Instructor Directory
BASEBALL INSTRUCTORS
SOFTBALL INSTRUCTORS
Experience …
Drafted in the 11th round by the Atlanta Braves in 2000.
Played for Danville in the Appalachian League and the Braves’ rookie team in the Gulf Coast League, 2001
Hitting Coordinator, Diamond Nation, 2008-Present
Assistant varsity coach, North Hunterdon High School (N.J.), 2011
Head coach, Immaculata High School (Somerville, N.J.), 2013-Present
Education …
Kean University, B.A. History, 2012
Immaculata High School, 2000
Expertise …
Hitting, first base and outfield
Did you know? …
Kevin was named First Team All-State by The Star-Ledger in 1999 and 2000. He hit 33 home runs in his high school career, which set a state record. His 16 home runs in 2000 also set a state record. Those records have since been broken. Hillsborough’s Tim Fedroff broke the state record with 34 home runs in a career that ended in 2006. Former Super 17 player Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels) broke the state’s single season record when he hit 18 home runs in 2009 for Millville. Cust’s Immaculata teams never lost a Somerset County Tournament game during his four-year varsity career. Kevin loves basketball, plays in a heavy metal band and speaks Spanish fluently.
Experience …
Assistant baseball coach and recruiting coordinator, Bloomfield (NJ) College, 2005-’07.
Physical Education teacher and head varsity coach, Wardlaw Hartridge (NJ), 2007-’09.
Edison American Legion assistant coach, 2008. State Champions in 2007. We were a regional finalistin '07, '08.
Associate scout for the Atlanta Braves, 2010-2012
Director of Garden State Underclass Games – 2013-Present
Assistant varsity baseball coach, Somerville High School (NJ), 2015-Present
Education …
California University (Pa), 2008
Upsala College, 1995
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS, 1993
Expertise …
Infield and hitting, all ages; College recruiting.
Steve has guided more than 60 Division 1 players through the recruiting process
Did you know? …
In addition to playing baseball at Scotch Plains High School, Steve ran winter track. He competed in the, 60, 200 and 400-meter runs and 800-meter relay. He earned All-Conference and was the team’s MVP.” Steve was graduated from the Union County Fire Academy. He has coached six infielders in the past seven years who’ve committed or played for teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Experience
- Former Head Baseball Coach at Hunterdon Central Regional High School from 2000-2016.
- Inducted into the New Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame in 2014.
- His Central teams won over 30 Championships including three NJ State Championships in 2008, 2009, and 2016 as well as 4 Sectional Championships and numerous County, Conference and Invitational Tournament Championships.
- Named Coach of the Year multiple times including the NFHS New Jersey Coach of the Year, the Northeast Region Coach of the Year and the nj.com Coach of the Year as well as numerous other publications.
- He holds the Hunterdon Central Career Wins Record with 314 and his 2009 team has the school record for most wins in a season after going 29-1.
- Former Director of Baseball Operations at Diamond Nation until 2016.
Education
- Rider University – Masters in Education
- The College of New Jersey – B.S. in Health and Physical Education
- The College of New Jersey – B.S. in Corporate Fitness
Expertise
- Hitting, Infield, Outfield and Team Building
Experience …
Coach, instructor, Diamond Nation, Flemington, 2010-Present
Head Coach, Diamond Jacks 10U and 11U teams, 2012-‘13
Head coach, Hunterdon Central summer team 2010 – 2013
Varsity assistant coach, Hunterdon Central High School, 2009-’10
Head coach, Hunterdon Central Junior American Legion 2007-‘10
Elementary School Teacher, New Brunswick – 2010-Present
Education …
Felician College (NJ), 2009
Hunterdon Central High School, 2005.
Expertise …
Fielding, infield and outfield, and hitting
Did you know? …
Mike broke the single season hits and doubles records and career doubles record at Hunterdon Central High School his senior year in 2005. Mike was assistant varsity coach at Hunterdon Central in 2009. That Red Devils team won the NJSIAA Group 4 championship and finished No. 1 in the state.
