New Providence Softball Team Giving Opponents Fits with its Hard-Hitting Lineup

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ — With four victories in its last five games, the New Providence softball team has been scoring in bunches.The Pioneers feature a deep senior class and one of the most productive lineups in the Union County Conference’s Mountain Division.The Pioneers sit at 9–5 overall and 5–5 in division play, with signature victories over Westfield and Scotch Plains-Fanwood along the way.New Providence’s offense has been prolific, batting .334 as a group with 133 hits, 137 runs and 95 RBI through 14 games. Three times in their last five games, the Pioneers have scored 20 runs.Senior shortstop Haley Kessler leads the Pioneers with a .574 average, 27 hits, 28 runs, and a .830 slugging percentage, including seven doubles, a triple and a home run. Kessler recently surpassed 100 hits for her career.Senior Carys Lee, who plays left field and third base, is hitting .455 with 20 hits, 24 runs, and 18 RBI, while also providing extra‑base power with seven doubles, a triple and a home run.Riley Glibowski is batting .425 with 17 hits, 22 runs and nine RBI. Emma Peldunas has emerged as a key run‑producer, hitting .356 with 16 hits and 15 RBI. Senior Jiselle Mateo has a .349 bitting average, 15 hits and 13 RBI.The Pioneers’ pitching has been led by sophomore Eliana Lee, who has logged the bulk of the innings. Lee is 4–2 with a 3.43 ERA across 51 innings, striking out 24 while allowing 25 earned runs.Senior Ella Celoski has contributed 25 innings and three wins. She recently recorded her 100th career strikeout.