Photo by Jack Armstrong ’15

By Joey Lavoie ‘14

Seniors Kasey Rosen, Lisa Intoccia, Addie Armbruster, Rae Harrison and Meggie Dejter garnered attention as freshmen when they were each photographed and individually quoted in the school yearbook after they made varsity softball. The team is now made up of the latter three, who look to play huge roles in the 2014 campaign. Two state championships later, these Warriors are looking for the perfect ending to their careers, which began with them learning from older and more experienced players.

Being the youngest player on a team usually means one has a lot to prove. The case was no different with this team, where the girls felt like they needed to earn everything. “When I first made the team I was really excited to play with and learn from all the older girls,” said Intoccia. “Playing with girls who had been playing at such a competitive level for so long really pushed us younger girls to keep up and prove we were good enough to earn a starting spot on varsity.”

Rosen stopped playing softball after her sophomore year, after capturing the first of now two state championships. Already with two years of JV volleyball under her belt, she decided she would play club and coed volleyball in addition to her duties as part of the varsity girls’ volleyball team for her final two years at Sherwood.

“After playing softball for so long, I really wanted to try to find something new, and that’s when I discovered volleyball,” said Rosen. “Volleyball was just something new and it started to grow on me.”

Intoccia stopped playing softball also, after it had long played a large role in her life. She injured her back going into junior year which made the decision to leave the team a little easier. The injury also forced her to end her volleyball career after discovering the sport the same way Rosen did after entering Sherwood.

Armbruster looks to continue to control the outfield after three years of playing under long time coach Pat Flanagan. Last season she started in left field, but will look to move around more this season with new coach Ashley Barber-Strunk at the helm. Armbruster was a part of an Olney Cougars travel softball team with several current players including seniors Dejter, Marybeth Bidwick, Rachel Ames and juniors Julie Swarr and Nicole Stockinger.

“Since we’ve played together for so long we’re extremely comfortable around each other and we really mesh well as a team,” said Armbruster. “In more of a game sense we know everyone’s habits and strengths so we know how to motivate each other and know their abilities.”

Harrison has a very different view of the field, playing catcher and having the role as field captain from behind the plate. After playing behind the plate with Class of 2012 graduate Kristen Holonich her freshman year, Harrison took over the starting role and never looked back. In her two years behind the plate, she has primarily caught for two players, Kailyn Cohen (’13) and Dejter. This experience has allowed for her to grow very familiar with her pitchers, both as fellow teammates and friends.

“Catching for Meggie and Kailyn over the years since we started softball has helped,” said Harrison. “They’re both talented pitchers and batters have trouble catching up to them. Meg and I like to go through every pitch and talk about where we want it to go and when to throw it which we say helps us get in sync for games.”

Dejter is going to continue to play a key role on the mound after committing to play Division I college softball at Towson University. Dejter will have a lot pressure on her shoulders to perform for the now two-time undefeated Warriors, after having one of the most incredible seasons in Sherwood history.

“Playing all four years with Rae as my catcher has been great; these first three years we’ve really gotten comfortable together because we’ve been through all the big games and even the bad games,” said Dejter. “We have that experience that’s been building up these past four years which is good because now we know kind of what to expect.”