Holmdel

Mar 14, 2023

Holmdel Softball Positioned to Establish Positive Trend

By Les Pierce

Jadeyn Pavlik

The Holmdel High School girls’ softball squad posted a 10-9 record last year. It was only their second winning season since 2013. The last time the program put together back-to-back over .500 records came in the 2011 and 2012 campaigns. The Hornets are positioned to string together consecutive winning seasons, and they have the personnel to get it done.

Last year, the roster was loaded with freshmen and sophomores. The team emerged reasonably unscathed by graduation and several impactful players are returning.

Rachel Quirk (Jr. IF/OF) led the team at the plate with a .410 average. She belted four triples and a double among her 16 hits.

Gabby Kaffl (Jr. IF/OF) posted a .394 average, hit one double and one triple, and was credited with three stolen bases.  

One thing lacking is power hitting. Quirk and Kaffl are the only players who notched a three-bagger, and the Hornets failed to launch a single homerun in 2022.

Completing the batting order are Emma Mioduzewski (Jr. IF/OF) .308, Avery Lewandowski (So. P/OF) .293, Jadeyn Pavlik (Jr. P) .286, Haley Dulow (So. C) .275 and Emma Forsyth (So. IF/OF) .250. 

Pavlik has logged the most mound time, getting in 43 innings of work. She recorded 20 strikeouts and a 6.84 ERA.

Kasey Lau (So. P) struck out 17 over 31 innings and achieved an ERA of .542. Her best outing was a three-inning relief appearance against Monmouth Regional in which she fanned eight batters.  

Avery Lewandowski made her pitching debut as a freshman on April 12. She struck out 12 batters over eight innings, and allowed just three hits and one earned run. The effort enabled the team to clinch an extra innings victory over Shore Regional.  

Holmdel faced powerhouse Red Bank Catholic the following day. It proved to be the most exciting contest of the season as highly favored RBC barely escaped with a 2-0 victory. Lewandowski struck out seven and allowed just three hits going up against a stacked Casey lineup. She finished the season with 35 strikeouts over 35 innings and a 2.40 ERA.  

Holmdel will host Raritan on Monday, April 3 to kick off their 2023 campaign.