Major Girls:
The Major Girls of RGMVM competed valiantly in the Little League District tournament. The girls were defeated 17-16 against Ozone Howard in their third game. The RGMVM girls’ hitting was awesome to say the least, and everyone got into the act slamming the ball all over the field.
Getting it done for RGMVM were Danny Marino, Kelsey Fuchs, Krystil Hofmann, Lucia Cappuccio, Jennifer Conlin, Johanna Rice, Carla Pennolino, Rebecca Tierney, Alexandra DiMarco and Nicole Fellenious.
In the district championship game it was back to great pitching in a battle of young windmill pitchers. Krystil Hofmann took to the hill with visions of a district championship in her grasp. But Ozone Howard took advantage of two RGMVM errors and a timely single to jump out to a 2-0 lead in the first. RGMVM had several opportunities to score through the first few innings but did not capitalize, leaving several runners in scoring position.
Over the middle innings, young Hofmann went through the Ozone Howard lineup like a buzz saw striking out batter after batter. The game stayed tight, 2-1 going into the top of the fifth with one out and a runner on first. Hofmann struck out the hitter, and catcher Lucia Cappuccio fired a strike that looked to everyone in the crowd like a double play; however, the runner was called safe and Ozone Howard scored two controversial runs.
In the bottom of the sixth, the RGMVM girls tried a two-out rally, loading the bases for Fellenious on a full count with power-hitting Kelsey Fuchs on deck. Nicole was called out on a pitch that was in the dirt. The girls gave it their all until the last strike. Krystil Hofmann gave a great pitching performance, striking out 17 batters over six innings.
In-House Playoffs:
Schawaroch Chapels Major Softball World Series Champs
Congratulations to the girls of Schawaroch Chapels for winning the 2003 Major Division Softball World Series. In a marathon weekend of World Series softball, Schawaroch Chapels came out on top of rivals Greater Ridgewood Youth Council two games to one to capture the 2003 title.
In game one, Schawaroch dominated with a supreme pitching performance by ace pitcher Dayna Ferran. In the top of the third inning G.R.Y.C.’s power hitter Johanna Rice hit a homer, but Ferran took control, allowing only one more run to score in the entire game, logging 12 strikeouts in a 10-2 victory. Schawaroch’s big inning came in the bottom of the third, when Amanda Ulati started off the inning with a walk.
Leadoff batter Keara Leong then delivered a smashing single followed by Eva Dimarco to load the bases. Nicole Croquez walked to force in a run and Alexandra Dimarco, Schawaroch’s clean-up batter, slammed in a base-clearing single to drive in two more runs.
Ferran and Sam Freeman followed with RBI singles to give Schawaroch a big six-run lead from which they never looked back. In the sixth inning, young star outfielder Tina Gregoretti came up with a spectacular catch to rob G.R.Y.C.’s Rice of a sure home run. In game two, G.R.Y.C. handed the ball to young star pitcher Madeline Jankowski, who came up with 12 strikeouts of her own.
In a 20-14 victory over Schawaroch, G.R.Y.C. put at least four runs on the board every inning. Leadoff batter Jenna Goldbach was on base every time. G.R.Y.C.’s No. 2 batter, Katherine Postel, was 2-for-4, while Rice came up big with a double in the third. Rebecca Tierney was 3-for-4 with a double in the fifth. Lorraine Finnochiaro was 3-for-4, and Brittany Keehner and Alana Armstrong were both 2-for-4.
Caitlyn Lawlor, Victoria Goldbach and Natalia Pirrone also helped G.R.Y.C. seal the victory by getting on base and scoring runs at the plate. With the series tied at one game apiece, game three would decide the 2003 Major Softball champions. Schawaroch once again handed the ball to Ferran, who did not disappoint, coming up with 11 strikeouts in a tremendous 15-0 shutout.
On offense, Schawaroch’s All-Star players provided the hitting power the team needed to clinch the series. In the second inning, All-Star catcher Olivia Auman made one of her patented defensive plays at the plate to end the inning. She later came to bat in her half of the second and delivered a base-clearing grand slam home run. Alexandra Dimarco, Schawaroch’s All-Star shortstop and third baseman, went 3-for-3, and All-Star first baseman Nicole Croquez came up with a big third-inning grand slam home run.
Liann Palmeri and Katherine Surdi contributed with excellent base running and timely hits. Keara Leong and All–Star Eva Dimarco, Schawaroch’s No. 1 and No. 2 batters, scored four of the teams runs. Big hitter Sam Freeman was 3-for-3, and Ferran assisted her own effort in the first inning with a two-run RBI single. Both teams put on a great performance in the World Series and the sportsmanship displayed in Little League softball was shown when both teams posed together for a World Series photo. A special thanks to all the Major Division volunteers for making 2003 a great softball season.
8-year-old Travel Team goes to Allendale to compete in the Clemente Tournament
The 8-year-old Travel Team traveled to Allendale, N.J. to compete against the best AABC 8-year-old teams in the Regional Roberto Clemente AABC Tournament, with the winner advancing to Georgia to compete against the nation’s top six teams. The Bulldogs played their hearts out, losing two tough games. They lost to Maryland, which was the tournament winner, 11-7, and Connecticut, 7-4. They beat New Jersey, 11-5.
The team advanced to the final six and had a lot of fun and learned a lot about tournament play. This experience will help these young ballplayers advance even further next year. The team finished with a 21-3 mark. This includes regular season and playoff and tournament games. The Bulldogs will be playing an exhibition match against a Long Island team Sunday at noon.
