The Lincroft 11-and-Under Little League softball team advanced to the state tournament after winning the District 19 pennant last month.
Lincroft faced off against Middletown in the three-team District 19 tournament. In the second game between the two teams, Middletown evened the series with the help of some terrific plays in the field. But it wasn’t enough to change the course of the series, as Lincroft won the rubber match, 8-2, on July 28.
“Middletown did a great job playing defense in the second game. We hit the ball pretty well, but they made the plays,” Lincroft 11U manager Ray Russo said, adding that Lincroft scored three runs and had the tying run on base in their final turn at bat.
“The girls were extremely focused before that last game,” he added. “I told them that we had to bring a lot of energy to the game, and they came ready to play.”
The Lincroft 11U team is familiar with the territory, since a number of its players were part of the District 19 10U softball champions last year.
“Most of the girls knew what to expect, and they were able to lead the team and make some of the other girls comfortable,” said Russo, who managed last year’s Lincroft 10U team.
Lincroft continued to hit well in the first game of the state tournament, defeating Robbinsville, 8-3, on
Monday night. Games are scheduled each night during the double-elimination tournament. With the victory on Monday night, Lincroft guaranteed itself a chance to play at least two more games in a state tournament that also features teams from Hammonton and
Pequannock.
Lincroft’s continued success does not surprise Russo, who said that he expected the team to win with its combination of pitching and defense.
“We put the ball in play a lot, and we put the pressure on the other team to make the plays,” Russo added. “Nothing came as a big surprise.”
The Lincroft 11U softball team consists of Sophie Sapp, Abby Margulis, Morgan Russo, Josie Larkins, MadisonMittenzwei, Carly Belz, Jessica Romanelli, Sidney Marjamaa, Vincenza Villali, Rebecca Mc- Sherry and Alexandra Balsamo.
The state tournament, which is being held at Lincroft’s Little League fields, will conclude with the championship game scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m.