Experience …
Drafted in the 25th round by the Atlanta Braves in 2001. “Tyrone Brooks is the scout who drafted me.”
Reached High-A ball with the Braves.
Played seven years in the Atlantic League for Camden Riversharks and Somerset Patriots.
Hitting coach and third base coach for Somerset Patriots, 2010-‘12.
Diamond Nation – Providing lessons and coaching teams, 2006-present.
Education …
University Nebraska, 2001
Shasta Jr. College, California, 1999-‘00 – AA Criminal Justice
Burney Jr./Sr. High School, 1998
Expertise …
Catching and hitting, all ages.
Did you know? …
Travis’ senior class at Burney High had just 42 students. “Actor Craig T. Nelson (Poltergeist) taught at my high school in 1969.” Travis was the leadoff hitter his freshman year at Shasta Junior College. He played high school football and was named Second Team All Northern Section of California as a defensive back. He holds two football records at his high school; he intercepted 14 passes in one season and kicked a 47-yard field goal, the longest in school history. “I almost went to college as a kicker.”
Quick Facts …
- Drafted by the Florida Marlins in 2003
- Pitched 6 seasons of Minor League Baseball posting 25 career wins with a 3.81 ERA and 8 saves
- Won two championships:
- 2009 with the Quebec Capitales in the CANAM League
- 2012 with the Winnipeg Goldeyes in the American Association
- Career best year was 2011 with the Lake Erie Crusers going 4-2 with a 1.42 ERA in 30 appearances while striking out 39 and walking 13 in 47 innings.
- Graduated from Florida International University in 2008.
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Experience …
Played professionally for Amarillo Thunderheads, Lake Erie Crushers, Raton Osos, Santa Se Fuego, White Sands Pup Fish and Somerset Patriots.
Diamond Jacks coach 2012-to-Present
Played collegiately for Keystone College 2008-2012
Current Paraprofessional and Assistant Baseball Coach at Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Flemington, N.J.
Education …
Phillipsburg High School, 2004-2008
Northampton CC, 2008-2009
Keystone College, Sports and Recreation Management, 2009-2012
Expertise …
Pitching, Outfield, Hitting
Did you know? …
In 2008 Brian was named First Team Skyland Conference, First Team West Jersey and First Team All-Area as an outfielder/pitcher for Phillipsburg High School. He also pitched his team to the Hunterdon/Warren championship that same year. At Northampton CC Brian was named First Team All Conference in 2009. At Keystone College Brian was Second Team All CSAC Conference when his team won the CSAC Conference championship in 2010. In 2011 his team won the CSAC Conference Championship, New York Regional Championship, and played in the Division III NCAA College World Series, finishing 3rd in the nation. His senior year, Keystone won the CSAC Conference champion and Brian was named Honorable Mention All CSAC Conference. He was also selected to the All-Tournament team in the 2012 Mid-Atlantic Regional.
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Experience …
Diamond Nation coach/instructor, 1998-present
Played for Somerset Patriots, 2003-'06
Drafted by Chicago Cubs, 16th round in 1999
Played two years of Class A ball with the Cubs, 1999-'00
Old Dominion University, 1995-'99. Old Dominion Sports Hall of Fame, 2007
Cape Cod League, 1997
Education …
Old Dominion University, '01, Sports Management
Immaculata High School, 1995. Immaculata Sports Hall of Fame, 2011
Expertise …
Infield/Outfield/Hitting, all ages. Tony provides lessons in each area.
Did you know? …
Tony hit 37 home runs at Old Dominion, which is tied for school's all-time career record.
Tony was named to New Jersey's All-State team in both baseball and football at Immaculata.
Tony collects vintage football game-used items. He grew up on Duke Farms in Hillsborough, N.J.
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Experience …
Pitched in 2011 for the Washington Nationals.
He was drafted out of Centenary College in 2006 by the Washington Nationals.
He’s provided lessons at Jack Cust Baseball Academy and Diamond Nation since 2007.
Clinician at Hackettstown High School.
Education …
Centenary College, 2006
Hackettstown High School, 2003.
Expertise …
All facets of pitching.
