EMERSON 1-2 completed an undefeated summer travel season in the Kinderkamack Softball League, defeating River Edge 13–4 in the championship.
This win capped a remarkable season by the Cavos, who finished the KSL regular season 9-0-1 with an overall record of 12-0-1, including a big walk-off win vs. #2 seed River Vale courtesy of Samantha Travieso, who put her dad on his backside with a line drive up the middle. Ariana Marino provided the big game-tying hit with two outs. Both Ariana and Samantha lived out every ballplayer’s dream that day.
Emerson 1-2 finished their regular season 9-0-1, with their sole tie coming against River Edge in a heart-wrenching 15–15 game. These two teams were destined to meet again to decide who would claim the 1-2 KSL Championship.
River Edge defeated NVOT in Round 1 and River Vale in the semis to reach the final. Emerson received the #1 seed and faced a tough Hillsdale team in the opening round of the playoffs.
Led by the power hitting of Chloe Castillo and Sophia Travieso (a combined three doubles and seven RBI), Olivia Healy provided the defense in this game with multiple putouts—including a line drive catch up the middle—and throughout the year. Olivia was the team’s spark plug all season long. However, the story all season has been “Team Softball,” and our second-round matchup would prove to be the toughest yet.
Wednesday night, July 23 at 6 p.m., the scene was set: Emerson 1-2 Travieso vs. Emerson 1-2 DaSilva. Moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas were rooting both for and against their own town. The entire softball community came out to watch—and these girls did not disappoint. They embraced the competition in a nail-biter of a game. Emerson 1-2 Travieso was down early, 3–0 in the first, but was led by our leadoff hitter, Scarlett Timmerman. The nerves were in the stands, not on the field.
Both Scarlett Timmerman and Maggie Maginnis collected four hits, with Isha Patel adding three hits and anchoring the defense at first base. Emilia Vilardi showed her speed on the bases with her hustle, avoiding multiple tag outs and collecting two hits. A total team effort! Emerson 1-2 Travieso came out on top, 12–10. The 1-2 girls from both teams then stayed into the evening hours to watch the eventual 12U champs finish their playoff game right across the field. It was a great day for Emerson softball, to say the least.
In the championship game, Emerson 1-2 again faced River Edge—and the girls came to play. All season long, Chloe Castillo has been a team leader, and this day was no different, playing remarkable defense from the pitcher’s helper position. River Edge found it difficult that night to get runs across the plate.
The offense was provided by Olivia Mara, who had a consistent bat all summer long (one double and two RBI). Sophia Travieso was back to her hard-hitting ways with two doubles and four RBI. Emerson closed the deal with a 13–4 victory in the championship game.
Contributions were made by all throughout the summer. These girls showed how hard work and teamwork can always give you results.
— Team report