Borowski wins final
By: Kyle Moylan
As the new manager of a defending state championship team, Peter Borowski felt the pressure.
After the Washington 10-year-old softball team moved a step closer to defending that title with a 9-2 win over Florence on Tuesday night at home in the District 12 title game, however, Borowski was feeling a lot better.
"It’s a different team, but there were still a lot of expectations," Borowski noted. "I was nervous because we were expected to win. Now I can relax a little."
The person taking most of the pressure off of Borowski Tuesday night was daddy’s little girl. Julia Borowski didn’t allow Florence a hit or a baserunner as far as second base until the bottom of the fifth. By then, Washington had a 9-0 lead. Borowski finished with a three-hitter and 13 strikeouts.
Julia Borowski was a member of the state title team last year. The switch from first base to the mound was a big one, though.
"Unless you throw the ball when you’re on the mound, nothing goes on," Borowski noted. "There’s pressure pitching and (trying to repeat as state champions)."
With Borowski holding Florence down, Washington steadily put up runs. Jamie Lazzro drove home the first run with a bases-loaded walk. Leanna Gearhart followed with a sacrifice fly to give Washington a 2-0 lead after two innings. Gearhart and Megan Hevey both had two-run singled in a four-run third.
Rounding out the Washington scoring, Paige Motusesky and Hevey both had sacrifice flies. Borowski added a run-scoring groundout.
Washington will now advance to play in the Section 3 Tournament at Marlboro. Washington will open play with a game 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Washington finished pool play with a 4-0 record, outscoring the opposition 61-3. Washington defeated Cranbury (23-3), West Windsor (15-0), East Windsor (13-0) and New Egypt (10-0).
Washington advanced to the Final Four portion of the District 12 Tournament and defeated Millstone, 12-2, on Friday night behind the pitching of Julia Borowski, who tossed a two-hitter.
This victory put Washington into the winners’ bracket final Saturday night against Florence. Washington won, 5-4.
Paige Motusesky tossed a four-hitter to record the win. She was also 4-for-4 at the plate with two RBI. Jessica Samel added a two-run single.
Florence defeated Millstone, 12-11, on Sunday for the right to face Millstone again in the double-elimination tournament.
The members of Washington’s team are Leanna Gearhart, Julia Borowski, Paige Motusesky, Julia Kardos, Courtney Stahlbrand, Kellie Hodson, Jessica Samel, Megan Hevey, Kaitlin Stahlbrand, Olivia Armstrong, Jamie Lazzaro and Emily Risoldi. Pete Borowski is the manager and Keith Motusesky is his coach.

