East Regional

Friday, Aug. 6, 2010

East Regional Softball Championships

Seniors

Haverstraw wins second consecutive East Regional championship

Adams, Corretjer combine on four-hitter in 7-1 win over Delaware in final

Tony Pinciaro

WORCESTER, Ma. -- Following the little league and all-star season in 2006, Jen Salomon decided to "retire" from softball.

Even though it appeared she had put softball behind her, Salomon could not stay away, totally. Last year, Salomon attended the Senior League World Series as a fan, to cheer for all of her friends and former little league and CYO teammates.

Once the World Series concluded, Brianna Rivera and later Taylor Corretjer, applied the full-court press, attempting to persuade Salomon put the glove on and return to play all-stars with them.

"Brianna kept texting me and bringing it up and she and Taylor convinced me to play," said Salomon, a senior-to-be at Paramus Catholic in Paramus, N.J. "I figured it was the last time we could play together before we all go off to college. And I thought it should be fun."

Salomon selected the perfect year to join her friends as they enjoyed the ultimate fun yesterday.

Haverstraw defeated Felton/Harrington (De.), 7-1, at Jesse Burkett Little League for its second consecutive Senior League softball East Regional title.

Earllier in the day, Haverstraw held off a late-inning Bristol Boro (Pa.) charge for a 5-4 win in a semifinal.

Haverstraw, which completed the regional with a 6-0 record, advances to the Senior League World Series, beginning Sunday and running through Saturday, Aug. 14 in Lower Sussex, De. Haverstraw opens with the host, Laurel (De.), 5:30 p.m., Sunday at Bruce E. Layton Field.

"I'm speechless," said a happy Salomon, as a smile engulfed her face. "Once you win, especially with your friends, it's such a good feeling."

This was Haverstraw's second victory of the regional over Felton/Harrington. Vittoria Adams shut out the Delaware champion, 3-0 in pool play and baffled Felton/Harrington once again yesterday to earn the win. Adams allowed a run on two hits in the first inning and that was all Felton/Harrington managed in four innings against her. Corretjer followed her teammate and friend with three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out three.

"Every time you win it, it gets sweeter," said Adams of the second consecutive senior title to go along with the 2007 junior crown.

The teams swapped runs in the first inning, but a steady rain intensified in the bottom of the second inning, forcing the umpires to clear the field for a rain delay. Following the approximate 35-minute interruption in play, Adamds returned and dialed up the velcoity another notch.

"During the rain delay I thought to myself that it wasn't me in the circle," Adams said. "I wasn't smiling and I wasn't happy. I guess the nerves took over. After the rain delay I came out myself."

Third baseman Sam Wangenstein noticed a difference, also, in Adams when play resumed with one out in the bottom of the second inning.

"Vittoria was definitely on her game today," Wangenstein said. "When she gets mad, she throws even harder. I think Delaware made her mad after they scored that run."

Haverstraw came out hitting after the rain delay. Rivera drilled a one-out single up the middle in the third inning. Following the second out of the inning, Wangenstein was in the hole, 0-2. She fouled off a pitch, took a ball from Haley Dobbs, then crushed a ball into the gap in right center, scoring Rivera.

"I felt I didn't hit the ball that good in the morning so I really wanted to get a good hit," Wangenstein said.

Salomon would initiate a four-run fourth inning with a double to the wall in center field. She would score on a Brittany Escribano fielder's choice. Wangenstein capped the inning with a two-run single in the hole between shortstop and third.

Adams explained that Hobbs pitched in relief in the pool-play game and Haverstraw did not hit her. That was not the case this time.

"We went out more confident and we wanted it," Adams said.

While Salomon was celebrating her first World Series berth with her life-long friends, Wangenstein was enjoying this second regional title because she shared it with her younger sister, Alyssa, a rookie on the team.

"I enjoy having Alyssa on the team," older sister said. "I know I always have someone to talk to on the team."

Haverstraw manager Joe Corretjer had a meeting with his team following the post-game ceremony and numerous photo ops with parents.

"I am proud of all the kids, including the kids from the past," he said. "I can't say enough about the younger kids. We didn't have a junior team because they wanted to be on this team. They worked very hard and earned playing time.

