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...L _6_C C_O_U_RI_E_R_-P_O_S_T_, T_h_U_rS_d_a_ y ,_J_U_ly_3_0,_2_0_09 SOUTH JERSEY SPoRTS. __ --, C.D. National looks for more By BOB VIGGIANO Courier-Post Staff CHERRY HILL Less than a month ago, Nick D'Amelio never gave a thought to the idea he would be making a trip to Worcester, Mass., this weekend. But in a hectic two-week period, things changed quickly. Now, D'Amelio' will take a group of gritty and talent- ed girls to the Senior Little League Eastern Regional Softball Tournament with the hopes ofgaining a berth in the World Series next month. When D'Amelio assem- bled his Cherry Hill Nation- al team for the South Jer- sey sectional tournament he saw some good things, but there were still some question marks. "I felt we were going to be solid on defense," D'A- melio said. "I just wasn't sure how good we would be offensively." But once the tourna- ment got underway, ques- tion marks were quickly erased. "Quite honestly, I was surprised how well we hit up and down the lineup," the coach said. "Kind of re- minded me of the Phillies. I did feel all along we could be competitive but you nev- er know what you're going to run up against. The girls just played beautifully." With the entire starting team composed of players from Cherry Hill East and Cherry Hill West high schools, National roared through the sectional tour- nament.- winning three games by a combined score of38-8. Last week, it won the state championship by beating College High ofJer- .sey City 20-2and 18-1in a best-of-three series. It marked the first time since 1953a Cherry Hill National senior team won a state championship. "The girls did a great job," D'Amelio said. "We went right to the sectional tournament because there were no other teams in Dis- trict 13. So the girls were thrown right into the fire." Arielle Kitey of Cherry Hill East has been the No.1 pitcher and Alex Auletto of Cherry Hill West has also handled some ofthe mound duties. "Pitching rules in Little League are a little different than high school rules," said D'Amelio, who coached at different levels at Camden Catholic for 15 years. "If you pitch five or more innings one day, you can't pitch the next day. So if you get a big lead you might think of using two pitchers so both can pitch the next day. So it is kind of a chess match." Kitey has also been one of the top hitters, rapping out three homers and four doubles in the five games. Her sister, Rebecca, the catcher, has five triples so far. Shortstop Nicole Esco- bar and right fielder Steph- anie Garfagno are each hit- ting a lifty .400and cleanup hitter Kristen DiGuglielmo has two triples. Kristen Grimley, Lisa Photo provided Alex Auletto and her Cheny Hill National teammates are off to the Senior Uttle League' Eastem Regional softball toumament in Massachusetts. Kosteleski, Kyra Holiday ment will be pool play and and Alyssa Garcia have al- each team is quaranteed so made significant contri- four games. butions. . The top two teams in "It has been a real team each pool will meet in the effort so far," D'Amelio semifmals and the champ i- said. "The girls are excited onship will be decided on about the trip, and so am I. Aug. 6. Hopefully we will be able to The winner advances to make a good showing up the World Series in Lower there." Sussex County in Delaware The team will not know starting on Aug. 9. its opening opponent on Saturday until Friday Reach Bob Viggiano at (856) 486-2424. night's dr e=t~o:urn~a:.:.-~~==:::=:::=::::::::;;~ ----~----~--~------------~
