Legion team sits in tie for second place
By: Bob Nuse
In years past, having a 15-5 record and sitting in second place in the standings with two games left would have the West Windsor-Plainsboro American Legion team getting ready for state tournament play.
Instead, with just two teams from the Mercer County American Legion League heading to the state tournament this year, it looks like WW-P will spend this coming weekend in a playoff battle for the second of those two spots.
WW-P entered Monday night’s game at Mitchell Davis assured of a spot in the four-team playoffs, but with only a slim chance of catching first-place Bordentown for the league’s automatic berth in the state tournament.
"We started off well at 9-0 and we’ve actually played pretty well all season," said WW-P manager Don Hutchinson, whose team will conclude the regular season with a home game against Hightstown on Wednesday. "Even though we’re only 6-5 since that start, we’ve played some close games. We lost to Hamilton by a run and Broad Street Park by a run. Earlier in the year we were winning some of those games by a run.
"So we’ve been in close games and playing well all season. It’s just that some of the games have not gone our way recently."
At 16-3, Bordentown looks like it is heading to the regular-season league championship and the automatic berth in the states. The next four teams in the standings will play a double-elimination tournament this weekend at Moody Park in Ewing, with the winner advancing to states.
In years past, the MCALL had sent at least three teams to the state tournament. But this year, just two teams from the league will go.
"The league has been so balanced this year, which is what we expected," Hutchinson said. "The playoffs will be a situation where anyone can win it. You have to play four games in four days, so we’ll need our pitching. I know if we win the playoffs and get in, we’ll be a tough team to beat."
Hutchinson has taken WW-P to the state tournament before, and would like to see this year’s group make it there.
"It’s been a fun season," Hutchinson said. "We’re all having a good time and this is an enjoyable group to be around. Hopefully we can have a good last couple of games and then play well in the playoffs."

