WTLL softball 10’s close to repeat

By: Kyle Moylan
The number of hits the Washington 10-year-old softball team allowed in the Section 3 Tournament is debatable.
   The fact that Washington was clearly the best team isn’t.
   Washington defeated Middletown, 10-0, to win the Section 3 Tournament. Following a perfect game by teammate Julie Borowski the previous time out, Paige Motusesky was the star of this game.
   "It was either a no-hitter or a one-hitter," Washington Manager Peter Hayes noted of Motusesky’s gem on the mound. "People had it scored differently. One ball got through the infield, but I’m not sure how it was officially scored."
   The win for Motusesky and Washington, however, was very official. It put Washington into the Final Four of the state of New Jersey. Washington was scheduled to begin action in that tournament this past Monday as it tries to repeat as state champions.
   "I’m very comfortable with Paige on the mound," Borowski said. "She doesn’t get rattled. She knows how to stay under control. Even if she gets down in the count, Paige doesn’t fold. It’s easy to come apart out there with everyone watching you and screaming out things. I don’t know if I could handle it if I was a 10-year-old. It’s tough enough in the dugout."
   Motusesky not only paced the Washington attack on defense, she also had a tremendous offensive game. Motusesky had two hits and three RBI. She had a run-scoring triple in the first and a two-run double in the second.
   Motusesky was one of 10 different Washington players with a hit in the game. Leanna Gearhart (who threw out two runners trying to steal as the Washington catcher) had three hits and scored two runs. Borowski had a double, run scored and RBI. Jessica Samel had two hits and two RBI. Kellie Hodson had a hit. Megan Hevey had a hit and two runs scored. Julia Kardos had a hit, run scored and RBI. Olivia Armstrong had a hit and RBI. Jamie Lazzaro had a hit and run scored. Emily Risoldi had a hit, RBI and run scored.
   "The girls were excited to win Section 3," Borowski said. "They were excited, but they also were ready to get back to work. They had a couple of days off and then it was time to get ready for the state Final Four."
   Washington is in the Final Four with Pequannock, Harrison and Roberto Clemente Little League.
   Borowski is expecting the state tournament to be much more challenging for his team than the Section 3 Tournament. But Borowski is also very aware that any team which emerges from District 12 is already doing pretty good.
   "Even last year when Washington won the state title, getting out of District 12 was the toughest part of it," Borowski said. "If you get out of District 12, you’re a good team. It also means you’re battled hardened because you’ve already been up against a lot of good teams. But Pequannock and the other teams are really good and are also looking to win."
   So the team with the burden of success and talent still has to work to do before Borowski can take a big sigh of relief.
   "I’m not relaxed, but that’s okay," Borowski said. "I’ll take the pressure just so long as the girls can relax and have some fun. I’ll be relaxed when the states are over."