By: Ken Weingartner
EDISON As the players on the Monroe Township High School softball team rushed to the middle of the field to celebrate the program’s first Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament title Monday at Middlesex County College, the song "We Are the Champions" was pumped through the speakers at the field.
It was a fitting tribute, although Sister Sledge’s "We Are Family," made famous by the 1979 world champion Pittsburgh Pirates, might have been more appropriate. The Falcons were a close-knit group and their chemistry played a vital role in their success, as much as their talent.
"Since the preseason, I knew we’d go far," junior pitcher Carly Keane said. "I didn’t know we’d go this far, but I knew we’d go farther than last year because this team, all around, one through nine, is great. It’s the chemistry. We’re all best friends on the field and off the field. The chemistry is just awesome. Chemistry means everything on a team. I was really confident."
Perhaps nothing can be more important on a team than players having confidence in each other. That poise was on display in the championship game as Monroe struggled with its fielding and getting timely hits in the early innings against South Plainfield.
"Our nerves were there a little bit, but I wasn’t really worried. I knew we could pull through," junior shortstop Lindsey Curran said. "I’m really happy for our team. I really wanted to win this for our seniors, Mai’Lee (Paselio) and Marissa (Allamby). I’m so excited. I’m really overwhelmed."
Monroe was 14-12 last season. The Falcons exited Monday’s GMCT title game at 21-3.
Courtney Baron and Paselio both drove in two runs with doubles in Monroe’s 5-1 championship win while Kelsey Schobert had an RBI single. Paselio, Keane, Schobert, Sarah Gibbons, and Andrea Carini each scored one run.
Seven Falcons contributed to the team’s 12-hit attack.
"We’re like a big family," Paselio said. "The bonds we had with each other made this special. We all hang out with each other; it’s not cliques. We’ve never had a fight. We believe in being good to each other. It makes it more fun. It’s a huge difference.
"This means a lot. It means everything."
Like the old saying goes, family is everything.

