It is said that no successes or championships can be accomplished without a journey. Well the River Vale Girls Senior A Summer Travel Softball Team that competed in the 7/8/9 th League out of Midland Park concluded a successful journey on Thursday July 29 th with a 4-3 victory over the #1 seeded and previously undefeated team from Ridgewood. It was a season for the girls that ended much better than it began way back in mid June with a 9-0 loss in the first game of its summer season.

The girls from RV never trailed in the championship game as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two RBI single by Brittany DeMaio who also was the starting and winning pitcher. The defense (a trademark of this group) was outstanding all night long led by the superior outfield play of Melissa McKeary and Bonnie Reiff. The girls from Ridgewood were a great opponent who had beaten the River Vale team twice during the regular summer season and once prior in a spring tournament semi-final.

The game was outstanding and Ridgewood had base runners in every inning but River Vale managed to escape with the lead in every inning with one great defensive stop or another to bail them out. DeMaio pitched a gritty game for six innings without being at her best but it was good enough. Melissa McKeary the other half of the two pitcher staff came in to close out the side in order in the seventh and final inning. The seventh inning was the only inning that Ridgewood was retired 1-2-3. This game was about defense and timely hitting, featuring defensive stars were Dani Klemt, Bonnie Reiff and Kate Arcidiacono. Key hits by DeMaio and Taylor Estupinan accounted for all 4 runs.

All season long this was a team that while one of the youngest in the league competed favorably and truly embodied the word team. Everyone contributed to the end result in some way. All season long the hitting and catching of Melissa Pena was one of the major reasons for the successful season. The unsung hero all season was Dani Klemt who seemed to be in the middle of every rally, leading the team in runs scored, anchored the infield and made some “ESPN Sports Center” like plays in the Outfield. Productive and timely hitting by Gina Carillo, Jocelyn Levine and Taylor Estupinan were important as well.

Defensively, in addition to Pena's work behind the plate and Pam Vangelas all over the left side of the field were Bonnie Reiff and Gina Carillo in the outfield, Jocelyn Levine and Taylor Esutpinan on the corner infield all turning defensive play night after night to stop opponent's rallies. Jenna Discepolo and Kate Arcidiacono took turns at the top and bottom of the batting order and were often involved in starting rallies and both players anchored second base all season long. The all around play of Melissa McKeary and Brittany DeMaio were a big part of the formula for winning. The two headed pitching combo excelled all season and had a fantastic ERA as well as a low (hit + walk to innings pitched) ratio for this level. The pitching while not dominant was extremely effective keeping the team in every game while allowing the superior team “D” to make plays.

It should be noted that this group of girls being one of the youngest and physically smallest in the league is often referred to by many as a “nice little” team because of its size limitations. The feeling here is that based on the results of this summer and last the label “nice and little” will be dropped. As a two year in a row champion the term “tough opponent” may be used in its place.

Contact:

President of RV Baseball/Softball

Arthur Levine

201-307-0970