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Watchung Hills' George comfortable sharing
the spotlight
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By Simeon Pincus, Staff Writer
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Published in the Courier News - March 31, 2004
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Kristen George is not taking anything for granted.
The senior right-hander has become accustomed to sharing the pitcher's circle for the Watchung Hills High School
softball team, splitting time with Kelly Filippone the past two years.
But with Filippone having graduated, George will defer to junior right-hander Sarah Fenstemaker in certain games,
even if it is clear who the top hurler is.
The plan is for both pitchers to see plenty of time in the circle while the other plays first base. But when tournament
time arrives, George figures to get the ball.
"It's not a situation where the second pitcher can't do it," Watchung Hills coach Kristin Politi said.
"She can do it. But she (George) certainly has the experience in tournaments and pressure situations. But
I have confidence in Sarah as well. She will certainly see a lot of time."
After playing mostly as a backup during her freshman season, George made her mark in the 2002 Somerset County Tournament
final, where she tossed a one-hit shutout, walking none, to lead the Warriors to their second straight crown.
George finished that season 9-3 with a 0.64 ERA and was named First Team All-Area.
Last year, George started eight games, going 6-2 with a 1.52 ERA, and she and Filippone were named third team All-Area.
And while George has earned the right to be Watchung Hills' ace, she is taking it one start at a time.
"I'm going to approach the season like all the other ones," George said. "I'm just going to do my
best and do what's best for the team. I'm not telling myself that I'm going to pitch all the games. Sarah is definitely
a great pitcher and she will see some time, so I don't know what's going to happen with the rotation. I'm not feeling
set in any position."
George is not overpowering, relying on moving the ball around with offspeed pitches and drops. But what she does
bring, in addition to three years of varsity experience, is confidence and the ability to thrive under pressure.
"As a freshman, she always had the composure and the confidence," Politi said. "She's a gamer. She
loves the pressure situations. At this point now, being a senior, she is elated to have the opportunity. She's
enjoying having control of the situation. She knows when she's out there, she's out there for the win. She's real
excited coming in knowing she's our No. 1."
Meanwhile, George hopes she can help ease Fenstemaker's transition to varsity.
"I hope I will be able to help her," George said. "We talk all the time. She missed a lot of varsity
games last year pitching on JV, so I'll definitely try and fill her in and help her learn the players as well as
I do because I've gotten to face them for four years."
"I've been friends with her for four years. We played field hockey together," Fenstemaker said. "I
think, right now, she's definitely considered in the No. 1 spot. I don't think it's competitive, really, because
we are friends. And I think with the schedule we have, there's room for two people." |
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