By Jashvina Shah, Special Writer
ROBBINSVILLE — West Windsor Little League 12-year-old all-star manager Harlan Greenman stood near the mound on Tantum Park on Wednesday night, commending every player on his 12s squad.
”Jackie Cai,” Greenman said, addressing one of the team’s newest members, “With your speed you leave me in the dust all the time. I can’t even see you.”
Greenman continued praising each girl individual until they stepped close to the mound to receive their second-place pins. At the end Greenman was handed the District 12 runner up trophy for making it to the championship game, where they fell 11-1 to Robbinsville in five innings.
The game was much closer than the final score implies, capping off a strong tournament for West Windsor. The team dropped its first game 10-1 to none other than Robbinsville.
The loss was enough to send West Windsor into the losers bracket and upset the girls, but not enough to keep them from bouncing back.
”The team was in disarray before, during and after the first game,” Greenman said. “They redoubled their efforts and they did the hard work, which is how they got back here on this field tonight.”
West Windsor was never given much of a chance against the pre-tournament favorite Robbinsville squad, but the red-and-green team came very close to lighting up Robbinsville pitcher Megan Kratz multiple times.
Greenman’s team put two or more runners on base in four out of five innings, including two innings where they jammed the bases full. They were aided by defensive errors and walks but were unable to capitalize.
But West Windsor’s effort prompted Robbinsville manager Keith Motusesky to call the game his squad’s toughest challenge of the tournament.
”It was 5-1 and West Windsor had the bases loaded in the first inning, but even in the fourth inning, too,” Motusesky said, referring to West Windsor’s constant pressure. “In the first inning they had the bases loaded and we were able to hold them without any runs and then it was 5-1 and they had the bases loaded and we were able to get out of two jams.”
Jackie Markisz was the only West Windsor batter to drive home a run on Wednesday, but she was just one of several players who sparked scoring chances.
The fourth inning benefited from good at bats from Maddy Gastomski and Megan Kramer, both of whom walked. Lauren Hausheer and Catie Raeter also recorded hits.
Kratz was too good on the mound for Robbinsville while West Windsor’s defense failed to back up pitcher Raeter.
”Tonight, Robbinsville deserved it,” Greenman said. “They played better and you don’t take anything away from the team that comes out and plays better than you do.”
Despite culminating in a loss, the tournament still held positives for the West Windsor squad.
”I would say it was a combination of the moments when they were able to put together four wins and jell into a team,” Greenman said. “Because that’s what they did not start as and it’s where they ended up.”
Following the team theme, Greenman wouldn’t single out the best players of the tournament.
”I just don’t want to do that,” Greenman said. “They’re all so wonderful and that’s what I preach is team, team, team. They are 11 girls who are truly a team.”
They aren’t just a team of girls for Greenman. They resemble more of a family Greenman isn’t certain he’ll leave next year.
”They are begging me to come back and manage a travel team next year,” Greenman said. “I don’t even have a kid on this team. I don’t know if I’m going to do it. But I do know that I love all of them to death. My kid aged out and they asked me to come back this year because they needed a manager. And I thought they were nuts and I thought I was nuts for doing it and my family thinks I’m nuts but I’m here anyway so what does that tell you?”

