Hild a strikeout machine; SPC hires assistant Kochman as new grid coach
Almost quietly, North Bergen ace softball pitcher Jodie Hild has been on a roll and a half lately. The senior hurler has been downright dominant over the last three weeks, putting up some incredible statistics in the process.
Hild has struck out at least 10 batters in each of her last 10 starts. She has won seven of eight, hurling three no-hitters and a one-hitter in that time. She set a new single game school record with 19 strikeouts in a recent win over Union Hill and struck out 17 on two different occasions against Ferris and Emerson.
During the last eight games, Hild has struck out 111 batters, walked just 13 and surrendered just 14 hits.
"It is pretty amazing for me," said Hild, who has been the Hudson Reporter Player of the Year for the last two years. "I just go out there and throw. I don't even think about the stats. But I read the stats after the games and I just say, 'Wow!' I really can't believe it."
For the season, Hild now has 214 strikeouts in 128 innings, with an earned run average of 0.79.
But there's more than just that. Hild is batting .486 with two homers and 32 RBI and is the lone Bruin with a batting average better than .300.
"The numbers are just unbelievable," North Bergen head coach Tom Eagleson said. "Both hitting and pitching. The strikeouts keep piling up. There's so much pressure on her. Never mind the pitching. If she doesn't hit the way she's hitting, we're dead. But she's peaking at the right time."
Hild, who has already signed a letter of intent to attend Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck to play softball there, is now just 36 strikeouts behind Carol Cook's single-season record of 240, set in 1987.
"I'm not even thinking about the records," Hild said. "If I focus on that, then I'll get out of the rhythm I'm in right now. But it's a good feeling that we've done so well lately."
After starting the season with a 3-5 record, the Bruins have won 10 of 12 games to improve to 13-7, heading into the HCIAA Coviello semifinal showdown with defending champion Holy Family Academy...
St. Peter's College didn't wait long to find a new football coach and obviously didn't have to look far either.
The new coach is former assistant coach Scott Kochman, who takes over for Rob Stern.
Stern resigned a few weeks ago to become the new athletic director and football coach at Hudson Catholic.
Kochman was an assistant coach at Kean, Bryant College in Rhode Island and Hofstra before coming to SPC two years ago, serving as the quarterback coach.
SPC athletic director Bill Stein has a history of hiring from within, so when Kochman expressed interest in wanting the job, it made the decision a no-brainer.
"The fact that Scott was on our staff and knows all the players from a successful team is very important," Stein said. "He brings an enthusiasm for football and coaching that comes across immediately. He has a strong coaching background and he is a proven recruiter who has worked extensively in New Jersey."
Kochman received a glowing recommendation from Joe Gardi, the Hudson County native who is the long-time head coach at Hofstra.... - Jim Hague