By: Kyle Moylan
When Ron Ailey managed the 10-year-olds two years ago, Washington placed third in the District 12 Softball Tournament.
Last year the 12-year-olds managed to place second to West Windsor in the District 12 Little League Tournament.
Washington, for sure, will be in the mix again as the District 12 Softball Tournament for 12-year-olds starts on Wednesday. What remains to be seen is if Ailey’s girls can win it all.
"That’s our goal," Ailey noted. "That’s always our goal. We want to play well and advance. The problem is West Windsor is always in the way."
The irony is West Windsor is what has to be classified as a very friendly rivalry. Several of the girls on both teams play travel softball together. But while they will team up to take care of other softball teams, first West Windsor and Washington have to worry about each other and the other teams in the District 12 field.
Washington is in a pool with Bordentown and Millstone. It will open play on Wednesday when it hosts Bordentown in an 8 p.m. start.
"After our 10’s and the Junior team won the district and state titles last year, you have that little added pressure," Ailey noted. "Our 12’s have never made it out of districts. We want to be the first to do that."
Ailey will have 11 girls on the team, including his daughter Nicole.
Nicole Ailey is a pitcher and second baseman. In addition to being the number one pitcher, she is also the leadoff hitter.
"Hopefully she can get on base and jump start the team," Ailey said.
Erin Wojton is also a pitcher and second baseman.
"She (Wojton) is a definite spark plug," Ailey said.
Kerry Curran is the team’s first baseman. She will be the team’s cleanup hitter.
"(Curran) gets more powerful every year," Ailey said. "She’s really hitting the ball."
Nicki Francisco is a catcher/third baseman. She offers a combination of speed and power. Ailey likes the fact that having her behind the plate will limit the other team’s stealing.
Claire Speranza plays third base. She also swings a very powerful bat and will be counted on as a run producer.
Jessica Oszvart is an outfielder/catcher. Noted Ailey, "she’s a good outfielder that can hit."
Christine Levering is the team’s shortstop.
"(Levering) can get on base and steal a lot," Ailey said. "She will also anchor the infield."
Jamie Migliaccio plays the outfielder. In addition to being a good fielder, she is a contact hitter with a very high on-base percentage.
Ali Valentin is a speedy center fielder. She uses that speed to bunt for hits and run down almost anything in the outfield.
Taylor Ponti, according to Ailey, "is a very strong hitter that will help out in the outfield."
Alana Hopkins is an outfielder/third baseman that is new to the team. Ailey is excited by what he’s seen from her so far, though.
Ponti, Valentin, Speranza and Wojton were all part of the 10-year-old state champs from last season. Of course, their teammates would love to find out for themselves what a state championship is like by the end of the summer.
Phil Francisco is Ailey’s coach. John Ponti, John Speranza and Brian Wojton will also help out with the team. And from early indications, this is a great team to be a part of.

