The 1997 Lady Mustangs softball team went 31-0 on its way to capturing the program’s second state group title. From left in the back row, Tamara Tinajero, Lara Foster, Kim Alongi, Jamie Anzaldi, Candice D’Andrea, Danielle Brill, Jen Carlo, and Laura Tynio. From left in the middle row, Kim Anzaldi, Bobbi-Jo Gonnello, Coach Dianne Besser, Coach Rick LaDuke, Coach Tom Danko, Megan Dozci and Amanda Bongiorno. From left in the front row, Melissa Butler, Renee Anderson, Cara Boseski, Stacy Veech, Aimee Calise and Amanda Smith. Below, senior captains Veech and Boseski pose with the championship trophy. Nine years later, the two would begin coaching the Lady Mustangs.
The team went 29-1 in Besser’s senior season in ‘89, winning its first of 10 county tournaments. “She was our first state-quality pitcher,” LaDuke said of Besser. “Pitching is the key to softball and so we benefitted greatly once we had a feeder program with pitching.” Assistant Coach Goodwin established pitching schools that produced a number of Clifton starters. After Besser, came Dana DeVito, who LaDuke called the most dominant pitcher in the program’s history. In her junior year in ‘93, the Lady Mustangs reached the pinnacle of the New Jersey high school softball world by claiming their first Group 4 state title with a win over Washington Township. “We went through a bumpy road that year losing a couple girls during the season,” said LaDuke. “I made some decisions and kids didn’t like it so they dropped out.” The team was led by several seniors including pitcher Randi Meyers, infielders Danielle Fischer, Dawn Finer and Cara Kling and outfielder Andreanna Marrocco. Kling anchored the defense with her great play at third. “Seniors were the backbone of the program,” said LaDuke. “I put a lot of pressure on the seniors to carry 8
July 2007 • Clifton Merchant
themselves that way so the younger kids could see how to act. The kids gave a lot more to each other than I could give to them.” Juniors Dana Jeannetti, an All-American at second, Carolyne Ruffilo in the outfield and Jennifer Paci behind the plate were also a large part of the team’s success.