Depth, teamwork key for Bordentown 11s

Getting it done together

By: Bob Nuse – The Packet Group
The recipe for success for the Bordentown Little League 11-year-old softball all-stars has been a simple one.
Pitch well. Field well. Get some timely hitting. Come away a winner.
So far that recipe has worked to near perfection, as Bordentown went into Wednesday night’s scheduled championship game just one win away from a state tournament title.
"Our two wins in the state tournament have been pretty similar," Bordentown manager Mark Mabin said after his team defeated Northfield, 6-1, Monday night to advance to the state championship game. "We’ve pitched very well, played great defense and had some big hits when we needed them. The pitching and defense have really carried the team so far."
Robbinsville opened the state tournament in Manchester with a 6-0 win over Tri Boro on Saturday, then came back with Monday’s win over Northfield. Those two teams were to meet on Tuesday night, with the winner scheduled to face Bordentown for the state title on Wednesday. If Bordentown were to lose on Wednesday, the same two teams would come back to play tonight in the final game with the winner taking the state title.
"The whole thing has really been a lot of fun everyone," Mabin said. "Some families have had to change their vacation plans, but I think they have all enjoyed the experience."
Alexis Goeke picked up the win on the mound in the opener, tossing a one-hitter. The whole lineup contributed to the offense, with the only downside to the game being an injury to Julia Tarpley that will keep her out of the tournament the rest of the way.
On Sunday, Amelia Ditolvo was the winning pitcher, getting plenty of offensive support from Anna Price (home run), Mikayla Dively (double), Goeke and Alex Zulla.
"It was a little different (on Monday) because the other pitcher threw a lot slower than we were used to," Mabin said. "You get used to seeing pitches that are 40-50 miles per hour and she was throwing about 10 or 15. I think by the third time through the lineup the girls had their timing down and we started to catch up to it.
"We scored the runs we needed. But really, the pitching and the defense have been what we are riding to the wins."
As the only team to come through the first portion of the double-elimination tournament without a loss, Bordentown now needs to win just once in two games to claim the state title. At the 11-year-old level there is no regional tournament, so this will be the end of the line for the team win or lose.
"It’s been great for the girls," Mabin said. "It is also nice to see that we have a team where all the girls contribute. We’re not relying on one or two players to do everything for us. Every one of the players contributes at the right time or at their time."
And all of those contributions might just lead to a state championship.
"At the beginning we had to decide if we wanted to play in the 12-year-old tournaments or play with the 11s," Mabin said. "All of the girls on this team are 11, so they will all be back next year together as 12s. This was a good chance to give them a taste of what these tournaments are like and to see what they could do.
"It’s been a long summer, but we’ve played a lot of softball and it has been a good experience for the girls."