Monroe softball team’s dream season hits the Wall

Falcons drop 6-5 heart-breaker to No. 3 team in the state in CJ III championship game

By: Sean Richards
    Even in defeat, the Monroe Township High School softball team was both impressive and heroic.
   Taking on highly-ranked Wall Township in the championship game of the Central Jersey Group III Tournament Friday, Monroe’s amazing season and bid for a first-ever sectional crown finally came to an end in a heartbreaking 6-5 against the Shore Area powerhouse.
   While the greatest season in the history of the program is over, nobody can say the Falcons (23-4) didn’t go down fighting as they threw a big scare into a Wall team most considered a solid favorite.
   In addition to a very emotional week that started with its first Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament championship on Monday and continued with a dramatic rally against West Windsor-Plainsboro-North in the state tournament on Tuesday, Monroe was not at full strength yesterday against Wall.
   The team was without shortstop and leadoff batter Lindsay Curran for "personal reasons,” forcing coach Keith Hudakt to move Andrea Carinni from second to short. Then, third baseman Courtney Baron was knocked out early in the game when she slid into third and suffered a concussion.
   "We had to play with a completely revamped infield after that,” said Hudak. "We had two girls come in and really do a great job for us. Megan Mascali is a freshman, but she played very well at third. And Katie Guidi started at second for us and did well, too.
   "I give the kids all the credit. They handed all the adversity tremendously well.”
   The game against Wall (27-3) got off to a great start as the Falcons built up an early 5-0 lead behind a big hit by catcher Mai’Lee Paselio in a three-run first inning. The Falcons also scored twice in the top of the third.
   Normally, with a pitcher like Carly Keane in the circle, that would be more than enough for Monroe to pick up another victory. But Wall is not your normal team and kept coming at the plate. The result was Monroe’s lead had been cut to 5-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.
   Close, but not close enough.
   Wall tied the score when Margie Margadonna singled and came home on a double by Kristen Miller. Wall then scored the game-winner on a sacrifice fly by Stephanie Sferlazzo, who homered earlier in the game.
   "That’s one of the best hitting teams I’ve seen in my 12 years here,” said Hudak. "I can see why they are ranked No. 3 in the state. "We played good defense, but they kept hitting.
   "It’s a tough loss, but the girls should feel really great about all they accomplished this season.”