East Windsor Softball Reaches Title Game

After three dominating wins, the East Windsor softball team is a victory of any kind away from earning the championship of the District 12 Little League Tournament for 12-year-olds.

East Windsor earned a spot in the title game by defeating Robbinsville, 9-0, on June 28.

The team will host Bordentown or Robbinsville  at the Airport Road Complex, July 1, 7 p.m. (Bordentown and Robbinsville will play Wednesday night.) Because East Windsor is the lone team in the double-elimination tournament without a loss, it could be defeated on Friday and still earn the district title with a win on Saturday.

"You always have the anxiety of not being able to finish what you set out to do, but the girls have just been playing so well," East Windsor Manager Bill Giampolo said. "Hopefully, we can get the job done on Friday and win the tournament."

Angela Giampolo and Sam Dolan combined to throw the shutout for East Windsor against Robbinsville. According to the manager, also give out some assists all around the infield.

Dolan plays first, Brighid Douglas plays second, Ally Huelbig short and Chrissy Mayer third base for East Windsor. Collectively, Giampolo calls these girls "The Wall."

"We're just playing fantastic defense," Giampolo said. "I don't even think we have an error in any of the three games yet. We're making all the routine plays. We're also making the unordinary plays."

East Windsor is also hitting. Huelbig started the win over Robbinsville with a double. Holly Bridgman also had a double. Sam Castro had a three-run double. Douglas was 3-for-3, Kylie Olsen had a key hit.

East Windsor started its tournament with an 11-0 win at West End on June 21 in a game stopped after four innings by the blowout rule.

Giampolo and Dolan combined on a no-hitter. All 12 outs were recorded on strikeouts. Only a walk prevented a perfect game.

Giampolo also had a two-run double. Bridgman, Olsen and Nicolette Garthe also had clutch hits.

Playing at home on June 26, East Windsor defeated Bordentown, 3-0.

Huelbig tripled in Giampolo in the first. Huelbig was then driven in by Bridgman. Giampolo doubled in the third and then scored on a groundout by Huelbig.

The rest was pitching and defense. Giampolo scattered three hits and struck out six batters. She did not walk anyone. The balls that were put in play were handled by that outstanding infield defense.

"I don't even think we've had a ball hit to the outfield against us," Giampolo said. "The infield is making all the plays."

Add in a good offense and outstanding pitching and you have a team a win away from earning East Windsor's first District 12 title at the 12-year-old level. This same group of girls won the District 12 and state title two years ago when they played at the 10-year-old level.

"How could I not be thrilled with the way we're playing," Giampolo said. "We're practicing well and we're doing everything right in the games. We're playing fantastic."