2014 Jersey Shore Carpenter Cup Softball Team
The Players
Tracey Brereton
Uniform #: 42
Tracey Brereton
Hometown: Matawan
High School: Matawan
Nickname: “Tree” or “Tray”
Grade: 10
Age: 15
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Position(s): Catcher, first base, outfield
Possible career interest(s): Coach
Favorite college team: University of North Carolina
Favorite college player: Taylor Edwards (Nebraska)
Favorite movie(s): She’s the Man, The Benchwarmers
Favorite book(s): The Fault in Our Stars
Favorite music artist(s): Taylor Swift, Hunter Hayes, Luke Bryan
What are your hobbies? Watching and playing softball and basketball
Why do you love to play softball? “I love to play softball because I love to compete and do what I enjoy, which is putting everything I have behind the plate or up to bat to help my team win. Ever since I was little, I loved the game and that love continues today.”
Helena Coppola
Uniform #: 4
Hometown: Lincroft
Helena Coppola
High School: St. John Vianney
Nickname: “H”
Grade: 10
Age: 16
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Position(s): Left field, right field
Possible career interest(s): Business
Favorite college team: University of Tennessee
Favorite college player: Jackie Traina (Alabama)
Favorite movie(s): The Great Gatsby
Favorite book(s): The Fault in Our Stars
Favorite music artist(s): Luke Bryan, Iggy
What are your hobbies? Softball, hanging out with friend, going to the beach
Why do you love to play softball? “I love playing with my teammates and it’s always fun to be on the field.”
Hadassah Curry
Uniform #: 77
Hometown: Matawan
Hadassah Curry
High School: Matawan
Nickname: “Das”
Grade: 10
Age: 16
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Position(s): Third base, first base
Possible career interest(s): Media entertainment, sports management
Favorite college team(s): University of Georgia, University of Florida, University of Louisiana-Lafayette
Favorite college player (s): Alex Hugo (Georgia), Hannah Rogers (Florida), Victoria Hayward (Connecticut), Christina Hamilton (Louisiana-Lafayette)
Favorite movie(s): Coming America, Back to the Future
Favorite book(s): The Time Machine, Beowulf
Favorite music artist(s): John Mayer, Lecrae, Kirk Franklin, All American Rejects
What are your hobbies? Play the guitar, watch college softball, film in-school/after-school sports
Why do you love to play softball? “I’m very passionate about the sport. I love the atmosphere, the game and the opportunities to play it. I love to hit, and I’m quite determined to hit off the pitchers I face. I also love the aggressiveness of the game.”
Julia DiGiorgio
Uniform #: 1
Hometown: Atlantic Highlands
Julia DiGiorgio
High School: Henry Hudson
Nickname: “Ju”
Grade: 11
Age: 17
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Position(s): Third base, shortstop
Possible career interest(s): Social work
Favorite college team: University of Oklahoma
Favorite college player: Lauren Chamberlain (Oklahoma)
Favorite movie(s): A Walk to Remember
Favorite book(s): The Fault in Our Stars
Favorite music artist(s): Anything Country
What are your hobbies? Playing softball and field hockey
Why do you love to play softball? “I grew up playing softball as a child, and it was something I always looked forward to doing.”
Paige Eckert
Uniform #: 24
Hometown: Howell
Paige Eckert
High School: Howell
Nickname: “Paigey”
Grade: 10
Age: 15
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Position(s): Second base, third base
Possible career interest(s): Teacher
Favorite college team: University of Alabama
Favorite college player: Jackie Traina (Alabama)
Favorite movie(s): Kicking and Screaming
Favorite book(s): The Fault in Our Stars
Favorite music artist(s): Bruno Mars
What are your hobbies? Longboarding
Why do you love to play softball? “I get to be and play with my friends.”
Annie Flego
Uniform #: 8
Hometown: Little Silver
Annie Flego
High School: Red Bank Catholic
Nickname: “Chop”
Grade: 10
Age: 16
Bats: Both
Throws: Right
Position(s): Outfield, middle infield
Possible career interest(s): Sports broadcasting
Favorite college team: University of Alabama
Favorite college player: Marie Flego (Providence)
Favorite movie(s): Harry Potter
Favorite book(s): Harry Potter
Favorite music artist(s): Luke Bryan
What are your hobbies? Playing and watching any sports, mostly hockey and baseball
Why do you love to play softball? “Everyone in my family always played softball and baseball, and I always went to all my sister’s games. So, I always knew it was something I wanted to do.”
