Even before Absegami High School played a softball game this season, Coach Pat Esemplare spoke about potential.
He felt that the current squad could be one of the most talented he has coached in his long tenure.
The players have a chance to fulfill that potential in the playoffs, which begin on Tuesday, May 22.
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Absegami, the No. 7 seed, hosts No. 10 Egg Harbor Township, in the first
round of the NJSIAA Group IV South playoffs 4 p.m.
The Braves enter the playoffs arguably playing their best softball of the season.
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Absegami has won four straight and 10 of its last 12 games. The two losses in that span were a pair of 1-0 defeats to perennial powers Vineland and Hammonton.
Absegami pitcher Kelly Lupton and the Braves defense have been outstanding since the middle of April. The Braves have allowed more than four runs only twice since the Rancocas Valley Tournament on April 14.
The last time the Braves took the field on April 18, Lupton struck out nine and allowed two hits, in a complete-game victory over rival Oakcrest.
Becca Maguire smacked a two-run home run in the 9-0 win, and teammate Dana Cafone drove in three runs with a double and a triple.
The winner of Tuesday's game will play the winner of No. 6 Williamstown-No. 11 Vineland on May 24.