Coaching philosophy …
Work hard and have fun.
Coach Cole looks up to …
“My dad. He coached me from Little League and until seventh grade.”
Did you know? …
Cole played in parts of six minor league seasons before the Washington Nationals called him up to the major leagues in 2011. He had pitched 13.2 scoreless innings for Triple-A Syracuse to start the season. Cole continued to stay locked in when called up to the Nationals. He allowed just three runs in 14 innings over 12 games to produce a 1.93 ERA. He suffered a shoulder injury after a month in the major leagues and has been working his way back since. He was signed as a free agent by the Yankees last February and pitched this past summer for the Double-A Trenton Thunder.
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Experience …
Drafted in the 25th round by the Atlanta Braves in 2001. “Tyrone Brooks is the scout who drafted me.”
Reached High-A ball with the Braves.
Played seven years in the Atlantic League for Camden Riversharks and Somerset Patriots.
Hitting coach and third base coach for Somerset Patriots, 2010-‘12.
Diamond Nation – Providing lessons and coaching teams, 2006-present.
Education …
University Nebraska, 2001
Shasta Jr. College, California, 1999-‘00 – AA Criminal Justice
Burney Jr./Sr. High School, 1998
Expertise …
Catching and hitting, all ages.
Did you know? …
Travis’ senior class at Burney High had just 42 students. “Actor Craig T. Nelson (Poltergeist) taught at my high school in 1969.” Travis was the leadoff hitter his freshman year at Shasta Junior College. He played high school football and was named Second Team All Northern Section of California as a defensive back. He holds two football records at his high school; he intercepted 14 passes in one season and kicked a 47-yard field goal, the longest in school history. “I almost went to college as a kicker.”
Title: Head Coach Finch’s Aces 16U
High School: Morris Hills
College: The College of New Jersey
Experience …
Coach, instructor, Diamond Nation, Flemington, since Aug., 2017
Freshman Head Coach, Wayne Valley High School, 2017
Freshman Head Coach, Morris Hill High School, 2016
Varsity assistant Coach, Wayne Valley High School, 2015
High School Health and Physical Education teacher, Wayne NJ, 2015-Present
Education …
The College of New Jersey, 2015
Morris Hills High School, 2011
Expertise …
Catching, Hitting and Infield
Did you know? …
Lauren is from a large family of five siblings and 33 first cousins. She was a three-sport athlete all four years of high school. Lauren was a two-time Second Team All-Conference recipient at Morris Hills. At TCNJ, Lauren was a recipient of the athletic academic scholarship three out of four years. Her TCNJ teams qualified twice for the NCAA regional tournament.
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Sara was a four year starter at Mount Saint Mary Academy and continued her playing career at RVCC before having a career ending injury. Sara has been coaching 10u-14u at the Skylands Pride since 2016. Sara is currently giving lessons at Diamond Nation in pitching, hitting and fielding!
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Experience …
Finch’s Aces Director of Softball Operations, 2008-’17.
Wagner College - Holds record for doubles in a single season. Top five all-time at Wagner in games played, at-bats, hits, doubles, RBI and total bases, 2004-’08.
Hunterdon Central High School - First Team All-State pitcher, 2003 & ’04. All-Hunterdon/
Warren, 2002, ‘03 & ‘’04. Player of the Year, 2004.
Education …
B.S. Business Marketing, Wagner College 2004-’08
Hunterdon Central Regional High School ‘00- ‘04
Expertise …
Pitching, fielding & hitting, all ages
Did you know? …
Ami is very artsy. “My favorite thing outside of softball is doing homemade projects and graphic design. Oh, and I still live my softball dreams through competitive slowpitch! Can’t hang the cleats up yet!” Ami started all four years at Division 1 Wagner, playing in 201 games. She set the career doubles record in 2008. She was an All-Northeast Conference selection and an NEC All-Tournament team honoree. Iwicki creates all the marketing materials we see in all of our daily programs. At Hunterdon Central, Ami’s teams won two sectional championships and posted a 73-11-1 record in 2002-’04. She owns the Hunterdon Central record for strikeouts in a game (20) and is second with 195.1 innings pitched in a season.
