Lawrence comes into tourney with confidence

When the Lawrence Softball AllStars step on the field Thursday night for their District 12 opener against West Windsor, they won’t lack for confidence.

That’s something manager Vicky Martinez has noticed in practice.

“They have a graceful confidence,” she said. “I’m excited to see them put it together. They’re understanding the game at a much deeper level in terms of situation and the interplay of pitching and how important that is in different situations.”

As soon as this group assembled for practice, Martinez could tell, while young, these girls had something together.

“I think they’re a really unified, fun, energetic group of girls,” she said. “They love softball and they have just come into their own as players both individually and as a collective. It’s exciting.”

Of course for it translate in competition that means playing solid defense in addition to hitting and pitching.

And hitting this group can do. “A few have been doing it all season and a few their bats have just come alive,” Martinez said. “It’s that confidence that newer for some of them. It’s exciting to watch them understand how they control the momentum and can’t wait. They have the ability.”

For a young group, this experience can also pay off down the road.

“We’re really young,” Martinez said. “We’ll be back for the tournament next year. We only lose three next year so nine out of our roster of 12 will be back. That’s exciting.”