East Windsor Softball Set to Open District 12 Play

Playing as 10-year-olds two years ago, the softball team won the District 12 Little League title and went on to a state championship before running out of games to play.

If East Windsor repeats those goals this year, it'll get a chance to go even further.

"When we played, the state title was as far as you could go (for 10-year-olds)," East Windsor Manager Bill Giampolo said. "There were no regionals for 10-year-olds. They changed that last year. It's a shame because we won the state championship game 12-2."

Fortunately, the 12-year-old level is a little different. If East Windsor is good enough, it'll be able to keep on playing all the way to a world championship.

"If we can get a District 12 title to start, that would be sweet," Giampolo said.

No East Windsor team has ever won a District 12 softball title in the 12-year-old bracket. These girls are certainly talented enough to give it a good try.

East Windsor is one of eight teams playing in the District 12 Tournament. There will be no pool play this year. The tournament will be double-elimination.

East Windsor will open up the tournament with a game at West End tomorrow, Tuesday. If it should win that game, it would play on June 26 against the winner of Bordentown/Florence.

The opening games will be held June 21 and 22. New Egypt will play West Windsor. A combination team of Princeton and Lawrence will go up against Robbinsville.

Once the tournament is down to six teams, the remaining games will be played at East Windsor.

"The girls are working hard and they are ready to go," Giampolo said.

The members of the team are: Jesse Weingast (outfield and second base), Kelli Swedish (right field), Nicolette Garth (center field), Chrissy Mayor (third base), Holly Bridgman (catcher and second base), Sam Castro  (outfield), Ally Huelbig (shortstop and first base), Angela Giampolo (pitcher and shortstop), Kylie Olsen (pitcher and outfield), Brighid Douglas (second base and catcher) and Sam Dolan (pitcher and first base).

The coaches are Kevin Dolan, Rob Bridgman and Tom Huelbig.

"We've got eleven girls and one goal," Giampolo said.

In order to reach that goal, a win over West End would be a great way to start.

"Last year the girls took a year off of districts and went to play Nationals with their respective travel teams," Giampolo noted. "This year we are back together and working very hard again. The girls practice and play like a team. They get along great, on and off the field.  It truly is a pleasure to coach this team."

Giampolo already knows these girls can play like champions. The only question is, now that it's two years later, can they do it again?