By Josh Lashley
Just for the record, the Roxbury High School softball program earned several victories from the season which recently ended, double digits in wins total (13 to be exact). It also tallied a 6-2 mark in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference National Division which made them co-champions along with Randolph.
Beyond all of that, the Gaels advanced to the NJSIAA North 1 Group 3 Sectional Tournament where it defeated Old Tappan. That’s an impressive season for which everyone involved with the Roxbury squad should take pride.
In fact, one of the Gaels most memorable performances occurred in a game that it lost and that’s because of the way it competed with pride, determination and a never say die attitude.
“This may seem odd, but our loss to Mt. Olive (12-10 onMay 3),’’ Roxbury head coach Diane Naugle-Douglas said, “that game was a turning point for our team. It was not our best day defensively, but we learned a lot about the team’s resiliency and willingness to fight until our last out. It also helped us turn the page defensively and bring our game to the level we were capable of.’’
A number of student-athletes on the Gaels’ roster took on the all important role of leader this spring.
“The great thing about coaching an experienced team like this one is that
leadership is provided by everyone at different points of the season,’’ Naugle- Douglas said. “There is not a single player that we did not rely on at different points of the season.’’
This season was an enjoyable experience, not just for the Roxbury players, but for the coaches as well.
“I love to coach this team,’’ Naugle-Douglas said. “They challenged themselves and each other each day to be better. They had fun while they played, and never were satisfied.’’