By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
The West Windsor-Cranbury-Plainsboro 11-year-old all-star softball team won a state championship the way any team would want to win a state title — with contributions from the whole roster.
”It was a total team effort,” said manager Karen Kelly, whose team captured the state championship with a 9-6 win over Elmer Little League on Sunday in Secaucus. “Our subs delivered RBIs and hits when they went in the game. Everyone did their part. We really enjoyed our experience. We had a terrific support and turnout at states with family and friends. It was wonderful.”
WW-C-P was the only 11-year-old team in District 12, which gave the team a berth in the Section 3 tournament which it hosted at West Windsor Little League. At sectionals, the team met up with Manchester Little League and won both games in the best-of-three series to claim the section crown.
WW-P-C opened the sectionals with a 9-1 win as Kate Kelly tossed a one-hitter. The next night Kelly came through with a second one-hitter in the clinching win. Kaleigh McCarron had four hits in the clincher, while catcher Kaitlyn St. Amour added three hits.
With the sectional title in hand, WW-C-P advanced to the three-team double-elimination state finals. In the opener, Kelly fired a no-hitter in a 14-1 win over Rockaway. In the clincher, Kelly allowed just one hit in a 9-6 win over Elmer. Offensively, Kelly drove in four runs, while St. Amour led the 11-hit attack with four hits.
”Our pitching was strong,” said Karen Kelly. “Kate had two one-hitters in section and a no-hitter and a one-hitter at states. In the final games she had some walks and they had some baserunners. What I loved about states and sectionals was that our offense was terrific. In the two state games we had 20 hits and most of the players delivered a hit. That was wonderful.”
The players came together as a group as the West Windsor and C-P players combined into one strong unit.
”The girls had played together in the past,” Kelly said. “C-P has combined with West Windsor for fall ball and clinics and also all-stars for two years. The kids go to school together and know each other from travel ball. So there was no concern about the girls gelling.”
The team members from West Windsor were Olivia Bernheisel, Maddie Holmes, Lauren Killackey, Christina Kim, Kaity Mattia, McCarron, Allie Rome and St. Amour. The C-P players were Kelly, Sophia D’Ovidio, Kate Liggio, Emily Matcham and Kylee Tucholski.
The coaches along with Kim Kelly were Paul St. Amour and Ray Tucholski.
”We have been practicing together since June so the girls were prepared,” Kelly said. “Five of our girls play travel ball. Some of them play different sports. It is a well-rounded group and it allowed a bunch of girls that don’t normally get a chance to play at a highly competitive level a chance to play.
”Some of the girls do soccer and some do dance and other sports. They really enjoyed the experience and I think it was a lot of fun for everyone from the players to the coaches to the families who came all the way to Secaucus and really supported us so well.”
Next year the team will move up to the 12-year-old level, where hopefully they can enjoy the same sort of successful summer they enjoyed this time.
”That is the plan,” Kelly said. “That would be great. This is such a competitive area for Little League softball. Robbinsville is in the World Series again this year. East Windsor is always strong. It is very competitive and a nice challenge for the girls.”
