The summer has arrived which means competitive youth softball is in full swing. The Madison Crimson 10U team has begun their season with mixed results on the field, but with progress being made each day.
This year’s team consists of Hannah Beneroff, Lindsey Leu, Kayla Bailey, Mitra Sharif, Maya Chalker, Olivia Miller, Jenna Tierney, Kelly Notine, Nina Bisco, Amanda Granato, Emilee Griggs, Marli Welter, Grace Boylan and Maddie Carroll.
During the past weekend the squad took part in the annual Long Hill Tournament. Although they kept the Crimson’s bats silent in game 1 Friday en route to a 11-1 victory, not all was lost. Crimson star pitcher Granato pitched a complete game, striking out six.
On Saturday, the Crimson played a crisp, exciting game against Cranford. Once again Granato starred on the mound, striking out 15. Beneroff, Leu and Granato all scored runs in the third inning and the game was tied 3-3 after six innings. Using the tie-breaker system each team started with a girl on second base, and no out in the seventh inning. Cranford was able to break things open with four runs, winning 7-3.
Madison had a chance to get back at Long Hill on Sunday, with evident improvement. Although they lost 12-3, pitchers Granato and Beneroff were able to frustrate the talented Twisters bats. Many of the Long Hill runs were scored on overthrows and errors. Jenna Tierney knocked the first clean hit of the tourney in the second inning.
The final game of the weekend was played against the Long Hill “B” team. Leu started the scoring knocking in Notine and Granato with a solid single. After two-and-a-half innings the Crimson built an 11-1 lead. The girls learned how difficult the final three outs can be. Long Hill slowly came back until finally scoring six runs in the last frame to win, 12-11.
All the weekend’s events set up nicely for the opening of the regular season Monday. Madison traveled to West Orange and showed no ill effects from the weekend. In fact, lessons were learned. Coaches Joe Granato, Rob Welter and Mike Miller had the team prepared and focused. Amanda Granato set the tone early striking out all nine batters she faced. Beneroff came in to finish the shutout as the Crimson exorcised some demons and won, 13-0. Olivia Miller had two hits and scored three runs. With seven more games remaining in only a few weeks the Crimson look to build on this momentum.
Please come support the girls at their home games. They play July 6, 7, 11 and 18 at 6 p.m. Each game will be played at Green Village Road School.
