The rotten weather has taken its toll on everybody in the Shore Conference the past few weeks, and Rumson-Fair Haven’s girls’ softball team is certainly no exception.

"We’ve only managed to have three games the entire season, two of which were against teams in the top 10 in the Shore. So it’s been an interesting start," said RFH head coach Jeff Herkimer. "We’ve been playing real solid ball except for one slip-up against Wall where we lost 12-1. Other than that game, things have been looking quite well for us."

Despite the rough 0-3 start, Herkimer remains positive in the early going, and says that his team is excited about its potential.

"Like I tell the girls, our goals are to get into the Shore Conference Tournament and the states," he said. "If we just go out there and improve on a daily basis, we’ll be all right. If they give 100 percent during every practice and during every game, the wins will come, and we’ll be successful."

Herkimer is a relative newcomer to the Rumson program, in only his second year at the school and his first as head coach.

"About half of the girls I have now were on my JV squad, so I’m pretty well accustomed to their games," he said. "We only have three returning starters, so I guess you could say that we’re lacking in some varsity experience. We’re going to have some growing pains, but we should be able to meet our goals and play at the level we’re capable of."

Herkimer has been excited about the play of junior Katie McCarthy, who made the switch from second base to the outfield this season.

"She’s really taken off in her new position," said Herkimer. "She plays like a natural outfielder. She has a quick move on the ball, and a very strong arm. I’ve been really impressed with her play thus far."

Catherine Steinhauser also is playing well in the midst of a position change, making the move from third base to short stop.

"She made the transition very effortlessly, and has come up with some big hits over the past few games."

Beyond those two players, the Bulldogs have a solid mix of veteran and underclassmen players filtered throughout the line-up. While McCarthy leads off, junior third baseman Sarah Stout follows her, with sophomore first baseman Julie Nociolo in the third spot.

Junior pitcher Heather Immesberger bats cleanup, followed by Steinhauser. The rest of the lineup includes sophomore DH Aimee Kirman, sophomore center fielder Jenny Cohen, senior second baseman Courtney Clabby, senior right fielder Sandy Feigin, and junior catcher Camy Thees.

Among the other players Herkimer will look to for contributions this year are juniors Alyson Morris (OF) and Ashley Wood (2B), and sophomore Lauren Sharkey (utility).

Rumson has eight games scheduled for this week and next week, including their Lady Buc Tournament play-in game against Holmdel, with the winner getting St. Rose. In other words, things are about to get hectic for the Bulldogs.

"We’re making up some games we missed over the next few weeks, and we definitely have our schedules full," Herkimer said. "It should be a nice test for our team."

The Bulldogs will face Manasquan today at home at 3:45 p.m., and will travel to Monmouth Regional tomorrow for a 10 a.m. start.