"For the older girls, they've filled roles on the other teams, but now they get to go back to the World Series again. I am sure they are very happy."

Haverstraw survived its semi-final game with Bristol Boro. Haverstraw scored three runs in the second inning, increased its lead to 5-0 through five and was in complete control as Adams threw the first four innings.

Bristol Boro cut the lead to 5-2 in the sixth and closed to within one run in the seventh after Ashley Cantiello's RBI double scored Brooke Dugger. However, Adams returned to the circle and registered the final two outs to earn a save, to go along with the win.

"I think we let our guard down a little so we were happy to get out of there with a win," Adams said.

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At Jesse Burkett Little League, Worcester, Ma.

Thursday's results

Championship

Haverstraw 7, Felton/Harrington, De. 1

Semifinals

Haverstraw 5, Bristol Boro, Pa., 4

Wednesday’s results

Pool play

Haverstraw 9, Waterford Jr./Sr. Softball (Ct.) 4

Fulton/Harrington (De.) 11, North Berwick-Lebanon (Me.) 0

Winchendon (Ma.) 7, Burrillville (R.I.) 0

Bristol Boro (Pa.) 9, Jesse Burkett (Ma.) 2

Tuesday's results

Pool play

Perryville Community (Md.) 8, Jesse Burkett (Ma.) 0

Felton/Harrington (De.) 10, Waterford Jr./Sr. Softball (Ct.) 2

Pitman (N.J.) 14, North Berwick/Lebanon (Me.) 2

Winchendon (Ma.) 5, Bristol Boro (Pa.) 2

Monday's results

Pool play

Haverstraw 3, Felton/Harrington (De.) 0

Pittman (N.J.) 12, Waterford Jr./Sr. Softball 11

Perryville Community (Md.) 4, Winchendon (Ma.) 2

Bristol Boro (Pa.) 2, Burrillville (R.I.) 1

Sunday's results

Pool play

Haverstraw 24, Berwick/Lebanon (Me.) 1

Felton/Harrington (De.) 15, Pitman (N.J.) 1

Bristol Boro (Pa.) 9. Perryville Community (Md.) 3

Jesse Burkett (Ma.) 7, Burrillville (R.I.) 6

Saturday's results

Pool play

Haverstraw 4, Pitman (NJ) 1

Winchendon (Ma.) 9, Jesse Burkett 2

Waterford Jr./Sr. Softball (Ct.) 14, North Berwick/Lebanon (Me.) 0

Perryville Community (Md.) 6, Burrillville (R.I.) 0

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Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010

East Regional Softball Championship

Seniors

Haverstraw finishes pool play perfect after 9-4 win over Connecticut

Massachusetts is semi-final opponent, 10 a.m.

WORCESTER, Ma. -- Haverstraw was on the verge of breaking loose yesterday against Waterford Jr./Sr. Softball (Ct.) in the final game of pool play.

Haverstraw manager Joe Corretjer sensed it because his team was hitting the ball hard through the first three innings, but it was trailing by one. By the conclusion of Haverstraw's at-bat in the top of the fourth inning, the momentum had clearly shifted.

The 2009 East Regional champion scored five runs in the fifth and went on to a 9-4 over the Connecticut representative at the Lilttle League softball senior East Regional championship at Jesse Burkett Little League.

Haverstraw completed Pool B play with a 4-0 record and will face Pool A runner-up, Bristol Boro (Pa.) in one semifinal today, 10 a.m. The other semifinal will have Pool A first-place team Winchendon (Ma.) playing Pool B runner-up, Felton/Harrington (De.) at 9 a.m. The winners will play at 3 p.m. for the East Region title and a berth in the World Series, opening Sunday in Lower Sussex, De.

Tara Sasso got the win with four shut-out innings. The 13-year-old Sasso allowed two hits and struck out two. Taylor Corretjer went the first three and allowed four runs, but none were earned.

Waterford scored once in the first inning and added three in the second inning to take a 4-3 lead before Haverstraw erupted in the fourth inning.

