U12 Girls Take Home Softball Championship

The Hasbrouck Heights 12U Girls Softball team, sponsored by the Hasbrouck Heights Recreation Department, won the championship in the competitive UGALS Summer Classic Tournament this past weekend in Bergenfield.  

The team won three games on Saturday over the Hudson Valley Heartbreakers from New York, the Long Island Shock and Clifton. Resuming play on Sunday morning they defeated Ringwood to reach the semi-finals against the Montgomery Devils from Orange County, NY. They won this game by a score of 4-0 and advanced to the championship game against New Milford. In a hard fought defensive struggle, the Heights girls prevailed 2 to 1 to win the championship, reported Tony Bonillo, the team's assistant manager. 

Bonillo said pitching was outstanding with Jessica Gasparino and Sarah Bailey limiting the opposition to seven runs over the six games. Jessica pitched 24 1/3 innings with an ERA of 1.15 while Sarah pitched 16 2/3 innings with an ERA of 1.26.

The outfielders Victoria Vizzacchero, Kate Palmieri, Brianna Blanco and Nicole Blanco caught all fly balls hit their way including two key difficult catches by Victoria in the fourth inning of the championship game.

The infield play of Rachel Weber, Alexis Blanco, Sarah Bailey, Amanda DeJulia and Nicole Blanco was outstanding committing only one error in the six games. Amanda DeJulia initiated three double plays from her second base position.

The offense was truly a team effort with the entire line up contributing.  Some of the highlights were Kate Palmieri’s two homeruns along with her .438 batting average. Sarah Bailey batted .455 with seven walks for an on base percentage or .647. Victoria Vizzachero had an average of .417 and Gabby Cruz batted .350.

Amanda DeJulia’s bunt single in the sixth inning of the championship game and her subsequent steal of second and third base led to her scoring on Alexis Blanco's sacrifice fly to deep left field for the winning run.

Substitute outfielders Micah Nollara, Emma Mason and Courtney Summers were
very valuable relieving the starting outfielders due to the extreme heat, said Bonillo.

“The coaches are very proud of the girls’ accomplishments and appreciative of the parents’ outstanding support,” said Bonillo.

Bonillo also pointed out that the parents really played an important role at the tournament this weekend. They provided cool drinks and fruits keeping the kids hydrated and cool during the extremely hot temperatures.

“A group of girls that work so hard and leave everything on the field were finally rewarded for all their hard work. They couldn’t make any coach prouder,” said Frank Gasparino, team manager.

Information was submitted by Tony Bonillo, assistant manager of the UGALS team.