EMERSON—Congratulations and hats off hard-charging Emerson 3/4 softball, young ladies who won 16 consecutive games on their way to becoming crowned champions.
The team went undefeated in the regular season, won the prestigious Ramsey Rumble tournament, and finished it off by bringing home the 1st place trophy in the Kinderkamack Softball League.
Emerson, the #1 seed, beat River Edge, 10-1, in the quarterfinals; Oradell, 6-1, in the semi-finals; and defeated Washington Township in a fierce battle in the championship, winning 2-1.
Head coach Tom Mulhern tells Pascack Press the crown was well earned.
“In the finals, we knew we were facing a great pitching staff and it was going to be a pitchers’ duel, and the game was going to be decided by one or two plays.”
He said Sara Dauble belted a two-run homer in the 5th inning to open the game up. “Sara had been swinging the bat great recently and she was due for a big hit.”
After Emerson took the lead, Alyssa Mulhern re-entered the fray to close it out for the win despite enormous pressure.
Washington Township threatened in the top of the 6th with a few baserunners, but Mulhern was able to close out the game, striking out the final two batters. “Alyssa had been lights out for us all season, and I knew when the game was on the line, she was the person we trusted most. I was very proud to see how our team handled the pressure,” coach Mulhern said.
He added, “The season was a huge success, but I am most proud of the progress each of the girls made throughout the season. The girls put in a tremendous amount of work, and everyone had big moments along the way.”
Also inspiring, he said: “It was cool to see the town come out and support the girls in the championship. The players’ mothers made signs and decorated the field. The girls all had their hair braided and looked like they dressed to go into battle. I think the excitement of seeing so many fans come out and support got the girls really pumped up, and it showed on the field.”
Although this team will have talented 4th graders move up a division to play 10U next year, the outlook said Mulhern, is bright. “And they have a chance to repeat, since they were comprised of mostly 3rd graders.”