito was unwavering as she shut the door on the comeback effort.
"I tried to keep going strong, and they did have that late comeback. But we knew that even if that happened, we were still winning that game," Zito said. "We had a little breathing room thanks to Maddie's home run. So we were just able to play our game and it all worked out."
Howell improved to 9-9 with the win and the team's journey to this point has been tumultuous in the Shore's A North Division. The Rebels hold two wins over Freehold Township in three matchups and beat Marlboro to open the month of May, but they've also been caught with two losses against Middletown South and have not been able to overcome perennial powers Middletown North and Colts Neck.
"Our division is very competitive," said Zito. "They really push us to be our best all season. So we've been improving and we haven't really been staying steady. So we've seen the best of the best and now we've got to keep channeling what we did in those games to win."
Despite the difficult divisional schedule, the Howell will face its toughest test of the season in the second round of the conference tournament.
Matchup with SJV
The reward for Howell's first SCT win in several years is facing the Shore's top team: St. John Vianney. The reigning Non-Public A state champion has not a lost a step this spring, as demonstrated by its 9-1 dismantling of Morris Knolls on Tuesday. The Lancers went on the road and blew out a team with a 16-1 record, a testament to their incredible fortitude.
The recipe for Howell will be simple: enjoy the chance at an upset and relish in being the underdog.
"SJV is good, but we're going in there with a lot of experience," said Zito. "We just have to keep chugging along, keep working hard and you know, there's gonna be an upset watch hopefully."
For the junior pitcher, she knows a lot will hinge on her ability to keep the dangerous lineup of the Lancers at least somewhat in check.
"I know that I have to be on my 'A' game that day," Zito added. "I can't miss because they're going to capitalize on those mistakes."
Beyond the SCT, Howell will try to make a push in the NJSIAA Group 4 sectional playoffs after winning an opening round playoff game last year. But too much time spent dwelling on the tension of future competition is the antithesis of what got the Rebels the win on Thursday.
"We're always playing so tight I feel, so we tried to loosen up a little bit," said Kuzma. "The girls know their roles, and they have fun with it."
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ Shore softball: Howell beats Freehold in Shore Conference Tournament
