Rare sub-par record not indicative of past years

It was unusual territory for the St. Mary’s softball team.

The Gaels had usually ended its season far above .500 and far advanced in the state tournament.

But this season with a young team and an injured pitcher, the Gaels struggled to a 13-14 mark and a first round exit from the Non-Public North B state sectional as they fell 3-2 to Dwight-Englewood.

"Overall our season was a disappointment," said St. Mary’s head coach Jon Galka.

And inconsistency was the key word for St. Mary’s this season. "We were just too inconsistent," said Galka. "When we were hitting, we did not play good defense. And when we played good defense, we did not hit the ball."

Despite the early exit and the below .500 mark, St. Mary’s added a few honors this season. Senior Jessica Gomez, senior Judi Mulrain and junior Stephanie Spanarkel were named to the first team All BCSL National. Mulrain was named to the All Bergen County second team while Spanarkel was pegged for the All Bergen County third team.

In addition senior Casey Lucente was named to the honorable mention all league team.

For Gomez it was a tough year in the circle as she started out hurt and was hampered by it for the entire year. In the circle she was 9-14 with an ERA of 2.56 and 144 strikeouts. The senior hurler though was the team’s best hitter with a .455 batting average with 40 hits, 16 runs, seven doubles, three triples and one home run. She also brought home 23 runs.

"In no shape or form was her ERA indicative of her performance," said Galka. "She was gutting out all year long. She knew that she was hurt but she kept asking for the ball."

In Mulrain eyes were opened as this was the first year that she played behind the dish. Last season, the senior was the third baseman. After the season, Galka sat down with Mulrain to tell her that she would be the catcher this season.

Not only did Mulrain excel at catcher with a .974 fielding percentage, she also compiled big numbers with the bat including a .443 batting average, 10 doubles, four triples, one home run, 33 runs and 14 RBI. "It was well deserved," said Galka who added that Mulrain only played a couple of games at catcher before this season. Mulrain is looking to possibly play softball at St. Joseph’s of Philadelphia. "She’s a dedicated kid. She just threw herself into it."

One of the most improved players on the Lady Gaels this season was Spanarkel with a .300 batting average, a home run, 14 runs, 14 RBI with only two errors on the season and stealing seven bases. "I think it was a little bit of a surprise," said Galka about Spanarkel. "Last year it was sort of a learning curve for her. She consistently put the ball in play."

Galka pointed out that Spanarkel started out the season near the bottom of the order and worked her way up the cleanup spot.

Despite the under .500 record, the St. Mary’s season was indicative of its season just by looking at some of the losses to some of the best teams in the state including Clifton, who would end up winning the Group 4 title. The Gaels lost to the mighty Mustangs 1-0 in 10 innings. In addition the Lady Gaels lost to Mt. St. Dominic’s, 8-5. Mt. St. Dominic’s made it to the Non-Public A state championship. Down 8-0 at one point, St. Mary’s came all the way back to put the team in position to win only to fall short.