This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
04/12/2019 12:00 AMWhile Allyson Pitney is no stranger to coaching at Valley Regional, this spring marks her first full season as head coach of the Warriors’ softball team. Allyson, who took the reins on an interim basis in the middle of the 2018 campaign, feels excited to be leading Valley on the ballfield this year. Allyson is also an assistant coach with the girls’ basketball team and had previously spent three seasons as an assistant for girls’ soccer.
Allyson has built up a lot of experience coaching various sports. She’s coached each one of the sports that she played while she was a student at East Windsor High School. Allyson, who was recently inducted into the East Windsor Hall of Fame, saw her biggest success on the softball field, where she was an All-State player for the Panthers. Allyson loves passing on her knowledge to her athletes at Valley Regional.
“I wanted to coach, because I love the kids, and I love the sport. There has been incredible support from the community and the district, as well as the Valley players and their parents,” Allyson says. “There is a lot of positive energy around Valley softball this year. We’re playing with a team-first mentality. The players are getting to practice early and staying after to work on things. They’re dedicated to being their best.”
One of Allyson’s focal points is for the Warriors to make plays in the infield without overthinking things. As a former shortstop, Allyson understands the value of knowing where the ball is supposed to go right off the crack of the bat.
“We’re working on getting all the infielders ready. We want them to understand, when the ball is hit to me, I know exactly what to do,” Allyson says. “They have to get comfortable with the positions, so they are confident in their decisions. You want it to be second nature. Errors happen, and they’re forgivable. But if we’re prepared, then we won’t make as many mental errors.”
Valley opened its season on a positive note by winning its first four games of the campaign. Allyson believes the Warriors’ solid start stems from the large number of talented athletes who are competing for her squad.
“Our numbers are up from last year. We have 22 kids,” says Allyson, an Essex resident. “Not only are we excited about the returning players, but we’re excited about the talented new players that are joining the team this year. Not just freshmen, but older players who hadn’t come out prior to this year.”
Allyson is fostering a positive atmosphere among the Warriors with the help of her assistant coaches, Tom Allen and Rick Ross. Allyson approaches coaching in a similar manner to the way she conducts class as a 6th-grade teacher at Deep River Elementary School. While Allyson wants to win, she knows that the process of getting there is equally important.
“I think something that really helps is that Tom, Rick, and I create a supportive environment. It sort of comes from my classroom and focusing on teachable moments, rather than focusing on errors,” Allyson says. “In terms of expectations, we expect the girls to work hard and do what it takes to achieve their goals. It’s not about runs, errors, or wins. It’s that the team is working together and focused on supporting each other through their successes and the challenges they face throughout the season.”
Athletic Director Jeff Swan is happy to have a familiar face like Allyson at the helm of Valley softball.
“Allyson is part of the coaching staff already. She offers a lot to our staff. She’s a teacher in district. She brings everything that she does in the classroom on the field,” says Swan. “The girls love her, because she teaches them with respect, and she makes sure they are doing what they need to do. I like her style. She’s willing to do whatever she can for the team.”
As she begins a new chapter at Valley Regional, Allyson says that she wouldn’t be in this position without the support from her coaches at East Windsor; her parents, David and Donna Pitney; and her fiancée Patrick Mulkern.
“I had a lot of great coaching influences. Head coach of track George Croft at East Windsor High School didn’t care what sport anyone played, but he wanted kids to get involved. That stuck with me,” says Allyson, who also thanks Geoff Konstan. “East Windsor basketball coach Bob Lengyel always balanced having fun and working hard. He supported us through brutal losses and celebrating any accomplishments. Also, recently retired softball coach Karen Drake was just an incredible coach. She taught me what I know about softball. She helped me understand testing your limits and pushing to reach your potential.”