Well done, ladies, well done

Warwick’s 12U softball team defeated Pine Bush, Cornwall and Goshen over the course of two weeks to capture the District 19 flag for the second year in a row.

A total team effort, as every girl chipped in and played a role in the teams success.

Abby Walsh was brilliant in the circle. Warwick’s pitcher picked up 41 strikeouts over the four-game stretch. She pitched with a quiet confidence and ferocious desire to win.

Warwick catchers are second to none. Erin Persico was an absolute brick wall, stopping everything that came her way. Cate Farrell has a cannon for an arm and makes runners think twice about attempting to steal.

The offense

Warwick’s lineup was downright scary. Emily Gulick and Cate Farrell lead the team in home runs. Lorenza Brennie had multiple long drives, resulting in two triple and three RBIs. Jess Larsen lead the team with five hits and six RBIs. Tessa Moccio posted a .667 batting average. Erin Persico added four hits and three RBIs. Grace Stough had multiple hits, including two huge bunts that led to big runs. Sophia Sanzone chipped in with three hits including a huge two-out, two-RBI shot in game three. Justice McGovern reeked havoc on the base path for Warwick.

Championship game

The championship game was a hard fought 5-2 victory over a scrappy Goshen team that never quit. Many of the girls on the two teams play together outside of Little League, making this a unique game in every way. After the game, the two teams shared ice cream and laughs together personifying the word sportsmanship. Just another example of kids reminding adults what it’s truly all about.

This game was filled with great pitching and timely defense. Abby Walsh was backed by some great plays, led by Taylor Moore (3B) and Gianna Ricco (2B). Each making several clutch plays. Jess Larsen was stellar at 1B and Lorenza Brennie played a great shortstop.

For Goshen, Isabel Mitterbauer pitched her heart out and Liv Jordan did it all in centerfield, at the plate and on the base path.

With two out in the final inning, Walsh fired a pitch that was lofted to left field and caught by a sprinting Tessa Moccio, sending her teammates into a frenzy near home plate and giving Warwick the District 19 championship for a second year in a row.

Their banners will hang at Veterans Memorial Park for years to come, where maybe someday they can reminisce, as coaches to their very own Little Leaguers.

For now, they are the queens of the diamond. They’ve made their parents, fans, and the town of Warwick incredibly proud. Not to mention their coaches, Danny Walsh, Robbie Jacobs, Jason Moore, Bobby Brennie and Drew Gulick who had the honor of guiding them along the way.

The best part of it all, these great softball players are even better people. Well done, ladies, well done.

This article was written by Coach Danny Walsh.