Kearny Softball Dominates with Blowout Wins

Talented freshman class leads Kardinals to statement victories over Bayonne and Union City

Apr. 7, 2026 at 6:34pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a high school softball game, with players' figures broken down into overlapping shapes and planes in vibrant colors representing the uniforms of the Kearny and Bayonne teams.Kearny's young talent and veteran leadership have combined to deliver a dominant start to the season, putting the rest of Hudson County on notice.Kearny Today

The Kearny High School softball team has made a strong statement to start the season, delivering blowout wins over four-time defending division champion Bayonne and Union City. Led by a talented freshman class and an experienced core, the Kardinals have emerged as a top contender for the Hudson County championship.

Why it matters

Kearny's dominant start has put the rest of the county on notice, as the team looks primed for a special season. The Kardinals' ability to blend their young talent with veteran leadership has created a formidable lineup that could challenge for titles this spring.

The details

Kearny opened the season with a 13-1 rout of Bayonne, then followed it up with a 17-4 thrashing of Union City. The Kardinals' lineup is led by a mix of returning starters and promising freshmen, including center fielder Anastasia Guy, first baseman Kathryn Schwerzler, third baseman Gabriella Martinez, pitcher/utility player Abigail Buchanan, and shortstop Ryleigh Chesney.

  • Kearny opened its season on Tuesday, April 1, 2026.
  • The Kardinals followed up their win over Bayonne with a victory at Union City on Thursday, April 3, 2026.

The players

Jim Pickel

Longtime head coach of the Kearny softball team.

Anastasia Guy

Junior center fielder and leadoff hitter for Kearny.

Kathryn Schwerzler

Senior first baseman and the lone returning starter in the Kardinals' lineup.

Gabriella Martinez

Freshman third baseman who has made an immediate impact, going 5-for-7 with five RBIs and four runs scored.

Abigail Buchanan

Freshman pitcher/utility player who had a dominant debut, going 3-for-4 with a home run, six RBIs and three runs, while also striking out eight batters in the circle.

Ryleigh Chesney

Freshman shortstop who has shown no ill effects from a preseason ankle injury, hitting a home run and driving in six runs to start the year.

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What they’re saying

“For me, I would say there was a little bit of (hesitation) just because it is totally different. All I heard for the last year about how good these kids are and this and that, everybody would say it. I'd be like, 'Oh, okay.' They hadn't started playing (high school softball) yet, so I didn't (truly) know.”

— Jim Pickel, Head Coach

“We have said that in our own way. We all have improved from last year, but there's still improvement needed on this team so don't get overconfident, but we have really stressed that we have something very positive here.”

— Jim Pickel, Head Coach

What’s next

Kearny will look to continue its hot start when it hosts Bloomfield on Monday, April 7, 2026, before division matchups against Hoboken on Tuesday and at North Bergen on Thursday. The Kardinals will then face a tough test on Saturday, April 12, 2026, when they take on three-time defending Group 1 champion Cedar Grove.

The takeaway

Kearny's dominant start has established the team as a clear contender for the Hudson County championship, with a talented mix of returning starters and promising freshmen leading the way. The Kardinals' ability to blend experience and youth has created a formidable lineup that could make them a force to be reckoned with this season.