New catcher helps Robbinsville close in on title
By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
It’s days in the recent heat wave that make Shea Walsh question moving to catcher.
”I get really hot,” said the Robbinsville 10-year-old all-star. “I think this has been the hottest I’ve had so far.”
Walsh and her Robbinsville teammates have remained the picture of cool as they won their first two games of the New Jersey state tournament at Cherry Hill Atlantic Little League to move into the final that was scheduled for Monday. Robbinsville made quick work of its first two opponents with identical 15-1 wins over Parsippany-Troy Hills West on Friday and Swedesboro-Woowich on Saturday.
”I’m a little surprised about the scores in the victory, but not surprised we’re doing well,” said Robbinsville manager Anthony Manto, whose team was to take on Swedesboro in the title game. “The kids continue to practice hard, and practice well. We continue to pitch well and play really, really good defense. That’s sort of been the recipe all along. The hitting has been the bonus.”
Defense is something that Manto has been preaching all summer. It’s paying off as Robbinsville doesn’t need many runs to back the pitching of Alexa Petito and Chelsea Manto. They have solid defense behind them with Ashley Veisz at third, Manto, at shortstop when she doesn’t pitch, Amanda Allen or Olivia Moser at second base, Sara Toscano at first, Allie Taylor or Ava Dominguez in left field, Emily Rubino in center field and Grace Maslak in right field.
”My coach talks about defense all the time,” Walsh said. “Defense is to us the game. Our coach makes us work really hard on it.”
The Robbinsville defense couldn’t be as solid without Walsh, who moved from shortstop to catcher this year.
”I was scared I wasn’t going to block the ball or I was going to get hurt,” Walsh said. “I feel more comfortable back there now because of my practice and my pitchers.
”It’s a lot of work, but once you start to get the hang of it and practice really hard, you figure out the basics of catching. It gets easier as you go along.”
Walsh was willing to give the position a try to help the team. Robbinsville has reaped the rewards of her unselfishness.
”She’s really done a great job,” her manager said. “She knows the importance of it. She has worked hard to become a great catcher. She has a great arm and people can’t steal on us. You can’t put a value on that. She’s really handled the pressure very well.”
With each game, Walsh is more comfortable and more confident at catcher. And she’s having more fun, save for some of the hottest days ever on record.
”I like it because I help my team a lot,” Walsh said. “I get a lot of action which I know I can handle.”