Roseland 5th and 6th Grade Girls Win Softball Championship

Pictured: Backrow Coaches Emily Critchett, Chris Critchett, James Spango, Adam Castro, Pete Pannucci, Angela Gillespie, Jen Bardi

Standing: Sarah Critchett, Madison Spango, Brooklyn Spango, Deanna Fernandez, Ava Pannucci, Alexandra Castro, Brooke Gillen, Josephina Gillespie

Kneeling: Grace McGovern, Cara Bardi, Hailey Sturchio, Nina Piccione

Roseland, NJ - On a beautiful night in June, 12 determined softball players, wearing smiles and eye black, gave the town of Roseland the thrill it didn’t know it needed. The Roseland Nationals scored three runs in the bottom of the 7th inning to defeat East Hanover/Florham Park, 4-3, in epic fashion and earn the West Essex Junior 5th/6th Grade Softball Championship on June 10.

Minutes before Alexandra Castro was hit by a pitch, forcing home Josephina Gillespie with the winning, walk-off run, the Nationals were in an unfamiliar position. They were losing. Through the first eight games, they had never trailed; going a perfect 8-0 during the regular season and earning home field advantage in the final. As it turns out, that advantage would end up playing a huge role in the championship. Harrison Field turned into the most happening spot in Roseland, with more and more residents showing up every inning and siblings climbing as high as they could on the new swing sets next to the field to get a better view of their sisters in action. By the time the bottom of the 7th rolled around, the chants of “Let’s Go Roseland” were so loud, coaches lost their voices trying to bark instructions and words of encouragement needed to spark a rally. 

And rally, the Nationals did. Down 1-0 going into their final at-bat, the Nationals manufactured the tying run with Ava Pannucci working a bases-loaded walk to force in Brooklyn Spango. East Hanover/Florham Park responded with two runs in the top of the 7th and Roseland had their backs against the wall again. Unfazed, the Nationals remained patient at the plate and started to chip away. Gillespie drove in Madison Spango on a fielder’s choice and Brooklyn Spango forced in Cara Bardi with a walk. With two outs and the bases-loaded, Castro took one for the team and the celebration was on. Sparkling apple cider baths, crazy dance moves, and high fives were only halted a few seconds at a time so proud mothers wearing matching team shirts could take pictures with their giddy daughters. No one wanted to leave. It felt that good.

The dramatic comeback came as no surprise to those following the team all year. The season began with Nina Piccione scoring from second base on a single for a 1-0 walk-off win against Fairfield and they never looked back. Brooke Gillen (15 innings pitched, 40 strikeouts, 1 run allowed) and Alexandra Castro (23 innings pitched, 35 strikeouts, 3 runs allowed) proved to be the most formidable pitching duo in the league. When the opposition made good contact, the defense was usually in position to make the play. While pitching and defense may have been the team strengths, Roseland’s patience at the plate and knack for picking up big hits were equally important. Gillen lead the team in batting average (.750) and swatted two home runs. Pannucci (.579) and Castro (.478) also sported healthy averages and keyed victories with timely hits. But, maybe most impressively, Roseland earned over 100 walks on the year with the lead-off hitter, Brooklyn Spango, tallying a team-high 21 and tying for the team lead with 10 runs scored. 

Most of the Nationals hadn’t picked up a softball in over a year when the season began. They worked hard and improved every week. Maybe it was the countless ground balls Madison Spango took at third base that put her in position to make the bang-bang play that kept Roseland in the championship game. Or Sarah Critchett catching the fire-baller Gillen more effectively each week so she could get those strike calls on the corners. Or Grace McGovern earning more playing time at second base for her hard work in practice. Maybe it was the incredible increase in confidence and acumen at the plate exhibited by Hailey Sturchio and Deanna Fernandez. Or, maybe it was all of it. Because this is an incredible team; a sum of 12 amazing parts.

In a spring where we all needed a win, the Roseland Nationals delivered.