U10 Softball Ends With Lessons Learned (and Some Hardware)

As the rainy spring pushed the Recreation Department softball league well into June, there were many question marks surrounding the All-Star U10 softball team. Tryouts became a challenge due to weather and other commitments from the young ladies of Madison. When the dust settled and the team laced them up for a tournament in Long Hill June 24 through the 26th, there were many fans and parents who were most apprehensive about how the rest of summer ball would go.

It turns out things went just fine. The lost weekend in Long Hill (which showed the U10 ladies losing all four games—including two in which they held last-inning leads) proved to be a pivotal jumping-off point. Once the regular season began in the Tri-County All-Star league, the team (led by coaches Joe Granato, Rob Welter and Michael Miller) more than held its own.  

Led by star pitcher Amanda Granato and a host of seasoned hitters such as Kayla Bailey, Kelly Notine, Olivia Miller, Mitra Sharif, Maja Chalker and Jenna Tierney, the Madison Crimson piled up an impressive 4-2-1 regular season record. Their two losses were both one-run defeats to Parsippany (both away games.)  

As the playoffs began, they put everything together in a masterful 8-3 victory over Morris Plains. Granato settled down after allowing three runs in the first inning. She struck out eight and relied on steady defense from Sharif and Miller on the right side of the infield. The offense was keyed by Chalker's three-run home run in the first inning. Without question this was the highlight of the abbreviated season. Outs were made without incident. At-bats were taken with patience and a full grasp of the strike zone. Confidence was displayed from every member of the team. If only that was the championship game.

Unfortunately, they played that game against No. 1 seed Millburn two nights later. They had beaten Millburn 5-4 earlier in the season and tied them in a wild game the week before. On this night it was not to be as Millburn broke a 6-6 tie in the fourth inning and cruised to a 14-6 victory.

However, the growth and maturity from Long Hill to a Championship game appearance cannot be overlooked. Many girls had never played this level of competition before. Many of their opponents from other districts play two, sometimes three seasons during the year. It mattered little. There was a fearlessness and joy displayed all along the way.  

This is a group of girls that will only be getting better. Lucky for us we will be able to watch for years to come.

Hannah Beneroff, Marli Welter, Grace Boylan, Emilee Griggs, Maddie Carroll, Lindsey Leu and Nina Bisco rounded out the team and each one of them made significant contributions.