Coming off a 2009 season in which the Bloomfield College softball team went 33-15, expectations were high for the 2010 season. While the Deacons did lose All-CACC performer Vickie Berardi and star lefty pitcher Jackie Dean, BC’s recruiting class looked to more than make up for those losses. In the end though, 2010 was a season marked with injuries and inconsistencies as BC failed to live up to the expectations.
“It was a tough season, especially since we had consistently been at the top of the conference recently,” said head coach Rocco Constantino. “In a conference so strong, you can’t have the key injuries we had and expect to remain at the top. But we aren’t making excuses, we should have done better.”
Bloomfield finished with a 15-25 record and was 10-16 in CACC play. Despite struggling all year, the Deacons remained alive for the playoffs right down to the final game of the season. In a game that was a microcosm of the season, BC dropped a 1-0 decision to Wilmington in which Brianne Moore pitched a 1 hitter.
The Deacons bad luck started the first game of the season when Kira Wagar, the team’s leading hitter in 2009 and starting shortstop, was lost for the season with a separated shoulder. Based on BC’s projected starting lineup for the season, starters missed a total of 67 games due to injury this year. The Deacons did not play one game with their projected starting lineup intact this year. They also played the first 26 games of the season on the road after construction on their home field had to be delayed due to weather.
There were many highlights in the season however. The top 2 hitters on the team were Ashton Corley and Krystina Poloni, two freshmen who the Deacons hope to build their offense around along with fellow freshman Ashleigh Williams. Corley led BC in hitting with a .340 average, while Poloni was right behind at .336. Williams and Poloni tied for the team lead in homers with 3.
“Our freshmen adapted well and showed they can play consistently on this level,” said Constantino. “I was happy that they all did well in the classroom and they also did well on the field. They hit in clutch situations and they all worked hard. They have a bright future here.”
Also of note was the consistent performance by Moore at the plate and in the circle. Moore hit .330 this year with one homer and 15 RBI. Moore won 11 games in the circle for BC in 2010 and finished her career with 36 wins, which was the most for any pitcher during the Division II era for Bloomfield. Due to an injury to Williams and a transfer by Dean and another BC pitcher, Moore was left as the Deacons only starting pitcher for a portion of the season.
Junior shortstop Bianka Cosme also had a strong season for the Deacons. After Wagar’s injury on opening day, Cosme shifted to shortstop and did a tremendous job in the field and at the plate. Cosme recorded her 100th career hit late in the season and again came through in the clutch multiple times for Bloomfield. Cosme hit .305 in CACC play with a .430 slugging percentage.
In addition to Moore, Bloomfield will graduate 3 other seniors. Brittany DeVries hit .236 during her senior year in recording 25 hits. DeVries recorded her 100th career hit early in the season and played her usual stellar defense. Nicole Cagnino finished a fine career as a starting outfielder for the Deacons. Her biggest hit of the season was a 9th inning grand slam to beat Holy Family 9-5.
Sara Locke is the final BC senior. Locke started 35 games this season for the Deacons at 2nd base and did a fine job defensively after Cosme moved over to shortstop.
Bloomfield hopes to bounce back in 2011 as they return many key players from this year’s squad. In addition to Corley, Poloni, Williams and Cosme, the Deacons will return Amanda Bartels, Tiffany Muschio and Daliana Perez from their starting lineup. Bartels played most of 2010 through a hand injury and had trouble driving the ball. Bartels hit .265 with 1 home run after hitting .368 in a 2009 season that earned her Honorable Mention All-CACC honors.
Perez was a threat on the basepaths again in 2010, stealing 12 bases in 12 attempts. She had the most stolen bases without being caught in the conference this year. Perez also hit her first career home run this year, a solo shot in a 2-0 win over USP. Muschio started 24 games behind the plate for BC in 2010 and matured into the Deacons’ #1 catcher. Muschio threw out 4 baserunners attempting to steal this season.
Deana Dedovitch, Adriana Moreno and Angelica Paulino rounded out BC’s roster and proved to be valuable as pinch hitters and pinch runners.
The Deacons have already signed 3 recruits for next season to add to their returning cast. Angie Yoshizu (Kaneohe, Hawaii) is expected to come in as BC’s shortstop next season as a freshman and Kaila Dugger (Mesa, Arizona) should be a top pitcher and utility player for the Deacons. They will join Lindsey Ciresa, a pitcher/outfield transfer from the University of St. Louis who expects to take over as BC’s top pitcher next season.
“The way this season ended left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth. We have a great core of players coming back and I believe our recruiting class will make an immediate impact here. The recruits have played a very high level of softball throughout their lives and should do well here. I fully expect us to bounce back, but it will take a lot of hard work.” said Constantino.