Springfield Storm Wins PISL Championship

Written by John Harrington

The Springfield Storm won the championship of the 10 and Under National East division of the Parkway Invitational Softball League on Tuesday night, July 23, defeating South Orange, 4-3, by scoring the tiebreaking run in the bottom of the sixth inning at Chisolm Field in Springfield.

Kolby Dagner singled up the middle with the bases loaded to score Gabrielle Harrington from third to win the championship for the Storm, the first such title for longtime coach Laura Delia. Victoria Delia, who pitched every game for the Storm this summer, got the win. It was the third time this summer that the Storm had won a game in its final time at bat.

The Storm began the winning rally when Harrington bunted to reach first. Lefthand-hitting Delia followed by hitting safely to the left side of the infield. Harrington stole third to put runners on first and third. Kaya Mahy, a sparkplug at the top of the batting order, popped out to shortstop and the runners held. Casey Janker, one of the team's best clutch hitters, was hit by a pitch on her left wrist and was forced to leave the game. With the bases loaded, Dagner, perhaps the team's most consistent hitter, slashed a 0-1 pitch up the middle to score Harrington and make Springfield division champions.

"I would like to thank every girl, parent and coach involved with our team.  It was an amazing season with a dream team. The hard work and heart that each girl put into the game resulted in a champoionship victory that will be remembered for years to come," said Coach Delia.

Springfield and South Orange had identical 9-1 regular records, but the Storm got homefield advantage for the championship because Springfield defeated South Orange during the regular season. Springfield also beat South Orange during the Cranford Softball Tournament last weekend.

Springfield (10-1 in the Parkway Invitational Softball League) avenged its only loss during the regular season to Elmora on July 18 when Janker singled in two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, with Jordan Sievert scoring the deciding run, after the Storm had trailed 3-1.

The Parkway Invitational Softball League is a competitive fasthpitch league for girls ages 7 to 18. There were 10 teams competing in the 10 and Under National East Division.The Storm acquitted itself well in softball tournaments this summer.
Springfield defeated Carteret, 7-0, in the Woodbridge Summer Sizzle softball tournament the weekend of July 12-14, a tournament that was shortened by rain. Ashley Campos and Emma Taylor provided run-scoring hits for the Storm. Delia pitched well and was spelled by second baseman Rachel Taylor, who pitched effectively in relief. Janna Wohl supplied strong defense at shortstop and in the outfield, and Jessica Miller and Abby Wilson bolstered the Storm outfield.

At the Cranford tournament the weekend if July 19-21, the Storm defeated Summit, South Orange and Roselle Park earning the second seed in the 13-team tournament to reach the semifinals where the Storm lost to Colonia. The victory over Roselle Park was Springfield's most dramatic win of the year. Trailing 5-1 going to its last at-bat, the Storm rallied for five runs as catcher Rachel Rodrick, down to her last strike,stroked the game-winning single to left. The Storm's overall summer record, including tournament wins, was 14-2.

Coach Delia was supported by a superb coaching staff: Jim Wilson, Glenn Wohl, Krista Delia, Tony Delia and Anthony Campos.

Photo caption: From bottom row left: Victoria Delia, Kaya Mahy, Abby Wilson, Gabrielle Harrington, Casey Janker; middle row left: Ashley Campos, Kolby Dagner, Rachel Rodrick,  Janna Wohl, Jessica Miller, Jordan Sievert; back row from left: Krista Delia, Tony Delia, Anthony Campos, Glenn Wohl, Laura Delia and Jim Wilson. Absent for the photo, team member Rachel Taylor.