The Medford U18 Renegades include seniors Sydney Hammond, Taylor Koveloski, Anna McConnell and Madison Parola, juniors Kristi Barsocchi, Ava Cardwell and Margot Fisher and sophomores Dani Brown, Natalie D’Angelo, Abby Edmondson and Camryn Juelg.
Palmyra High standout teaches softball skills to next generation
The sound of a softball popping into a glove pierced the silence on a warm summer night along the Delaware River in 1981, as 11-year-old twin sisters practiced hard on their way to eventual stardom at Palmyra High School and St. Peter’s University in Jersey City.
“My brothers and the neighborhood boys always included us when a pick-up baseball game was going on,” recalled Helen Barsocchi, who is in the hall of fame at both schools along with her sister, Mary Ann Konopka.
“We were taught not to ‘throw like a girl,’ and they did not make it easy on us,” she added. “We hung right with the boys and were not treated as less.”
Barsocchi remembers when Palmyra in the late 1970s and early ’80s had few sports for girls.
“Had it not been for the field on Garfield Avenue, I don’t believe we would have developed our softball skills and wouldn’t have had as much success in high school,” she said.
As a head coach and assistant coach with the Medford Renegades, Barsocchi has passed on the lessons and hitting tips from her dad, the late Hank “Boomer” Cloran, to her daughters Nicki and Kristi.
“My three greatest moments over my coaching career are winning two league championships and the program’s very first Renegade Rumble Tournament with my oldest daughter, Nicki,” Barsocchi noted, “winning three league championships and my very last Renegade Rumble Tournament with my youngest daughter, Kristi; and having the opportunity and the privilege to coach softball in Medford and do it the right way all of these years.”
She and head coach PJ Koveloski are retiring, going out on top after guiding the team to its third consecutive UGSA (United Girls Softball Association) High School Division Championship in the Burlington/Camden County travel softball league.
“I am super proud of our two-and-a-half-year undefeated streak. Going 47-0 is absolutely insane,” Koveloski marveled. “These girls have played three fall and two spring seasons without taking a loss.
‘Our last loss was in a tournament on June 27, 2021.”
Another highlight of his coaching career, Koveloski said, is “the fact that as a coach I get to hang up my cleats with championships in the 18U division with both of my daughters.”
Savannah Koveloski was on the 2018 Renegade championship team that also won the Rumbel Championship, and she and her teammates had an undefeated season in 2019. Taylor Koveloski helped the team win consecutive league championships from 2021 to 2023, the Renegade Rumble this year and the UGSA Classic Tournament this year and last.
“Being coach and dad is never easy, but I’ve had the opportunity to coach two of my children at this level and it has been a blast,” the elder Koveloski noted. “The ups and the downs, the tough car rides home. And don’t forget the countless hours Helen (his wife) and I have spent in the mud playing the role of ‘field fairies’ for a tournament or game to even happen.
“It was all worth it.”
Koveloski also cited his players, coaches and parents.
“I am proud of the way we have coached these girls,” he said. “They self-coach and encourage each other every game and practice.”
Barsocchi feels a bit sentimental about the end of her coaching career.
“I will miss coaching (daughter) Kristi,” she acknowledged. “It’s been such a fantastic experience coaching softball for both her and my oldest daughter, Nicki, over all of these years. I enjoyed sharing with my girls my passion and my love for a sport that has given me so much as both a player and later as a coach.
“There were a lot of special mother-daughter moments on the field with both my daughters.”
As for the players on the team, the following are assessments from Barsocchi’s scouting report:
“Pitcher Dani Brown has been with the team since she was 10U. She has developed into one of the most dominant pitchers in our league who can throw hard and can locate her pitches. In 51 innings pitched, she struck out 69 batters.”
“Pitcher Natalie D’Angelo has been with the team since she was 12U and has also become a fantastic pitcher. She gave up only 11 walks all season and had a remarkable ERA of 1.817. Nothing phases her when she is in the circle.”
“Catcher and first baseman Madison Parola joined the team in the spring of 2021. She splits her playing time at both catcher and 1B and is excellent at both positions. She is a team leader and is a power hitter.”
“Catcher and first baseman Abby Edmondson joined the team in the fall of 2021 and does a fantastic job behind the plate. She blocks and frames the ball very well, and she hits the ball with power and for average.”
“Second baseman Kristi Barsocchi has been on the team since 10U. She has a ton of range at 2B and plays very solid defense. She is a stolen base threat, hits for average and is a team leader for on base percentage and runs scored.”
“Shortstop Taylor Koveloski has played on the team since 12U. She developed into a very good shortstop and has one of the strongest arms on the team. She consistently leads the team in RBI and batting average.”
“Third baseman Margot Fisher joined the team in the fall of 2021. She has a great glove at 3B and has a ton of power at the plate. She has always been the kid that is super friendly with everyone, including opposing players.”
“Leftfielder Anna McConnell has been on the team since 12U. She is an all-around team player and a quiet leader. She primarily plays OF, but can play solid infield as well. She has consistently been one of the team leaders in batting average and runs scored.”
“Centerfielder Ava Cardwell has played on the team since 10U. She has a ton of range in the outfield and does a fantastic job tracking the ball. She has speed on the base paths and is an excellent leadoff hitter.”
“Rightfielder Sydney Hammond has been with the team since 12U. She primarily plays outfield and can play a solid 3B or backup catcher as needed. She hits for average and has been one to come up with the big hit in the most opportune moment.”
“Rightfielder Camryn Juelg is the newest member to the team, joining in the fall of 2022. She primarily played RF and also played 1B for us when needed. Camryn had the highest batting (.513) on the team this season, and came up with a few clutch hits to help us win during key moments in the season.”