Stephanie Healy
Uniform #: 21
Hometown: Tuckerton
Stephanie Healy
High School: Pinelands
Nickname: “Heals”
Grade: 11
Age: 17
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Position(s): Catcher, third base
Favorite college team: University of Alabama
Favorite movie(s): 22 Jump Street
Favorite book(s): The Fault in Our Stars
Favorite music artist(s): Drake
What are your hobbies? Hanging out with friends, going to the beach
Why do you love to play softball? “It’s fun and I’m good at it.”
Jessica McDonaugh
Uniform #: 2
Hometown: Brick
Jessica McDonaugh
High School: Brick Township
Nickname: “Jess”
Grade: 11
Age: 17
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Position(s): First base, outfield
Possible career interest(s): Education
Favorite college team: Florida State University
Favorite college player: Jackie Traina (Alabama)
Favorite movie(s): 21 Jump Street
Favorite book(s): At First Sight
Favorite music artist(s): Eminem
What are your hobbies? Playing softball
Why do you love to play softball? “It’s fun.”
Kelcy McGeehan
Uniform #: 11
Hometown: Bayville
Kelcy McGeehan
High School: Monsignor Donovan
Nickname: “K” or “Kel”
Grade: 11
Age: 17
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Position(s): Shortstop, second base, outfield
Possible career interest(s): Psychological therapist
Favorite college team: Florida State University
Favorite college player: Lauren Chamberlain (Oklahoma)
Favorite movie(s): Harry Potter
Favorite book(s): Harry Potter
Favorite music artist(s): Luke Bryan, Rascal Flatts, anything Country
What are your hobbies? Playing basketball
Why do you love to play softball? “It’s fun and I met my best friend through it.”
Madelyn McMahon
Uniform #: 12
Hometown: Middletown
Madelyn McMahon
High School: Middletown South
Nickname: “Maddie”
Grade: 10
Age: 16
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Position(s): Pitcher
Possible career interest(s): Undecided
Favorite college team: Florida State University
Favorite college player: Jackie Traina (Alabama)
Favorite movie(s): Pitch Perfect
Favorite book(s): The Hunger Games
Favorite music artist(s): Luke Bryan
What are your hobbies? Playing softball and field hockey
Why do you love to play softball? “It’s a great game and it never fails to put me in a good mood.”
Taylor Mennie
Uniform #: 7
Hometown: Howell
Taylor Mennie
High School: Howell
Nickname: “T-Money” or “Turbo”
Grade: 11
Age: 17
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Position(s): Center field, outfield
Possible career interest(s): Finance, sports marketing
Favorite college team: University of Florida
Favorite college player: Kaila Hunt (Alabama)
Favorite movie(s): The Sandlot, 21 Jump Street, Fast and Furious, Transformers
Favorite book(s): The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Favorite music artist(s): Drake, Luke Bryan, Toby Keith, Iggy
What are your hobbies? Fishing, driving/off-roading, working out
Why do you love to play softball? “I love it because of the friends I’ve made through playing the sport.”
Shakyra Moore
Uniform #: 22
Hometown: Brielle
Shakyra Moore
High School: Manasquan
Nickname: “Shaq”
Grade: 10
Age: 16
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Position(s): Third base
Possible career interest(s): Pre-K teacher
Favorite college team: University of Florida
Favorite college player: Lauren Chamberlain (Oklahoma)
Favorite movie(s): Haunted House, Bad Grandpa
Favorite book(s): Heaven is for Real, Waking Up in Heaven
Favorite music artist(s): Iggy, Katy Perry, Paramore
What are your hobbies? Playing softball, eating
Why do you love to play softball? “I love playing because of all the friends I’ve made through the sport.”
Stephanie Pepper
Uniform #: 15
Hometown: Seaside Heights
Stephanie Pepper
High School: Central
Nickname: “Pep” or “Pepper”
Grade: 11
Age: 17
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Position(s): Pitcher, first base, outfield
Possible career interest(s): Business, politics
Favorite college team: Florida State University
Favorite college player: Lacey Waldrop (Florida State)
Favorite movie(s): Harry Potter
Favorite book(s): Harry Potter, The Kite Runner
Favorite music artist(s): One Republic
What are your hobbies? Playing field hockey and softball, singing
Why do you love to play softball? “It’s a lot of fun and I met my best friend through playing the sport.”
