SPRING SPORTS At press time, our spring sports teams approached playoffs; our coverage includes regular season play. We added extra highlights for our spring teams, sidelined last year due to the pandemic.
BASEBALL
For the first time in school history, GSB earned the #1-seed in the Non-Public B North Sectional Tournament. Seniors Joe Skapinetz (Lafayette College), Matt Kalinak (Clark University), and Jake Sempervive (Rochester Institute of Technology) led the Knights to prolific heights, and each will play college ball. Matt is the team’s leadoff hitter, Jake bats second, Joe hits fourth, and the three will likely combine for over 100 hits this season to pace an offense that scores over nine runs per game. They proved themselves on the mound and in the field, demonstrating a versatility that established them as three of the most accomplished players in Somerset County. During the season, our Knights won eight of the first ten games, including an impressive opening day shutout of state power St. Peter’s Prep, as well as victories over local rivals Bernards, Ridge, and Rutgers Prep. After a brief three-game slide, the boys rebounded with five consecutive wins over a six-day span that included dramatic one-run triumphs over Pingry and division-leading Voorhees. Even with a tougher schedule, our Knights reached the NJSIAA Sectional Finals in three of the last four years and hope to take it further in the 2021 state tournament.
SOFTBALL
With one of its best seasons in recent history, GSB softball earned a 16-2 record as it entered the season’s home stretch. Our Knights are ranked #5 in the Courier News’ Top 10, #9 for Non-Public NJ schools, and #2 seeded for playoffs in Parochial B South. Senior leaders, on and off the field, include Claire Brouillard ’21, Ellen Besjak ’21, Maddie Ricciardulli ’21, Erin Barno ’21, Rachel McQueen ’21, and Emilia Tobey ’21, who all performed their best. Congratulations to Claire for picking up her 300th career strike in GSB softball’s 10-0 win over Voorhees. Juniors Scooter Hulsen ’22 and Phobe Kirsh ’22 proved strong behind the plate, while Stephanie Vasquez ’22 gave outfield depth. Sophomores Vanessa Mavraj ’23 and Jess Cooper ’23 contributed power and strong defense, while newcomers Brooke Baisley ’24 and Julianna Perri ’24 played like veterans, adding speed and athleticism.
GOLF
GSB welcomed Keith James as its new coach, and his philosophy proved in-line with our core values. “I want my players to understand that their commitment and attitude toward playing golf should be synonymous with the finest aspects of the game, namely integrity, honor, and respect,” he said. “I also strongly encourage my players to embrace teamwork in this often individual sport.” A special shout-out to Anuj Puri ’21 for his hole-in-one, a 132-yard Par 3 on hole #4 at Beaver Brook Country Club against North Hunterdon on April 22. The boys’ squad won its first ever Somerset County Championship on April 26. Lance Hollingshead ’24 finished first overall, shooting a 71, and his brother Graeme ’21 took third with a 75. Sophie Chang ’21 finished second among the girls shooting a 74. Next year, Graeme will play golf at Gettysburg College and Sophie will compete at Lehigh. At the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions on May 18 and 19, Lance finished first in the Non-Public B Division and third overall in the state, shooting a 2-under-par 68.
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