WESTWOOD—The fighting young ladies of the Westwood Softball Association’s 10U summer travel team drove their steamroller of a regular season into an unusual postseason win, but it’s one they’re entitled to revel in.
With hard-charging opponent Emerson taking a forfeit over Covid-19, Westwood lost nothing from what coach Brian Ianni called “a quality summer for sure,” as weighed in friendships formed, skilled sharpened, a positive attitude, and a record of 15-3-1.
Westwood faced Emerson five times in regular season and tournament play, winning four times and tying once.
Ianni told Pascack Press on Aug. 18, “It was a team effort, but much of our success came from timely hitting from our power hitters: Leah Olives, Bria Charles and Anya Waring, and from big defensive plays by Morgan Avella and Nyla Diaz.”
He said, “Every girl had an impact and made an important play or had an important hit at some point in the year, which was really cool for us to see — knowing that each girl had a say in it and really just the experience that all those girls got from playing in it and doing something other than rec.”
On July 29, Emerson’s program posted, “10U finished their season a little earlier than expected due to Covid precautions. The decision to forfeit was made in the best interest of our players, Westwood’s players, and all coaches and umpires.”
It added, “Congrats to Westwood on their first-place finish and to our Emerson girls for staying tough and ending on a high note! Stay safe and healthy all!”
Emerson Softball 12U claimed a resounding championship win against Park Ridge on July 30.
On Aug. 17, Westwood’s 10U players received certificates of achievement and heartfelt congratulations from Mayor Ray Arroyo, Council President Beth Dell, and all other members.
The Westwood Softball Association, in the Kinderkamack Summer League, says it strives to “create an atmosphere of informed instruction on the sound fundamentals of girls’ softball, encourage and demonstrate sportsmanship and good character, respect for umpires and opposing teams, and the fun of healthy competition.”
Emphasis is on the participation, sportsmanship, working together as a team, physical and mental development of each player, and enjoyment of the game.
Westwood’s 14 players came from Berkeley and Brookside schools, and a local parochial school.
Emerson Softball notes it’s a recreational program that gives girls from grades 1–8 “a chance to compete in a supportive and fun environment at any skill level. We also offer an opportunity to play in summer softball leagues and/or tournaments in a more competitive setting. Our fundraising group, Friends of Emerson Softball, is a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers.”
Ianni, who also coaches boys soccer at Glen Ridge High School, told Pascack Press that Covid-19 wasn’t felt as a huge concern for much of the girls’ season, but it certainly was toward the end.
(Indeed, the virus and its delta variant are surging worldwide, particularly of risk to the unvaccinated.)
“We were careful about what we had to do. It definitely hit us at the very end, going into the championship game. There was an outbreak at the rec camps in a couple of local towns that impacted the other team so the league decided at that point to just call it as it is,” Ianni said.
Of Emerson’s forfeit, he said, “It was weird to win that way — we didn’t want to win that way; we wanted to play — but at the same time we had proven it throughout the summer.”
He said, “Knowing we had just beaten them in a tournament, in Bergenfield [the Steve Neff Memorial Tournament], that weekend prior, the girls got a little taste of what it was like to win in a championship game so that was kind of cool for them.”
He added, “They walked away with a tournament championship and a regular season championship which was exciting for the kids to experience, especially after having a year lost to Covid.”
And he praised Emerson’s players and coaches for their hustle, heart, and sportsmanship.
“I know they were looking to have another shot at us. It was kind of an unfortunate circumstance; our girls were bummed about it too. They really wanted to play.”
Asked the secret of his team’s success, given their enviable record this summer, he said, “It’s the teamwork, the bonding. When girls struggled or made a mistake they picked each other up and laughed about it and just moved on to the next play. I think that was one of the more important aspects of the team: that team mentality.”
Next for the girls: “Fall ball, but more like exhibition play, just to keep on playing and working on their craft and then we’ll do some training with all the girls, the Westwood Softball Association, in the winter. And then we’ll pick back up on it in spring.”
For league standings, visit leaguelobster.com.