League participation has grown more than 35 percent over last few years.
By:
The Washington Township Little League (WTLL) Softball program has recently completed one of the finest seasons in recent memory across all age groups.
Over the last few years the league has grown by over 35 percent, providing instruction, team oriented interaction and an environment for development across all levels of ability. The use of the batting facility has assisted the program greatly in that it allows for clinics in hitting, fielding and pitching both in season and during the cold winter months. As a result the level of play has improved from top to bottom providing a more challenging environment for all.
This past year the league was composed of two teams at the 11 and 12 year old level, three teams at the 9 and 10 year old level and three teams at the 7 and 8 year old level. In addition, there was a very active instructional league (tee-ball) for 5 and 6 year olds that for the first time was large enough to be exclusively for girls. As in previous years, the teams traveled to other towns during the course of the season and in doing so played against programs of varying ability and competitiveness.
In tournament play, Washington started with a second-place finish in the U-9 Bordentown event. This team was coached by Rick, Leach, Joe Gaynor and Joel Anker. The players on the team were Carina Fleming, Claire Haeuptle, Eryn Gaynor, Gabrielle Leach, Jackie Lazzaro, Kasey Homan, Kristina Biscardi, Lauren Hunter, Melissa Baier, Melissa Ferrona, Nicole Piet, Rachel Stepien, and Selena Anker.
The U-12 squad went 2-2 in its pool in the District 12 Tournament, only losing to teams that place among the top three in the event.
Lead by the strong pitching performances of Amy Diefenbach and Megan Leach, Washington pulled off wins against both Princeton and Allentown. This performance gave the 2002 WTLL U12 All-Stars one of the best District finishes in quite a while. Manager Dee Taylor and her coaching staff of Don Demkovitz, Jim Jones and Phil Francisco had the team prepared and at peak performance. The players were Megan Leach, Amy Diefenbach, Stephanie Jones, Fallon Jenner, Dani Demkovitz, Rene Francisco, Laura Greb, Emilie Taylor, Katie Noonan, Priscilla Fowler, and Amy Greubel.
Next our U10 team carried the WTLL banner into District competition. This team of combined 10 and 9 year olds won three of their first four games to move into the championship round of double elimination. In the Championship they came up against the best the District had to offer losing to West Windsor and Millstone, who will finish 1st and 2nd respectively. Lead by Manager Charles Haeuptle and his coaching staff, of George Lesenskyj, Kevin Fleming, Joe Gaynor and Barry Haftel his team has set the bar for all future District Campaigns by finishing a strong third place in one of the more solid softball districts in the state.
The third-place Washington Township Squad was composed of the following players: Alexa Lesenskyj, Allison Haftel, Emily Rivers, Jenna Lazarro, Claire Haeuptle, Carina Fleming, Jessica Petroni, Jillian Brown, Eryn Gaynor, Ashley DeAngelis, Kellye Statz, and Emily Magsamen.