Defending softball champ Secaucus looks totally different

Secaucus junior pitcher Sydney Ianuale

Secaucus senior infielder Caroline Andriani

Defending Hudson County softball champ Secaucus looks to reload again

The 2019 high school softball season represented as a lot of firsts for Secaucus head coach Cory Roesing.

For one, it was the first year that Roesing, one of the most celebrated athletes in the history of the school, got to be a head coach. And for another, Roesing got to work on the same coaching staff with her younger sister Danielle, who in her own right was an incredible athlete as well during her days at Secaucus.

So the Roesing sisters were together, taking over the Patriots’ program, hoping for a successful initial campaign.

It sure was – as the Patriots, the No. 7 seed in the tournament, stormed back to capture the county crown. Not bad for a rookie head coach. What does Roesing do for an encore? She never once worried herself with her public perception as either a high school or college (Caldwell University) athlete.

Now, as Roesing is set to begin her second campaign as the head coach at her alma mater, coaching with her little sister by her side, all of Hudson County -- and the nation for that matter – has come to a complete halt. Once again, Roesing is facing an adversity as a head coach.

“It really doesn’t change how we approach the season,” Roesing said. “Our goals are always the same. We want to win the county and win the states. We told the girls that nothing is going to be handed to them. They have to work very hard every day for it.”

But there is one problem. The Patriots graduated most of the team that finished 16-9 last year, but came away with the county’s top honors by defeating Kearny, Union City, Weehawken and finally Bayonne in the title game by a 5-4 final score.

“We graduated eight of our nine starters,” Roesing said. “We have only two returning players and neither is playing the position she played last year.”

Three of the graduated players, namely Gianna Zena, Gabby Samarelli and Alyssa Perez, earned All-Hudson County honors, with Perez being named Hudson County Most Valuable Player. Those are crushing losses to the Patriots.

But Roesing is not overly worried.

“We have a strong young group,” Roesing said. “And our leaders are great leaders. I have no doubt in any of them.”

Leading the way is junior pitcher Sydney Ianuale, who was the backup to All-County pitcher Jessie Gohde last season.

“Sydney has some experience,” Roesing said of Ianuale.

In a total oddity, the Patriots’ other pitcher is also named Sydney – namely senior Sydney Fourier.

“I’m really confident in both of them,” Roesing said.

The team’s catcher is junior Grace Angulo, who was the team’s designated hitter last year.

“She’s so solid,” Roesing said. “She’s a great leader. She’s very vocal with the girls. She has a lot of poise at the plate.”

The first baseman is freshman Taylor Hartung, who is the daughter of former Secaucus All-County player Mike Hartung, who played a few years of professional baseball, ending his career with the New Jersey Jackals.

“She’s a solid pitcher as well if we need her,” Roesing said. “She actually can go anywhere we need her, but she’s playing first base for now.”

The second baseman is senior Caroline Andriani, who started in right field last year for the Patriots.

“She’s a solid infielder and a solid leader,” Roesing said.

The shortstop is freshman Daniela Pischetti, the younger sister of Julia, who had a great soccer career at Iona College.

“She’s very quick on her feet,” Roesing said. “She has a great arm. She has the instincts that you just can’t coach.”

The third base position is being shared by two sophomores in Nurisha Ferati and Kaitlyn Fernandez.

The outfield is led by senior Skylar Eccles, who Roesing considers “a great leader with experience.” Junior Marietta Angulo, the twin sister of catcher Grace, is in the outfield mix. Junior Brianna Guzman, junior Gianna Pischetti and senior Jazmin Bujari, who came out for softball for the first time since she was a freshman, will all see time in the outfield.

Look out for freshman Emily Fearon, who will eventually play somewhere. Fearon is too good of a hitter to leave out of the regular lineup.

“She’s our wild card,” Roesing said of Fearon. “She can go anywhere.”

Roesing said that the Patriots were just hitting a regular stride when the entire year has been put on hold.

“It’s been very tough,” Roesing said. “I feel bad for the seniors. I also feel bad for the freshmen. I had a talk with them all and told them about things to work on while we’re out. I know they were working hard before we went out, even for a little workout, they went hard. We’re going to try to make the season a memorable one for the seniors and stay as positive as possible.”

The Patriots will contend in the NJIC-Liberty Division and will be in the hunt for the North Jersey Section 2, Group II sectional title as well. -- Jim Hague