Kristen Ruggiero
Uniform #: 3
Hometown: Manalapan
Kristen Ruggiero
High School: Manalapan
Nickname: “K-Ruggs”
Grade: 10
Age: 16
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Position(s): Infield, outfield, pitcher
Favorite college team: University of Alabama
Favorite college player: Christina Hamilton (Louisiana-Lafayette)
Favorite movie(s): Mean Girls, The Benchwarmers
Favorite book(s): To Kill a Mockingbird
Favorite music artist(s): One Direction
What are your hobbies? Playing softball, spending time with family, making bows
Why do you love to play softball? “I love to play softball because it’s more than just a game. It teaches you lessons on and off the field.”
Naomi Stas
Uniform #: 5
Hometown: Tuckerton
Naomi Stas
High School: Pinelands
Nickname: “Nay”
Grade: 11
Age: 17
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Position(s): Pitcher, utility
Possible career interest(s): Undecided
Favorite movie(s): Pirates of the Caribbean
Favorite book(s): The Compound
Favorite music artist(s): Paramore, Red Hot Chili Peppers
What are your hobbies? Playing basketball and softball, going to the beach
Why do you love to play softball? “It’s fun and a stress reliever.”
The Coaches
Aado Kommendant
Nickname: “Coach K” or “The King of RRsb”
High School Affiliate: Raritan
Aado Kommendant
Years of Coaching Experience: 20 years, with a two-year break to pursue my dream of being a medication delivery driver
Pet Peeves as a Coach: Coaches who call too many conferences
Favorite movie(s): Miracle, High Noon, Coming to America
Favorite book(s): The Boys of Winter: The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team
Favorite music artist(s): Living Colour, R.E.M., Neon Trees
Why do you love to coach softball? “I love to coach softball because it keeps me out of trouble and because it gets me into trouble.”
Who were/are your mentors and what’s the best advice any of them gave you? “In addition to Mark Frankel, Nancy Williams and Tom Erbig, my mentor early in my coaching career was Jerry D’Ambrosi, who once told me that a bad plan is better than no plan.”
Nora Bosmans
Nickname: “Bos”
High School Affiliate: Holmdel
Nora Bosmans
Years of Coaching Experience: 3 years
Pet Peeves as a Coach: Laziness and when players don’t play disciplined softball
Favorite movie(s): Forrest Gump, Remember the Titans, The Blind Side
Favorite book(s): Lord of the Flies, Tuesdays with Morrie, To Kill a Mockingbird
Favorite music artist(s): Zac Brown Band, Beyonce
Why do you love to coach softball? “I love to watch players develop and mature, not only as softball players, but also as people. I find it incredibly rewarding to see a player finally perfect a skill they have been working on throughout the season. I also really enjoy the mental aspect of softball. Not many people realize the strategy behind the game and I find that to be extremely fun. There is nothing better than outsmarting and outplaying an opponent.”
Who were/are your mentors and what’s the best advice any of them gave you? “Greg Kapalko coached me during my entire high school career while I played for his travel team, The Jaxx, and he continues to mentor me during my coaching career. I have learned so much about the game from Greg, and he is always there to point out mistakes so you can fix them in the future. I don’t think I can really pinpoint one piece of advice he has given me, because he has provided me with so many valuable lessons along the way.”
Zoe Otterman
Nickname: None
High School Affiliate: St. John Vianney (2012 graduate)
Zoe Otterman
Years of Coaching Experience: None, but I did play on the Carpenter Cup team in 2010 and 2011
Pet Peeves as a Coach: When players are late for practice (arriving on time means you are late); When players, coaches, or parents blame the umpire for a loss; When players say “It’s hot out!” (Thank you, are you planning on pursuing a career in meteorology?)
Favorite movie(s): Glory Road, 21 Jump Street, Pitch Perfect, Bridesmaids, Divergent
Favorite book(s): The Outsiders, The Great Gatsby
Favorite music artist(s): Rascal Flatts, Maroon 5, Katy Perry
Why do you love to coach softball? “I love to compete and help fulfill the hopes and dreams of all of the players in the Shore Conference (and win the Carpenter Cup). I was honored when Coach K asked me to be on the staff, because I hope to encourage and assist him and Nora (Bosmans) in any way possible so that we can bring the Carpenter Cup back to its rightful owner.”
Who were/are your mentors and what's the best advice any of them gave you? “Kim Lombardi, Dawn Karpell, Tony Vodola, Coach K, Greg Kapalko, Rich Streilein, MaryBeth Chambers-Bowle and Eric Kates … I have been fortunate to win championships with all of these well-respected coaches, and so I would like to think that I utilize the amazing advice that they all have given me.”