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Experience …
Drafted in the 11th round by the Atlanta Braves in 2000.
Played for Danville in the Appalachian League and the Braves’ rookie team in the Gulf Coast League, 2001
Hitting Coordinator, Diamond Nation, 2008-Present
Assistant varsity coach, North Hunterdon High School (N.J.), 2011
Head coach, Immaculata High School (Somerville, N.J.), 2013-Present
Education …
Kean University, B.A. History, 2012
Immaculata High School, 2000
Expertise …
Hitting, first base and outfield
Did you know? …
Kevin was named First Team All-State by The Star-Ledger in 1999 and 2000. He hit 33 home runs in his high school career, which set a state record. His 16 home runs in 2000 also set a state record. Those records have since been broken. Hillsborough’s Tim Fedroff broke the state record with 34 home runs in a career that ended in 2006. Former Super 17 player Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels) broke the state’s single season record when he hit 18 home runs in 2009 for Millville. Cust’s Immaculata teams never lost a Somerset County Tournament game during his four-year varsity career. Kevin loves basketball, plays in a heavy metal band and speaks Spanish fluently.
Experience …
Assistant baseball coach and recruiting coordinator, Bloomfield (NJ) College, 2005-’07.
Physical Education teacher and head varsity coach, Wardlaw Hartridge (NJ), 2007-’09.
Edison American Legion assistant coach, 2008. State Champions in 2007. We were a regional finalistin '07, '08.
Associate scout for the Atlanta Braves, 2010-2012
Director of Garden State Underclass Games – 2013-Present
Assistant varsity baseball coach, Somerville High School (NJ), 2015-Present
Education …
California University (Pa), 2008
Upsala College, 1995
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS, 1993
Expertise …
Infield and hitting, all ages; College recruiting.
Steve has guided more than 60 Division 1 players through the recruiting process
Did you know? …
In addition to playing baseball at Scotch Plains High School, Steve ran winter track. He competed in the, 60, 200 and 400-meter runs and 800-meter relay. He earned All-Conference and was the team’s MVP.” Steve was graduated from the Union County Fire Academy. He has coached six infielders in the past seven years who’ve committed or played for teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Experience
- Former Head Baseball Coach at Hunterdon Central Regional High School from 2000-2016.
- Inducted into the New Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame in 2014.
- His Central teams won over 30 Championships including three NJ State Championships in 2008, 2009, and 2016 as well as 4 Sectional Championships and numerous County, Conference and Invitational Tournament Championships.
- Named Coach of the Year multiple times including the NFHS New Jersey Coach of the Year, the Northeast Region Coach of the Year and the nj.com Coach of the Year as well as numerous other publications.
- He holds the Hunterdon Central Career Wins Record with 314 and his 2009 team has the school record for most wins in a season after going 29-1.
- Former Director of Baseball Operations at Diamond Nation until 2016.
Education
- Rider University – Masters in Education
- The College of New Jersey – B.S. in Health and Physical Education
- The College of New Jersey – B.S. in Corporate Fitness
Expertise
- Hitting, Infield, Outfield and Team Building
Experience …
Coach, instructor, Diamond Nation, Flemington, 2010-Present
Head Coach, Diamond Jacks 10U and 11U teams, 2012-‘13
Head coach, Hunterdon Central summer team 2010 – 2013
Varsity assistant coach, Hunterdon Central High School, 2009-’10
Head coach, Hunterdon Central Junior American Legion 2007-‘10
Elementary School Teacher, New Brunswick – 2010-Present
Education …
Felician College (NJ), 2009
Hunterdon Central High School, 2005.
Expertise …
Fielding, infield and outfield, and hitting
Did you know? …
Mike broke the single season hits and doubles records and career doubles record at Hunterdon Central High School his senior year in 2005. Mike was assistant varsity coach at Hunterdon Central in 2009. That Red Devils team won the NJSIAA Group 4 championship and finished No. 1 in the state.
Experience …
Drafted in the 25th round by the Atlanta Braves in 2001. “Tyrone Brooks is the scout who drafted me.”
