The District 12 Little League Softball Tournament for the East Windsor 10-year-olds began and ended with a loss to Robbinsville. The four games in between, however, went a lot differently.
After losing 8-1 to Robbinsville in the opener on June 25, East Windsor came back to win four straight. The team reached the July 5 title game, which it lost 10-0 to Robbinsville.
"We win and lose as a team," East Windsor manager Don Oberg said. "That last game didn't go very well. Along the way, we did do a lot of good things in the tournament."
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East Windsor won four games playing in the losers bracket of the double-elimination tournament. Its first win was 14-1 over West End on June 28.
Lisa Cohen, Rachel Masone and Kristin Oberg all had multiple hits and RBI in the win.
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East Windsor overcame an early deficit to defeat West Windsor, 13-10 on June 30. East Windsor trailed 6-2 at one point. The game was tied at 6-6 when East Windsor scored seven runs in the sixth.
"Coming back to beat West Windsor was the big win for us," Don Oberg said.
Cohen had two triples and four RBI in the win. Jessica Ketterer had two hits. Oberg hit a three-run homer.
On July 2, East Windsor defeated Bordentown, 7-6.
Taylor Britt had a clutch two-run double for the winners.
East Windsor defeated Florence, 19-7, on July 4 to earn a spot in the title game. Florence had built an early 6-1 lead.
"We only had like five hits in the win," Don Oberg noted. "We had a lot of walks. This was probably the only game where the pitching really struggled."
The members of the team are Kristin Oberg (pitcher), Taylor Britt (catcher/pitcher), Emily Garron (1B/outfield), Hannah Crisco (2B), Jessica Ketterer (SS), Alli Duane (3B/OF), Rachel Masone (3b/OF), Lisa Cohen (3B/OF), Bianca Guidi (OF), Vanessa Richardson (OF), Lauren Crossey (OF), Samantha Zappola (OF/P).
The team was made up of six girls from East Windsor and six from Cranbury. Three additional girls — Nikki Masone, Grace Cooke and Caitlin Walsh — all worked out with the team.
"Those are younger girls that practiced with the team," Don Oberg said. "Next year we'll hand the team over to them and they should be ready to go."
The older girls are also ready to move up to the higher age brackets.
"The program is on an upswing," Don Oberg said. "The 12-year-old girls from East Windsor won the districts and are playing in the sectionals. Our team also had a really good showing. We've come a long way.
"The participation in the league is strong. There is also a good commitment from the players and parents to take part in tournaments. That's what makes you better in the long run."
