Pitching trio makes Bordentown softball 12-year-olds a very competitive squad

Last season, the Bordentown 12-year-old Little League All-Star softball team was very young in some key positions. However, the experience those younger players garnered last year, should make them even better District 12 Tournament players this season.
   ”We have all three of our starting pitchers (Ashley Vastano, Allyson Potts and Robin Antozzeski) from last year’s 12’s returning,” said Bordentown manager Joe Vastano. Vastano, Potts and Antozzeski are all excellent infielders as well. And Potts can catch too.
   This year, don’t be surprised if Vastano doesn’t throw Alexis Wiggley, Allie Millington and Caitlin Nitschmann into the pitching mix too. Furthermore, the ability to play equally well in the outfield or the infield makes Wiggley one of Bordentown’s most versatile players.
   ”She’s just a solid, solid, player,” said Vastano of Wiggley. However, Millington and Nitschmann are also known to flash the leather in the infield.
   Hannah Gavin (outfield), Emilee D’Angelo (outfield), Emily Meszaros (infield/outfield), Angelica Salera (outfield) and Kelly Yanucil (infield/outfield) are all expected to have good tournaments for Bordentown too.
   This season Karen Antozzeski, who has helped out with all-star softball team for years, is Vastano’s assistant coach. Cindy Nitschmann, Jeff Millington, Jeff Meszaros and Tommy Potts are helping out with the practices.
   When Vastano is “on” she can be practically unhittable. But Antozzeski and Potts have also been known to dominate in the circle when all of their pitches are working.
   ”They all pull their weight,” said Vastano. “I like this team just like I like the teams I pick every year.”
   Last year Bordentown made it to the Final Four, but Vastano, who coached the Bordentown 10’s last season, is not making any predictions for this District 12 tournament, not with West Windsor, Florence, New Egypt and Princeton in his team’s pool (Pool A).
   ”We’re always just looking to be competitive and take it from there,” said Vastano, who as a longtime, die-hard Pittsburgh Pirates fan, has learned the value of patience.
   Bordentown, however, would love to advance out of pool play if it can. Bordentown is scheduled to open its tourney with an 8:00 p.m. home game versus West Windsor next Tuesday. On June 26th at 6:00 p.m., Bordentown is scheduled to play Princeton at Florence. Bordentown is scheduled to play New Egypt at West Windsor at 6:00 p.m. on June 27th. Then at noon on June 29th, Bordentown is scheduled to play Florence at Princeton.