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ROBBINSVILLE: Petito pitches Robbinsville to title

Softball 10s repeat as champ

By Jashvina Shah, Special Writer
   WEST WINDSOR — Despite not pitching her best against West Windsor earlier in the tournament, Robbinsville’s Alexa Petito was never worried about taking the mound at the RJ Ward Complex as Robbinsville’s 10s softball squad fought for another District 12 title.
   Petito helped her own cause offensively last week in West Windsor, batting in two runs with Ashley Veisz and Amanda Allen. The team exploded for four runs off West Windsor pitcher Dillanie Sumanthiran in the fourth inning en-route to their 10-0, fifth-inning victory.
   But it was pitching that cemented Robbinsville’s second-straight District 12 title, as Petito struck out seven and allowed one hit.
   ”It always goes back to pitching,” manager Mark Walsh said. “If we pitch well, and it starts with Alexa, we’re going to be a tough team to beat. She’s clearly one of the best pitchers in the state and if she pitches well we’re going to be a good team.”
   West Windsor still provided a tough challenge for Robbinsville, Walsh said. Petito walked two batters in the second inning, giving West Windsor their only runner in scoring position on the night. She was able to maneuver out of the inning without allowing a run.
   It was just another win for a team trying to repeat its regional-winning performance from the previous year.
   ”I think the girls accept the pressure,” said Walsh, whose team began the Section 3 tournament on Monday in Marlboro. “This is a group of girls that have now been playing softball together for three or four years so their expectation is to win district, sectionals, states and the to go out to Fleetville, Pennsylvania to see what we can do again.”
   The squad is also returning seven players from the previous team, creating a bond that has helped Robbinsville dominate the competition. There’s a bond between two player in particular that has allowed Robbinsville to thrive.
   ”It really starts with our pitcher and our catcher,” Walsh said. “They’ve pitched together for a long time. To develop that chemistry and that trust in one another is special. If we pitch and catch well, we’re going to be tough to beat.”Petito and her catcher, Shae Walsh, have done more than just play together for years.
   ”Me and my catcher, Shae, are really close friends and whenever I’m doing badly she helps me,” Petito said. “Since we’re really close she can tell me what she’s doing and what I’m doing wrong and we help each other.”
   The winning pitcher’s performance was different from her last start against West Windsor, a game she called Robbinsville’s toughest challenge of the District 12 Tournament.
   ”No one was hitting off (Sumanthiran) and a lot of people were struggling against her and a lot of people were striking out,” Petito said. “I wasn’t really pitching that good that game and we just had a slump.”
   Petito altered her training regiment to enhance her performance following that contest against West Windsor.
   ”My mom gave me this ball to help strengthen my circle and pitch better so I can get it down the plate more,” Petito said. “I’ve been working on stretching and reaching for my circle.”
   The work paid off as Petito didn’t allow a hit until two batters were already down in the fifth inning. It was West Windsor’s only hit of the game, compared to Robbinsville’s 12 hits.
   ”Pitching and defense and the ability to put the ball in play offensively,” Walsh said of Robbinsville’s keys to winning. “If we continue to do that we’re going to be tough to beat.”