Sparta HS softball looks to successful season

By Josh Lashley
SPARTA — So what if the skies aren’t always clear and sometimes it’s colder or much colder outside than one might hope, be assured that spring is in the air-and that means that spring time outdoor athletics such as softball are in full swing, so to speak.
We may be only a few games into the regular season, but local high school teams are already jockeying for position in order to finish as best as possible in their Division and hopefully qualify for the NJSIAA Sectional Tournaments.
The Sparta High School softball program seems to have the experience, talent and depth needed to be of stern competition to each and every opponent that they face this year. After finishing with an overall record of 14-8 and advancing to the NJSIAA North 1 Group 3 Sectional Tournament quarterfinal round in 2017, the Spartans appear well prepared to be a force once again this spring.
Sparta lost a one run quarterfinal game to eventual North 1 Group 3 Sectional champion Old Tappan last spring.
Key returning student-athletes for the Spartans include Olivia Bouma-Hannam (sophomore, outfield and short stop), Justyne D’Ascoli (junior, short stop), Izzy DeFilippis (senior, second base), Jessica Esso (senior, catcher and utility player), Kate Esso (sophomore, third base), Tatiana Esteva-Ingram (senior, catcher and outfield), Carolyn Jacobs (senior, first base), Erin Scott (senior, center field) and Paige Smith (senior, pitcher).
Promising newcomers to the varsity roster for Sparta include Delaney Forziati (sophomore, utility player), Stephanie Villar (sophomore, utility player) and Emily Jacobs (freshman, utility player).
“Our co-captains, Erin Scott and Paige Smith, are three sport participants [and will be looked upon as leaders for the team],’’ Sparta head coach Richard Poots said. “They have are excellent role models both on and off the playing field and court. [They are] well respected by their teammates, opponents, officials, fellow classmates and teachers and administrators.’’
The Spartans are a part of the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) American Division along with Morris Hills, Jefferson, Pope John and Mount Olive.
“[We are a] contender, the toughest teams will be Jefferson and Mount Olive,’’ Poots said.
Sparta has a road game scheduled at Jefferson on April 24.
“[We want our student-athletes to] play to their highest ability level as a team,’’ Poots said. “If they do, our success will be awesome. We are returning nine varsity experienced players, which includes six seniors and a pitcher with three years experience as a starter.’’