Mark Olszak to join brother Tom in Trenton Softball Hall
When the Trenton Softball Hall of Fame holds its annual banquet on April 28, something is going to happen that has transpired only twice before.
Namely, when Mark Olszak is inducted it will mark the third time two brothers are in the hall’s Men’s Player Division.
Mark Olszak, of course, is the brother of Tom Olszak, who was inducted in 2006. Also in the hall are Rick (2009) and Jerry (2003) D’Angelo, and Mike (2016) and Gene (2011) Swanhart.
After first making a name for himself playing baseball at Hopewell Valley High, Mark Olszak gravitated to softball and went on to have a stellar career that lasted from 1987 through 2000.
A strong defensive outfielder and a clutch hitter with power, he played on numerous championships teams in the Lawrence American, Hopewell, Ewing B, Mercer County Fall, Mercer National and Hamilton National leagues.
Olszak particularly distinguished himself in Hamilton as a player for the ultra-successful Hibos and Gersh’s/Hibos team. He was a three-time Most Valuable Player for the Hibo teams and set singleseason club records for average (.771), singles (67), triples (11) and hits (74).
Among his Mercer National teams was Damiano Roofing, which won a championship with a 29-1 record. He won at least five titles with the Shop-Rite team of the Mercer Fall League and played with some outstanding Mercer American teams, including league champion R.J. Liquors.
Mark Olszak also enjoyed success in tournament play. He was on the Innovative Colors team that won a Trentonian Tournament Major E championship with a 9-1 record and played on a team that was a runner-up in a USSSA regional competition.
He batted high in the order in either the leadoff, second or third spot on most of his teams and usually played in the field in left or left center. He once opened some eyes by catching a fly ball with no glove.
The Men’s Player inductees this year are Doug LeJambre, Willie Allen and Olszak. The Player/Manager is Joe Marseglia and Tim Dolan was the player selected by the Veterans Committee. Richardson Realty is the inductee in the Sponsorship Division.
The banquet on April 28 will be held from 4 to 8 p.m at the Mercer Oaks Golf Course. Tickets cost $70 and can be purchased by calling Artie Kearns at 609-771-6143 or by getting in contact with John Adubato at either 609-273-4496 or john_adubato@ yahoo.com.