By Blake Chadwick
After finishing last year 0-20, the Central Burden Raiders only have one place to go and that is upwards.
Head coach Bruce Hafenstein has been the head coach since 2015 and has been loved because of his open type of coaching where he leaves no stone unturned. He thrives on teaching the girls how to play the game of softball, all while teaching them valuable life lessons.
Hafenstein’s love for softball has always been huge and dates back to him playing in a men’s fastpitch league growing up, and then trickling down to coaching his daughters who have all played softball.
The struggles haven’t always been like they have recently been. In 2021-22, the Raiders finished 11-5, a record that this young group can inch their way closer to as the season starts up.
“This group of kids needs to be taught to be teammates and gel as a team,” Hafenstein said. “If we can do this I see a winning season for them. I have always been a very aggressive coach with hitting and base running. The games should be exciting.”
The Raiders return a good group in sophomore pitcher Jessilyn Parsons, who was an all-league player last year, sophomore shortstop Gracelea Weiglie who was an all-league selection, junior Libby Cannon, and a really strong group of freshmen.
