Sometimes in life you have to accept the cards that are dealt and acknowledge what life hands you, no matter how much it may hurt, how much you may struggle, or how long you are forced to endure the hardships of a situation you may have no control over . Overcoming adversity is the key to success and for The College of New Jersey's softball team, it has been their triumph over adversity that has led them to their distinguishable performance on the field.
After injury sustained at the Moravian College game, junior pitcher
Lauren Fitzsimmons (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) was forced to sit on the sidelines and watch as her teammates battled through the competition. And battle they did –with the help of two freshman pitchers, who under the encouragement and advisement of both Fitzsimmons and TCNJ softball coaches, have seen tremendous success at the start of their young rookie careers.
Fitzsimmons started off the season pitching a no hitter in the College's opening game against Elizabethtown and proved to be a vital asset to the team, pitching a total of 38.1 innings before being injured. She has continually established herself as a leader both on the field and off the field, which is why filling that void was to be such a hard feat.
But in Fitzsimmons absence, freshmen
Alex Carisone (Branchburg, NJ/Rutgers Prep) and
Austin Leigh (Fairfield, NJ/West Essex) have flourished, even under the limelight of filling such big shoes.
“It has made me and the other freshman step up more as pitchers,” said Carisone on Fitzsimmons' absence, “We have a lot more responsibility now that Lauren is not around.”
In games against Rutgers-Newark and Rutgers-Camden, Carisone fired a pair of one hitters, and earlier in the season was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Rookie Pitcher of the Week. Carisone leads the team with six victories and continues to improve each game.
Yet, even in her absence, Fitzsimmons has assisted the two freshmen in their preparation for games by utilizing her experience and knowledge of the game in order to give the young athletes advice and pointers on adjusting to college softball. She is continually at every practice and every game, in addition to doing everything she can to help her injury and eventually get back in the game.
“Lauren has been a really big help and a really big voice,” said Carisone on Fitzsimmons' aid.
Leigh has also had tremendous success on the mound, earning a complete-game win over Haverford College last week. In her four appearances this season, she has earned wins in three of them.
The Lions are currently 18-7 on the season and are 4-3 in conference play.
As TCNJ heads into its final few regular games of the season, they have high hopes of becoming NJAC champions, and thus earning an automatic bid to the 2011 NCAA Tournament. Fitzsimmons alone yearns to get back in the game and help her team in their quest for a NJAC title and tournament bid as the two freshmen gain valuable experience, while giving the Lions the depth on the mound to make a tournament run.
The Lions continue that quest this weekend heading to Richard Stockton College for a single game on Friday, April 15 and then return home for a conference doubleheader versus Kean University on Saturday.
