Under-14s
The South Brunswick Athletic Association Under-14 travel softball team had a busy week last week, competing in 10 games over an eight-day period.
The U-14’s lost 3-2 to Middlesex on Monday and 6-2 to South Plainfield on Tuesday, before notching an 8-2 victory in Watchung. That makes their record in the Tri-County league 5-4.
In the East Brunswick tournament, which began Friday, they lost to the home team 4-1 Friday and split a doubleheader Saturday, placing them seventh in the seedings for the single-elimination round Sunday.
They opened the day with a 2-0 shutout of Byram, then went on to beat a tough North Edison team 8-5.
In the semifinals they faced the Edison Angels, a team that previously had beaten them 11-0, and knocked them off with a 4-3 win, earning a trip to the finals, which they dropped 3-0.
Alissa Goldsmith was the catalyst all day providing clutch hitting and strong fielding. Alis Biri and Larissa Rogan each played three different defensive positions and delivered hits all day. Ashley Gunther moved over to play first base after an injury to her throwing arm. Nikki Monfasani was another injury victim whose bat carried us through a long day. Kim Ryan caught all four games and threw out a half dozen runners in between lacing hits into the outfield.
Sarah Gorman, Heather Domotor, Jenna Wissocki and Lauren Foley were solid on the mound and provided some timely hits to help their own cause. Kaitlin Ringer had some timely hits and provided the game-saving catch that propelled them into the finals.
Junior Vikings
The South Brunswick 10-year-old all-star girls softball team has so far posted 6-2 record in the Tri-County League and is preparing for next week’s playoffs in South Plainfield.
Thirteen players make up the roster for a team that has competed in tournaments in Ewing, North Brunswick and Monroe in addition to the 10-game regular season that will finish this week. The team has played in 12 tournament games in a three-week period facing nationally ranked teams.
"We rountinely face teams that are together year-round, with pitchers that throw the ball 50-60 mph," said Coach Jeff O’Brien. "The experience that our girls have gained in tournament play on weekends definitely gives us an advantage for league games that are played during the week."
Jenny Purchase, former softball player at Brown University and assistant coach at South Brunswick High School, conducts weekly clinics. Rick Chromey, girls’ softball coach at Crossroads School, works works with the team on batting and fielding techniques and provides assistance in the dugout during games. Mike Littlejohn is the pitching coach and Paul Heller and Phil Tagariello are responsible for first- and third-base coaching duties during games.
The players are Krista Belick, Stephanie Castillo, Samantha Chromey, Jordan Confessorre, Alix Connolly, Nicole Elia, Rachel Gurney, Samantha Heller, Emily Littlejohn, Erin O’Brien, Jen Sisco, Courtney Stevens and Bianca Tagariello.
