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ROBBINSVILLE: Robbinsville softball wins WS title

By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
   The Robbinsville Little League 12-year-old all-star softball team had not faced many tough situations in the World Series.
   In the championship, however, their opponents, the Southwest representatives from Louisiana, scored one run and had the bases loaded with the potential tying run with two outs in the top of the third inning against the East champions. Louisiana’s Brooklyn Brandon drove the ball on a line to right field, where Devon Witt took a few strides back and caught it at head level.
   ”I just thought I had to catch it, because if I didn’t, runs would score and the ending score would probably have been 3-4,” said Witt, the Robbinsville right fielder. “The score would have changed.”
   It was the start of 10 straight outs for pitcher Mackenzie Medders and the Robbinsville defense as they went on to celebrate their 4-1 win, the first in Robbinsville Little League history, last Wednesday.
   ”It’s so amazing thinking we’re the best team in the world,” Witt said. “Everyone in Robbinsville has treated us with so much respect.”
   Parents and townspeople were there to greet the players and coaches when the team returned on a red-eye flight last week. Signs in Robbinsville celebrate the team’s accomplishments.
   ”It hasn’t hit me that we won the World Series,” Witt said. “It’s been so amazing.”
   Robbinsville had sent two previous teams to the World Series, and they had come close to winning the title. This year’s group finally earned the long-awaited championship.
   ”I think it’s amazing how a lot of teams from Robbinsville went out there,” Witt said. “It shows how good Robbinsville is at softball. To be the first ones to win, it shows how well Robbinsville has evolved with softball.”
   This summer’s Robbinsville contingent went 22-0 in Little League play. Their final two wins came on ESPN with the country watching. Robbinsville finished off its semifinal matchup with Tallmadge, Ohio, in five innings, 11-1. Alexa Petito had two hits and three RBI, and Robbinsville took advantage of six walks and four errors.
   In the final, after a scoreless first inning with Amanda Allen making all three put outs at shortstop, Medders walked to start the Robbinsville first inning. Sarah Mazalewski served as a special runner for her and Shea Walsh bunted her way on. Allen singled in the hole at shortstop to load the bases. Olivia Moser worked a walk to drive in one run, Petito grounded out to drive home another run, then Allie Taylor drove home another run with a fourth scoring on an error.
   ”I thought four runs was enough to win the game,” said Robbinsville manager Mark Walsh. “Obviously you want to score more. I trusted our pitcher all year. Our defense has gotten better every day. That’s tough to do. The left side of infield played well, so did second base and right field made a nice catch.
   ”I had a lot of respect for that team,” he added. “They were a quality team and well coached. We didn’t hit the ball great, but their pitcher had a good game. We had enough to win the game.”
   Petito and Allen have been strong all year on the left side of Robbinsville’s infield, and Taylor made all the plays at second base. Witt came up with one of the hardest hit balls of the game.
   ”It’s a ball that has to be caught,” Walsh said. “We threw a good pitch there. We were pitching that girl outside. I think the pitch got a little up on us. It has to be caught. It was a big catch, but the expectation was for it to be caught.”
   Witt was happy to do her job for the team. She has embraced being an outfielder for the all-stars.
   ”The outfield, it’s less pressure,” she said. “It’s easier to make plays, not having all the weight on your shoulders.”
   With Louisiana hanging around in striking distance and the Robbinsville offense slowing down, it remained a tighter game than any other they had in the World Series. Medders permitted just six hits and walked none while leaving the rest to her defense.
   ”It’s really exciting, but really nerve-wracking,” Witt said. “It’s such a close game. Any mistake can change the entire outcome.”
   Mistakes were few and far between over Robbinsville’s summer run. It came from hours on the practice field together, and it paid off in a world title.
   ”I’ve said all along, it’s always about the girls,” Walsh said. “They’re out there working hard and putting in the time to make themselves better players. It’s nice to share with them.”
   The entire trip will forever be remembered by the Robbinsville team. It was their second straight trip to the World Series, and eight of the players from last year returned again this year.
   ”I think it helped,” Walsh said. “To do something like this, it’s a process. You don’t just go out and do something like this without putting in the work. It made it a little easier. We knew what to expect. We knew how to handle ourselves off the field. We also knew we had a great team that had a chance to win the tournament. It worked out that way.”
   When it was all over, Walsh was able to celebrate with his team and coaches. Shortly after the game ended, Walsh’s daughter Shea jumped into his arms for a big hug in one of the sweetest moments caught on camera.
   ”I wish every father had the chance to coach their kid and experience the moment with their daughter,” Walsh said. “I push her hard and demand a lot out of her. It was a great moment.”
   Everywhere across the field, the team rejoiced together after reaching their goal. Witt was one of the new players to reach the World Series this year. She soaked in everything.
   ”It’s such an amazing experience,” she said. “It’s hard to get through your head that you’re playing teams from around the world, like the Czech Republic and Philippines. It’s really amazing.”
   Witt certainly will remember the outcome of the final, but she will also remember the time spent together over the week and the activities that they were able to participate in, particularly the Challenge game for special needs children.
   ”Seeing how we take it for granted,” Witt said, “And seeing how they play.”
   Robbinsville was impressive in how it played throughout the summer. It continually showed its maturity in handling any situation thrown its way. Their practice steeled them to deal with the pressure.
   ”I thought we played well,” Walsh said. “You’re asking girls to play beyond their years and they did that.
   ”I think they’ve grown as players, but they’re still kids, which is kind of the Little League spirit. They’re really competitive. I can’t say a lot of girls have given up their summer for something like this. They had a purpose.”
   The World Series title was a goal from the outset with so many players back from last year’s group that finished third overall. Robbinsville kept its focus on its game at hand throughout its trip, but in the end, it was able to celebrate achieving its goal and an historic title.
   ”We know there’s a tradition of quality softball in Robbinsville,” Walsh said. “We’re happy to be a part of it, and hopefully continue a tradition going forward.”