St. Thomas Aquinas softball team’s season another for record books

Although the season for the softball team at St. Thomas Aquinas School, Edison, did not end with the most valuable prize – a state championship ring – it was filled with record-setting performances and achievements.

And, because the team fielded only two seniors, the season could be considered an astounding success by any measure.

Before losing to No. 2-ranked St. John Vianney High 3-0 in the NJSIAA South, Non-Public A sectional final, June 2, the No. 7-ranked Trojans’ season was highlighted by, according to coach Missy Collazzo:

• A 23-4 overall record, 12-0 in the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC), Red Division

• 60 consecutive GMC wins in last 60 games vs. conference opponents

• Fifth consecutive GMC title (10 total, most in softball by any school)

• Third consecutive state sectional finals appearance

• 10 consecutive shutout victories

• Senior infielder Mary-Kate Murray posted team highs in batting average (.464) and runs batted in (36). She finished her career with a school record 115 RBI; set a school record for most home runs (14 this season) and career (35 in three seasons)

• Junior pitcher Hayley Wieczerzak finished with a 21-3 record in 144 innings of work; a 0.97 earned run average; a school record 307 strikeouts in a season (62 walks), and holds the school record for career strikeouts with 609.

The Trojans reached the sectional finals by defeating Red Bank Catholic 3-0 in the quarterfinals and No. 1-ranked Donovan Catholic 8-2 in the semifinals. Against St. John Vianney, the Trojans had the bases loaded twice. “We did not get the big hit when we needed it,” Collazzo said.

A 1-0 defeat to Morris Catholic early in the season was the only other game in which the Trojans were blanked. Two of its four losses were by one run.

Collazzo, a physical education teacher at St. Thoms Aquinas, has guided the softball team for 15 seasons. Her teams have won 281 games and lost 79 in that time. In her first season, the Trojans won the NJSIAA South, Non-Public A title, the third overall for the school.

Each year, the players have high expectations, even one as young as this season because most got a lot of playing time last season.

“They played with a lot of heart and emotion and intensity,” she said. “They were self-motivated – playing all summer, hitting lessons, ravel teams…They are always trying to make themselves better.”

And, despite the numerous championships and achievements her teams have recorded, Collazzo said coaching never becomes routine.

“I really like to watch the girls play the game they love so much, grow together as a team, skill wise, individually, and over the course of the four years [careers], grow up. Many come back to visit.”