Brittany Escribano, who just entered the game and was batting ninth, singled with one out. Corretjer and Michelle Hoppe followed with singles to load the bases. Brianna Rivera laced a two-run single, scoring pinch runner Olivia D'Amelio and Corretjer. Destiney Jones kept the inning going, singling in Hoppe. Rivera scored the fourth run of the inning on a Sam Wagenstein ground out and Jones closed it, coming in on a passed ball.

"We had been hitting the ball hard and started the game with three straight hits," Joe Corretjer said. "We've been having that one inning in each game where we bunch our hits together.

"Tara came in, and this was the first time we brought her in a game to face to heart of the order from the start. We are very pleased with Tara. She has been very effective when she's been in the game."

Taylor Corretjer led the offense with three hits, two RBI and two runs scored. Rivera went 2 for 3 with two RBI and Jennifer Soloman had two hits in four trips and drove in a run. Hoppe had one hit and scored two runs.

This will be the third time, since 2007, that Haverstraw will play a Pennsylvania team at the East Regional. In 2007, when Haverstraw finished fourth in the junior World Series, it beat a Pennsylvania team in the regional semis. Last year, Haverstraw defeated the Pennsylvania champ, 1-0 in the East Regional final.

"I didn't get a chance to see them that much today," Joe Corretjer said. "They're a solid team with good pitching. All the teams that remain are very good and any one of us can win the tournament."

Haverstraw 120 500 1 -- 9-11-2

Waterford 130 000 0 -- 4-6-2

RBI -- Hv: Taylor Corretjer 2, Brianna Rivera 2, Sam Wagenstein, Jennifer Soloman. WP -- Tara Sasso.

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Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010

East Regional Softball Championships

Seniors

Adams throws two-hitter with eight strikeouts over Delaware, 3-0

Haverstraw secures berth in semifinals Thursday

WORCESTER, Mass. -- Vittoria Adams established herself early yesterday and, as a result, it would be a long day for Delaware champion Felton/Harrington.

Adams threw a two-hitter and struck out eight yesterday as Haverstraw blanked Felton/Harrington, 3-0 in pool play of the Little League East Region senior softball division at Jesse Burkett Little League.

Haverstraw improved to 3-0 and booked a spot in the semifinals Thursday. Haverstraw will have today off and then close out pool play tomorrow with Waterford Jr./Sr. Little League (Ct.), noon on Rockwood Field. Adams has allowed one run in 12 innings and owns two wins.

"Vittoria was a big part of the game as she moved the ball around really well, especially the first time through their lineup," Haverstraw manager Joe Corretjer said. "Delaware is a good hitting team and they scored 15 runs against New Jersey. Brianna (Rivera) calls all of the pitches and picks up alot of things back there. We speak to Brianna between innings and we were on the same page with certain hitters.

"Vittoria hit her spots and her velocity was a little too much for them today."

Haverstraw broke from the gate quickly, scoring a run in the first inning. Taylor Corretjer opened the game with a single, swiped second and moved to third on a Michelle Hoppe hit. Rivera chased Corretjer home with a fielder's choice.

Haverstraw increased its lead to three with two runs in the third. Corretjer led off and was safe on an error. Hoppe followed with her second hit of the game. A Destiney Jones' fielder's choice scored Hoppe and Jones scampered home on a Samantha Wagenstein base hit.

"Scoring a run in the first inning was big today because we were facing a really good pitcher," Joe Corretjer said. "The girls were hitting the ball hard against her, especially in the first inning."

Haverstraw 102 000 0 -- 3-6-0

Delaware 000 000 0 -- 0-2-0

RBI -- Hv: Brianna Rivera, Destiney Jones, Samantha Wagenstein. WP -- Vittoria Adams.

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Sunday, August 1, 2010

East Regional Softball Championship

Seniors

Haverstraw opens with 4-1 win over New Jersey

Adams throws five scoreless innings, Rivera delivers two-run triple

WORCESTER, MA. -- Vittoria Adams threw five shut-out innings yesterday as Haverstraw opened the Little League softball East Regional senior championship with a 4-1 win over Pitman (N.J.) at Jesse Burkett Little League.

Haverstraw plays Berwick/Lebannon (Me.) today, 3 p.m.

Adams pitched the first four innings and did not allow a hit and was followed by two spotless innings from Tara Sasson. Adams returned to the game in the seventh inning, relieving Taylor Corretjer, with the bases loaded and no outs. Pitman got its first two hits of the game in the seventh inning.