Reached High-A ball with the Braves.
Played seven years in the Atlantic League for Camden Riversharks and Somerset Patriots.
Hitting coach and third base coach for Somerset Patriots, 2010-‘12.
Diamond Nation – Providing lessons and coaching teams, 2006-present.
Education …
University Nebraska, 2001
Shasta Jr. College, California, 1999-‘00 – AA Criminal Justice
Burney Jr./Sr. High School, 1998
Expertise …
Catching and hitting, all ages.
Did you know? …
Travis’ senior class at Burney High had just 42 students. “Actor Craig T. Nelson (Poltergeist) taught at my high school in 1969.” Travis was the leadoff hitter his freshman year at Shasta Junior College. He played high school football and was named Second Team All Northern Section of California as a defensive back. He holds two football records at his high school; he intercepted 14 passes in one season and kicked a 47-yard field goal, the longest in school history. “I almost went to college as a kicker.”
Quick Facts …
- Drafted by the Florida Marlins in 2003
- Pitched 6 seasons of Minor League Baseball posting 25 career wins with a 3.81 ERA and 8 saves
- Won two championships:
- 2009 with the Quebec Capitales in the CANAM League
- 2012 with the Winnipeg Goldeyes in the American Association
- Career best year was 2011 with the Lake Erie Crusers going 4-2 with a 1.42 ERA in 30 appearances while striking out 39 and walking 13 in 47 innings.
- Graduated from Florida International University in 2008.
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Experience …
Played professionally for Amarillo Thunderheads, Lake Erie Crushers, Raton Osos, Santa Se Fuego, White Sands Pup Fish and Somerset Patriots.
Diamond Jacks coach 2012-to-Present
Played collegiately for Keystone College 2008-2012
Current Paraprofessional and Assistant Baseball Coach at Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Flemington, N.J.
Education …
Phillipsburg High School, 2004-2008
Northampton CC, 2008-2009
Keystone College, Sports and Recreation Management, 2009-2012
Expertise …
Pitching, Outfield, Hitting
Did you know? …
In 2008 Brian was named First Team Skyland Conference, First Team West Jersey and First Team All-Area as an outfielder/pitcher for Phillipsburg High School. He also pitched his team to the Hunterdon/Warren championship that same year. At Northampton CC Brian was named First Team All Conference in 2009. At Keystone College Brian was Second Team All CSAC Conference when his team won the CSAC Conference championship in 2010. In 2011 his team won the CSAC Conference Championship, New York Regional Championship, and played in the Division III NCAA College World Series, finishing 3rd in the nation. His senior year, Keystone won the CSAC Conference champion and Brian was named Honorable Mention All CSAC Conference. He was also selected to the All-Tournament team in the 2012 Mid-Atlantic Regional.
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Experience …
Diamond Nation coach/instructor, 1998-present
Played for Somerset Patriots, 2003-'06
Drafted by Chicago Cubs, 16th round in 1999
Played two years of Class A ball with the Cubs, 1999-'00
Old Dominion University, 1995-'99. Old Dominion Sports Hall of Fame, 2007
Cape Cod League, 1997
Education …
Old Dominion University, '01, Sports Management
Immaculata High School, 1995. Immaculata Sports Hall of Fame, 2011
Expertise …
Infield/Outfield/Hitting, all ages. Tony provides lessons in each area.
Did you know? …
Tony hit 37 home runs at Old Dominion, which is tied for school's all-time career record.
Tony was named to New Jersey's All-State team in both baseball and football at Immaculata.
Tony collects vintage football game-used items. He grew up on Duke Farms in Hillsborough, N.J.
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Experience …
Pitched in 2011 for the Washington Nationals.
He was drafted out of Centenary College in 2006 by the Washington Nationals.
He’s provided lessons at Jack Cust Baseball Academy and Diamond Nation since 2007.
Clinician at Hackettstown High School.
Education …
Centenary College, 2006
Hackettstown High School, 2003.
Expertise …
All facets of pitching.
Coaching philosophy …
Work hard and have fun.
