Stars Shine Bright In Ridge Softball Championship Clash

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The #1 seeded RYSI Stars Softball team prevailed, 11-4, against the #2 seeded RYSI Sparks, in a battle of evenly matched teams that split the regular season series, 1-1.

In a banner season for Ridge Youth Softball that saw the Minors division expand from two to five teams, the Stars and Sparks battled all season to claim the top seed.

Both teams prevailed in an all-Basking Ridge semi-final to set up June 10th's clash. In a game with impressive defensive plays and pitching from both teams, the Stars managed to string together 2nd and 4th-inning rallies to notch the win.

The Stars and Sparks ended the regular season 8-2 and 7-2-1 respectively, due to the collective contributions of both new 2nd-grade players and 3rd-grade vets.

Both teams tallied wins against teams from Warren, Somerset Hills, and Long Hill, leading to Saturday's championship battle.

Stars Coaching Staff:

• Head Coach - Chris Kwak
• Coach - Aaron Levy
• Coach - Joyce Hsu
• Coach - Pierre Eryan

Stars Players 3rd Graders:

• Paige Eryan
• Charlotte Kwak
• Hannah Levy
• Greta McCarthy
• Adriana Rainwater

Stars Players 2nd Graders:

• Annie Beykirch
• Grace Campigotto
• Violet Demcsak
• Josephine Hazelton
• Macailagh Hess
• Sarah Hsu
• Caitlin McMahon
• Elizabeth Skelly

Sponsor: Master Moons Summit Martial Arts

Sparks Coaching Staff:

• Head Coach – Matt Merrilees
• Coach – Brendan Munson
• Coach - Nichol Vohden
• Coach - Ben Weisfelner

Sparks Players 3rd Graders:

• Gabriela Aurre
• Elia Bleazey
• Alivia Fonzetti
• Sadie Glanz
• Madelyn Heidemann
• Anna Inzano
• Madelyn Merrilees
• Lilian Pfau
• Grace Vohden

Sparks Players 2nd Graders:

• Cecilia Munson
• Madeleine Grimshaw
• Sadie Weisfelner

Sponsor: Long Hill Auto Service

— Submitted story