"This was a good hitting team, but Vittoria was getting ahead of the hitters, mixing her pitches and moving the ball in and out," Haverstraw manager Joe Corretjer said. "Tara came in and was fantastic."

Haverstraw scored all of its runs in the third inning. Olivia D'Amelio led off with a single and Michelle Hoppe singled behind her. Brianna Rivera dropped a double down the right-field line, scoring D'Amelio and Hoppe. Jones came home on a Destiney Jones' fielder's choice to make the score 3-0. Sam Wagenstein and Adams consecutive singles and Karina Mancini singled in Wagenstein.

It was the 14-year-old Mancini's first start and she finished with one hit in two trips and a RBI. The 13-year-old Sasso continued her fine pitching. Beginning with sectionals, Corretjer has been using Sasso in relief and she has responded with numerous zeroes on the scoreboard.

"The younger players know that they have to stay ready at all times because we put them in the game in different ways and different situations," Corretjer said. 'They have been very effective when they have gone in."

Adams, Hoppe and Wagenstein all finished 2 for 4.

Haverstraw 004 000 0 -- 4-9-0

Pitman (NJ) 000 000 1 -- 1-2-1

RBI -- Hv: Brianna Rivera 2, Destiney Jones, Karina Mancini. 3B -- Hv: Brianna Rivera. WP -- Vittoria Adams.

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Saturday, July 31, 2010

East Regional Little League Softball

Seniors

Haverstraw ready to defend its East Regional senior title

2009 champions open against New Jersey representative, Pitman

Tony Pinciaro

TonyP@RocklandSportsNews.com

Once Taylor Corretjer entered the Jesse Burkett Little League complex in Worcester, Ma., yesterday, she immediately smiled.

It was on this field last year that Haverstraw won the Little League softball senior division East Regional and advanced to the World Series.

“Actually, it brought back a lot of memories, happy times and all the success we had,” said Corretjer, who was enjoying an ice cream social for the players at the field. “It’s a great experience being here.”

Haverstraw opens defense of its East Regional title today, 2 p.m. against New Jersey champion, Pitman. The Eastern Regional will conclude Thursday with morning semifinals and a 3 p.m. championship game. The winner moves on to the Little League senior World Series, Aug. 8-14 in Lower Sussex, De.

The 10-team field is divided into two five-team pools. Haverstraw is in Pool B along with Waterford Jr./Sr. Softball (Connecticut), Fulton/Harrington (Delaware), North Berwick/Lebanon (Maine) and Pitman (New Jersey).

Pool A consists of Perryville Community (Maryland), Winchendon (Massachusetts), Bristol Boro (Pennsylvania), Burrillville (Rhode Island) and the host, Jesse Burkett (Massachusetts).

This is Haverstraw’s third consecutive East Regional appearance. Brianna Rivera, Vittoria Adams and Corretjer are veterans of this. In fact, this trio was members of the 2007 Haverstraw junior team that finished fourth in the World Series.

Even with the veteran leadership, Haverstraw welcomed a new group of players this year who will be competing in their first East Regional. Corretjer and the veteran teammates have prepared the younger players for the high-caliber competition.

“We’ve prepared them through practice,” Corretjer said. “They’ve all been playing softball for a long time though. So we want to keep them confident and focused.”

Haverstraw will play Berwick/Lebanon (Maine) tomorrow, Fulton/Harrington (Delaware) Monday, have Tuesday off and finish pool play with Waterford Jr./Sr. Softball (Connecticut) Wednesday.

“The younger girls are doing a really good job and they’re really excited,” Corretjer said. “I’m happy for them that they’re getting to do this.

“For some of us, this is our fourth time and we’re excited we made it. We want to start playing.”

Pool A: Perryville Community (Md.); Winchendon (Mass.); Bristol Boro (Pa.), Burrillville (R.I.) and Jesse Burkett (Mass.)

Pool B: Haverstraw (N.Y.); Waterford Jr./Sr. Softball (Ct.); Fulton/Harrington (De.); North Berwick/Lebanon (Me.) and Pitman (N.J.).

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