2006 Scotch Plains Softball

Scotch Plains Fanwood Girls Softball Coach Kelli Covert doesn’t want to get too giddy over her teams’ 7-0 start because she realizes that championships are not won in early April. With eight returning veterans from a 16-10 season, she figured her team would start quickly anyway and the Raiders have been as good as advertised.

“I am not surprised as much as nervous. I don’t want the girls to get over confident, but I want them to realize what we have in our team. I knew we were going to do well, but you still never know what will happen,” said Covert.

Nevertheless the third year Raider mentor has seen traits and characteristics usually possessed by teams that play deep into the state and county tournaments.

The Raiders have strength up the middle, play airtight defense and can manufacture runs by using their speed and bunting skills.

Senior pitcher Elaine Piniat, a tri-captain, and her battery mate junior catcher Lauren Mains give Covert a great combination that provide on field coaching.

“Elaine is amazing. She simply loves the sport! I have never seen anyone work so hard and enjoy every minute of it,” said Covert.

“Lauren is a great catcher. I don’t worry about anything getting through. She has been calling the pitches with Elaine, and between the two of them they have been calling great games,” added Covert.

Last year Piniat finished with a 12-8 record and a 1.04 Earned Run Average with 122 strikeouts. Piniat does not have the gaudy totals of some of the other top high school pitchers but she issues few bases on balls and allows her strong defense to make plays behind her. Piniat went 28 innings this year before yielding an earned run.

Shortstop Melissa Sette, another tri-captain, is a strong number two batter in the Raiders’ potent lineup. Sette is almost impossible to strikeout, but it is her defense that wins raves from teammates and opponents. . Sette uses great lateral movement to get to almost anything hit to her side of the field.

“Very few balls get past her. When she gets the ball she is quick to get rid of it. She has a quick throw to second or first. If she gets the ball we have a pretty good chance of turning a double play,” said Covert.

Sette has helped first year starter, sophomore Stephanie Goines move into the second base slot where she has fit into the team with her aggressiveness.

“Steph is doing an outstanding job,” said Covert.

“She also pitches, but we need her more in the field right now.”

Completing the Raiders’ up the middle defensive brilliance is senior centerfielder Kelli Kaskiw, the third tri-captain.

“She is one of the best centerfielders I have ever seen,” said Covert.

“She will do whatever it takes every time to get to a ball. The few times she has not made the catch she has gotten to it quickly, and has made the out at a base.”

Kaskiw bats third in the lineup where she uses her unique combination of speed and power. She currently leads the team with a .462 average.

Senior Lauren Benovengo, a first baseman last year, has successfully made the switch to right field and sees a new confidence this year.

“This year everything is clicking. Everyone seems to be in the right position,” said Benovengo who added that an early season victory over perennial power Cranford was “good for the teams’ confidence”.

Benovengo, a starter for the basketball team the past two years, moved from first base, where she started last year to make room for junior Jillian Lusk.

Lusk and sophomore third baseman Nicole Colineri give the Raiders solid offense and defense at the corner infield positions.

“They are fast and are not afraid to dive for a ball. Both Jillian and Nicole are very determined and have a fire to play. Nicole is very fast and I do like to run her as much as possible,” said Covert.

After going to 7-0 with a 6-0 victory over Elizabeth, Monday, the Raiders enter a busy and difficult period today with a game against Roselle Catholic. Tomorrow they will face Montclair and Nutley at the Linden Classic. Montclair handed the Raiders a loss in a mid March scrimmage and Covert noted the players are looking for revenge even though the first game didn’t count.

As the wins continue to accumulate, Covert notes a sense of urgency among her seniors.
“This is our year to make something happen. These are great girls; I want them to get what they deserve. If they work hard, it will pay off.