Diamond Divas: Caldwell Shows Spirit While Learning

Even when MaryAnn Lubanski is at work, her team remains on her mind as she can't help but sing a few of her Caldwell Under-10 softball team's tunes.

As the team played to a 3-3 tie with Parsippany Friday evening at James Caldwell High School, the players sang jingles like, "If you don't believe us, try to beat us," or "We want a single, just a little single, s-i-n-g-l-e."

Then there was the one the players serenaded Jen Garamella with when she scored in the bottom of the fifth inning: "I feel special. I feel great. I just stepped on home plate."

While the Chiefs may only be 1-7-2 this season, they sure haven't lacked spirit.

Lubanski and fellow coach Brandi Milano lauded the team's effort against Parsippany and considered it the best game the Chiefs have played this season.

Improving on the basics and fundamentals each game is the key at this initial level of competition, Milano said.

"It's all about developing and learning the game," she said. "In the end, it's about developing softball skills to field the high school team."

All of the girls were new to the team this year except for Carle Corrigan, who pitched four scoreless innings and also recorded an RBI double that tied the game at 1 against Parsippany.

"She's come a long way," Milano said. "She was very green last year and has been taking pitching lessons."

The season began with practices near the end of May before games got underway during the third week of June. The seven-team league consists of West Essex, Millburn, Parsippany, Nutley, East Hanover and Verona.

The girls practice five days a week during the season, which culminates with the playoffs next week.

"The girls are very dedicated and are here for the five practices for six weeks," said Lubanski, who pointed out the players' commitment even with numerous conflicts during the summer. "We always have enough people to play."

The Chiefs' hard work has been evident in their marked improvement from the start of the summer.

"They have improved from here to the ice cream truck," Lubanski said, pointing to where the girls were enjoying a post-game treat about a soccer-field's distance away. "They were very, very raw at the beginning of the season."

Sisters Jen and Jessica Garamella have been among the players who have improved as the season has progressed. Jen Garamella executed a perfect bunt single in the fifth inning.

"That was a beautiful bunt and is something of a weapon," Milano said.

During that fifth inning, Caldwell grabbed a 3-2 on RBIs from Lillian Silver and Alyssa DiBlasis.

Parsippany, though, scored a run in the top of the sixth inning to tie the game. Despite giving up the run, Caldwell pitcher Kaitlyn Kinsella pitched well to finish off the game.

The Caldwell U10 team is comprised of Kaitlyn Kinsella, Emma McNamara, Emma Saheed, Jessica Garamella, Jen Garamella, Carle Corrigan, Sydney Lempicki, Sam Vitiello, Victoria Nufrio, Grace Stairiker, Lillian Silver and Alyssa DiBlasis.

"No matter how the team fares," Milano said, "our kids always leave the field happy."