Andrea Schoonmaker has made softball a central part of her life and is thankful for how it has shaped her young coaching career at Marlboro High School.

“One of the most important and special things about softball,’’ she said, “was the sisterhood bond that you have with your teammates. I feel like that’s one thing that we really try to preach to our teams – you have each other and this is where you can support each other.’’

Schoonmaker and assistant Christina DeNatale were honored by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association as the Region IX coaching staff of the year, one of eight across the nation for the spring season. The Marlboro pair – who were nominated and voted upon by the region coaches – are now eligible for the national staff award, to be announced on Aug. 19.

Marlboro, the

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