Coach Cole looks up to …
“My dad. He coached me from Little League and until seventh grade.”
Did you know? …
Cole played in parts of six minor league seasons before the Washington Nationals called him up to the major leagues in 2011. He had pitched 13.2 scoreless innings for Triple-A Syracuse to start the season. Cole continued to stay locked in when called up to the Nationals. He allowed just three runs in 14 innings over 12 games to produce a 1.93 ERA. He suffered a shoulder injury after a month in the major leagues and has been working his way back since. He was signed as a free agent by the Yankees last February and pitched this past summer for the Double-A Trenton Thunder.
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Experience …
Drafted in the 25th round by the Atlanta Braves in 2001. “Tyrone Brooks is the scout who drafted me.”
Reached High-A ball with the Braves.
Played seven years in the Atlantic League for Camden Riversharks and Somerset Patriots.
Hitting coach and third base coach for Somerset Patriots, 2010-‘12.
Diamond Nation – Providing lessons and coaching teams, 2006-present.
Education …
University Nebraska, 2001
Shasta Jr. College, California, 1999-‘00 – AA Criminal Justice
Burney Jr./Sr. High School, 1998
Expertise …
Catching and hitting, all ages.
Did you know? …
Travis’ senior class at Burney High had just 42 students. “Actor Craig T. Nelson (Poltergeist) taught at my high school in 1969.” Travis was the leadoff hitter his freshman year at Shasta Junior College. He played high school football and was named Second Team All Northern Section of California as a defensive back. He holds two football records at his high school; he intercepted 14 passes in one season and kicked a 47-yard field goal, the longest in school history. “I almost went to college as a kicker.”
Title: Head Coach Finch’s Aces 16U
High School: Morris Hills
College: The College of New Jersey
Experience …
Coach, instructor, Diamond Nation, Flemington, since Aug., 2017
Freshman Head Coach, Wayne Valley High School, 2017
Freshman Head Coach, Morris Hill High School, 2016
Varsity assistant Coach, Wayne Valley High School, 2015
High School Health and Physical Education teacher, Wayne NJ, 2015-Present
Education …
The College of New Jersey, 2015
Morris Hills High School, 2011
Expertise …
Catching, Hitting and Infield
Did you know? …
Lauren is from a large family of five siblings and 33 first cousins. She was a three-sport athlete all four years of high school. Lauren was a two-time Second Team All-Conference recipient at Morris Hills. At TCNJ, Lauren was a recipient of the athletic academic scholarship three out of four years. Her TCNJ teams qualified twice for the NCAA regional tournament.
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Sara was a four year starter at Mount Saint Mary Academy and continued her playing career at RVCC before having a career ending injury. Sara has been coaching 10u-14u at the Skylands Pride since 2016. Sara is currently giving lessons at Diamond Nation in pitching, hitting and fielding!
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Experience …
Finch’s Aces Director of Softball Operations, 2008-’17.
Wagner College - Holds record for doubles in a single season. Top five all-time at Wagner in games played, at-bats, hits, doubles, RBI and total bases, 2004-’08.
Hunterdon Central High School - First Team All-State pitcher, 2003 & ’04. All-Hunterdon/
Warren, 2002, ‘03 & ‘’04. Player of the Year, 2004.
Education …
B.S. Business Marketing, Wagner College 2004-’08
Hunterdon Central Regional High School ‘00- ‘04
Expertise …
Pitching, fielding & hitting, all ages
Did you know? …
Ami is very artsy. “My favorite thing outside of softball is doing homemade projects and graphic design. Oh, and I still live my softball dreams through competitive slowpitch! Can’t hang the cleats up yet!” Ami started all four years at Division 1 Wagner, playing in 201 games. She set the career doubles record in 2008. She was an All-Northeast Conference selection and an NEC All-Tournament team honoree. Iwicki creates all the marketing materials we see in all of our daily programs. At Hunterdon Central, Ami’s teams won two sectional championships and posted a 73-11-1 record in 2002-’04. She owns the Hunterdon Central record for strikeouts in a game (20) and is second with 195.1 innings pitched in a season.
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