The William Paterson Pioneers softball team is set to begin its season Saturday, March 7, in Florham Park, New Jersey, against the Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham Devils. The Pioneers enter the year with high expectations, aiming to improve on last season’s seventh-place finish in the New Jersey Athletic Conference standings and compete for a conference tournament berth.
William Paterson finished 16-18 overall last season and 8-10 in conference play. The team was picked seventh in the NJAC preseason poll and labeled a potential dark horse by conference voters. With a mix of veteran leadership and key newcomers, the Pioneers believe they have the pieces to contend and make a statement this spring.
Team chemistry has been a major point of emphasis for players and head coach Kathy Hill. The Pioneers are focused on building on that bond to elevate their performance and improve upon last year’s results.
“There are so many positives to talk about; the first one that jumps out to me is team chemistry,” Hill said. “The way this team embraces each other and pushes each other makes it very easy and improves upon what we already have.”
Hill is in her second season as head coach during her third stint with the program. She previously served as an assistant in 2000 and from 2010-15. After the 2015 season, Hill left to coach at her alma mater, Passaic Valley High School, where she earned Big North Coach of the Year honors in 2019 and 2021, as well as Passaic County Coach of the Year recognition in 2018 and 2021.
Photo Courtesy: Wp Athletics
The players have expressed confidence in the coaching staff’s leadership. Junior catcher/third baseman Megan Tinger, a transfer from the County College of Morris, said the staff played a key role in her decision to join the program.
Photo Courtesy: WP Athletics
I came here for a reason. I think the coaching staff is going to make us win; they will put us where we need to be,” Tinger said. “I have never met a coaching staff that is so consistently on top of you, and they care about things. I’ve transferred all over, and this is the only school that actually knows what classes I’m in.”
Tinger batted .325 during her career at County College of Morris and is expected to provide a key offensive boost for the Pioneers this season.
Senior first baseman Mikayla Reimer echoed the team’s confidence and competitive mindset.
“We want to win, we want to compete. We’ve been saying every practice that we’re going to win the NJAC,” Reimer said. “We are a really competitive group; we’re all locked in.”
With strong chemistry, experienced leadership and belief in their coaching staff, the Pioneers enter the season determined to contend for a conference title.
