Youth All-Star Softball Team Looks Ahead to State Sectionals

Last summer, the Hopatcong 10-11-year-old all-star softball team pulled off a major upset, sweeping perennial powerhouse Pequannock out of a three-game series to win a state sectional title.

Nicole Taddeo watched it happen. After all, her daughter, Sara, was on the team. Now Sara's back on the squad, and her mother hopes to soak in the girls' victory celebration again.

Hopatcong's 10-11-year-old all-star club will face Tri-Boro — comprised of Bloomingdale, Riverdale and Pompton Lakes players — in Sunday's state sectionals in Pompton Lakes at Joe Grill Field at 11 a.m. Then they'll play at the same location Monday night at 7 p.m. And if necessary, Game 3 would be on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Nicole Taddeo's hoping it doesn't get that far.

"They really seem to be coming together again," she said. "They want that first place this year."

Hopatcong won the District 20 crown by default — no other team entered. Still, the coaches like the girls' chances.

Just ask assistant coach Richard Gehring.

"They have been working really hard," Gehring said. "I explained to them that, being a coach, all I can ask them to do is to bring their best and I can honestly say they have. Every time they come they're looking forward to practice.

Or ask head coach Sean Bowen.

"We got a great bunch of girls," he said. "I really can't wait for Sunday."

Nor can Hopatcong's team, which has been practicing together for about a month and put up a strong showing in Thursday's scrimmage. The club is made up of players from two in-town teams.

The girls' enthusiasm surprised Gehring. He said they've even been suggesting drills at practice.

Bowen said the team has focused mainly on the little things.

"We've got quickness and speed," he said. "Some of our girls are very decent hitters. But we've been working on a lot of small ball.

"We want to do anything to get their defense so riled up that they're throwing the ball all over the place. A bunt can turn into a [in the park] home run really fast."

Not crazy thought, considering it was the little things that helped Hopatcong past Pequannock last year. Hopatcong won its first game on a late rally when Pequannock made several throwing errors. Then it took care of business in Game 2 for the crown.

Gehring thinks any of the girls could be Sunday's hero.

"At this level, sometimes everybody has a role to play," he said. "Every role is as important as the other. It doesn't matter if you're the right fielder or the shortstop. It's a team effort. There are no individuals that stand out here. And they're dealing really well with that."

Not bad for a group of girls who haven't even played a game together this season.

"It's been great," Nicole Taddeo said. "They really kind of put the team together just for the heck of it [last year].

"They're really coming together as a team and building confidence."

Hopatcong's 10-11-year-old all-star softball roster:

Brianne Willis

Amanda Bowen

Melissa Herr

Jessica Jones

Summer Gawronski

Madison Wronko

Sammy Serocke

Julia Owens

Shelby Spaziani

Victoria Gehring

Sara Taddeo

Coaches:

Sean Bowen

Richard Gehring

Ron Willis

Laurie Spaziani