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04/21/2018 12:00 AMThe 2018 Hand softball team saw some shakeups on the field after graduating several key seniors from a year ago. However, the Tigers are hardly viewing this year as a rebuilding season as they’re picking right up where they left off and have unblemished record to show for it.
Last year, Head Coach Mike Niekrash’s club won the SCC Quinnipiac Division, advanced to the Class L State Tournament quarterfinals, and finished with an overall record of 17-7. This season, the Tigers have had to shuffle the deck a bit, but thanks to the combo of several solid veterans and a handful of up-and-comers, Hand is off a 7-0 start. Most recently, the Tigers notched a 15-0 rout of Branford in its SCC Quinnipiac Division opener on April 18 and then claimed a 4-3 victory over Sheehan two days later.
“We are exceeding our expectations so far. I knew we had solid players going in, and we only have two players back in the same position they were in last year, so a lot of players have done their job and stepped up,” said Niekrash. “We have the same goals every year in first winning eight games to get to states, winning our division, then winning the SCC Tournament, and then winning a state title. We have a chance to do all of those.”
Hand features a twin-sister duo sharing the leadership duties this season in senior captains Caroline Schreck and Sophie Schreck. Sophie makes the move from third base to shortstop, while Caroline provides some pop at the plate as a designated hitter, in addition to serving in a reserve role on the pitching staff.
“Sophie is leading the team in hitting and is doing a great job at short. She is a great athlete and was an All-State First Team player in field hockey last fall,” Coach Niekrash said. “Caroline is also having a great year so far hitting the ball. Both sisters have been great leaders for the team, as well.”
Senior Abby Geshwind is back on the hill as the Tigers’ primary starting pitcher after making the All-SCC Second Team and tossing a perfect game in the first round of states last season; she also bats cleanup. Catcher Lily Arida and center fielder Hannah Martin are Hand’s two other senior starters.
“Abby has done a solid job as pitcher and our No. 4 hitter. She is an experienced pitcher, which is always great to have in the circle. She is a crucial player who is also doing it with the bat,” said Niekrash. “Hannah is a solid left fielder. Lily was a backup in the shadows of [last year’s catcher] Lily Geshwind, but she’s doing a great job behind the plate.”
The Tigers also have some solid juniors and sophomores making an impact in both the outfield and infield this year. Grace Kuck is starting in left field, while fellow junior Taylor Leckey is patrolling right field. Caroline O’Connor is Hand’s third baseman, sophomore classmate Christina Coric is starting at first base, and freshman Grace Hartmann is playing second and batting leadoff.
“Grace has done a great job in left and is hitting the ball extremely well. Taylor has had a great year at the plate,” said Niekrash. “Christina and Caroline have done solid work in the infield, as well. Grace has been great at setting the table with her hitting and speed as a leadoff hitter.”
Although it’s been a chilly spring, Niekrash believes that his pitching and defense will heat up along with the weather. Hand has some top-notch SCC adversaries on the second half of its schedule, and so the coach knows the Tigers need to be clicking on all cylinders to handle such a grueling slate of games.
“We have to play better defense and be more consistent with our pitching, but the pitching will get better as the weather warms up, I think,” Niekrash said. “We play Waterford out of conference, and they are always a good program. We have a good rivalry game against Guilford, and they have one of the best players in the state in Amanda King. We finish the regular season with them, so that one will be a barnburner. East Haven has also become a big rival for us. We came back from five runs down twice to beat Amity earlier this year, so they will be waiting for us in the rematch.”
From the Sidelines
Mike Niekrash is back for his 10th year as the Tigers’ skipper. He also served as an assistant coach for the SCC and Class M state champion Hand field hockey team in the fall.
David Buller (varsity assistant, 2nd year) and Mary Pat Maloney (JV coach, 7th season) are the softball squad’s assistant coaches this year. Niekrash, Buller, and Maloney all share the duties of coaching the freshman team.
The Tigers play in the SCC Quinnipiac Division with East Haven, West Haven, Branford, and Hillhouse.