Host Final Four beginning Saturday
By: Justin Feil
Mike Shevlin had hoped that his team would go through Pool B of the District 12 softball tournament unbeaten, but even he didn’t expect it to be this easy.
Shevlin’s 12-year-old all-stars from West Windsor averaged more runs per game, 15.75, in going 4-0 than two NFL teams averaged in points per game last fall.
"We don’t like to run up the score," said Shevlin, whose team used an 11-run third inning to trounce Washington, 19-5, in four innings Wednesday. "We try to hold up the girls, but they stole a few bases themselves. They’re just 12-year-old girls and they get a little anxious and go."
And Wednesday, everybody got into the act in what’s become a sort of theme for West Windsor’s District 12 run. Going 4-0 gives earns them the chance to play the loser of Wednesday’s other Pool finale, between Bordentown and Lawrence, 6 p.m. Saturday.
Either one will be trying to cool off a West Windsor offense that’s been as hot as the recent weather.
"It gets boring when we score a lot," said Molly Shevlin, who had three hits and four runs batted in against Washington. "But it’s still fun. We don’t think about (scoring a lot). We just think we’ll win and we do."
West Windsor will be shooting for its first District 12 title since 1999, and this double elimination Final Four promises to be a little more special because it will be hosted at the R.J. Ward Complex, where they play their home games. West Windsor already played two of its pool games there, and hopes it has to play just three more for a championship.
With a win Saturday, West Windsor would play 6 p.m. Sunday. A loss would force them to a 3:30 p.m. game Sunday. But no one from West Windsor is even considering a loss, especially after rolling through the pool play.
"I think we’re in good shape with the way the girls are hitting and fielding and their overall camaraderie," the elder Shevlin said. "Coming into the tournament, I thought Bordentown was the hands down favorite. But I think they’ll have their hands full with us.
"What I didn’t expect was so many runs, but these girls can hit. I kept 14 girls, and they’re all good hitters. We have girls who aren’t starting who would bat three or four on other teams, I’m sure."
West Windsor demonstrated its firepower Wednesday. After Washington posted two runs in the top of the first inning only the second time in the District 12 tournament this summer that West Windsor has trailed a team they scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Then, in the second inning, they added another four runs in response to a third run from Washington. In the third inning, they preyed on Washington mistakes and created opportunities by putting the ball in play.
In all, West Windsor finished with 13 hits. In addition to Shevlin’s four RBIs, which included the runs that opened West Windsor’s first 10-run lead Wednesday, Kelsey Rothera contributed three RBIs as well.
"We have really fast runners and they can bunt really well," said Danielle Parisi, who helped anchor the West Windsor defense with a double play from second base. "Our big people can hit really well and they can get around the bases. It helps us a lot."
It helped also that Washington’s ace pitcher, who also plays travel softball with many of the WW players, had already pitched in two games. That left the visitors in a bind against a team that can hit the strongest pitchers well.
"We’re always like this," said the younger Shevlin. "A lot of us play travel, and other teams don’t, so we have more experience. But it’s still challenging."
The greater experience still showed most glaringly on the scoreboard. West Windsor managed to score double digits in every game, and its closest contest came against New Egypt, which was scheduled to face Princeton in a late game Wednesday night. West Windsor expects tougher competition in the Final Four.
"Bordentown is always a challenge for us," said Shevlin, who also plays first base and pitches for WW. "We’ve always had close scores with them. We’re confident."
That confidence should be boosted by one of the keys for West Windsor, according to Shevlin.
"The support we get from everyone," she said. "Our parents and our friends come and they cheer for us."
They’ll be there in even greater numbers with R.J. Ward hosting the Final Four. West Windsor is happy to take any advantage it can get in its run at the district championship. It’s already benefited from a talented team that’s been hitting on all cylinders.
"It’s been two and a half weeks of tremendous practice," said Mike Shevlin, whose squad also never allowed more than five runs in any game. "I’ve been with them since they were nine, and they’re great to work with. I’ve said it’s going to be a sad day when it ends. I’m glad we’re still playing and I hope we keep playing for a while.
"All this is an indicative of all the good coaching they’ve gotten and all the help from playing for their travel teams, and the clinics they’ve gone to in the winter and the individual lessons. The kids have been dedicated."
In the end, West Windsor is hoping that it will be enough to earn them their first district title in three years, and it’s hoping to do so in front of a home-town crowd.
"Everyone in town lives close and it’s a great community for softball," Shevlin said. "I saw people here that don’t have girls on the team anymore, just out to cheer for them. It’s the spirit of the town. This town gets behind the girls.
"And right now, they’re on cloud nine. Hopefully it keeps going for a long time. It’s been a great experience so far."
And it’s not over yet.