BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA
Staff Writer

The Morgan Magic girls fast pitch softball 14U and 12U teams have both qualified for their respective Amateur Softball Association (ASA) national tournaments.

The 14U team is set to play in the ASA Girls 14U B East Fast Pitch Nationals in Auburn, Ala., beginning July 26. Coach Gary Winant's team recently captured the West Jersey Challenge tourney championship in Readington to qualify for the national event.

The Magic opened that tournament with a 7-0 triumph over the Flemington Flames behind the arm of Jennifer Pollard. Morgan then downed the Monroe Thunder, 12-2, as Caitlyn Zahn tossed a two-hitter and Jess Costa and Jennifer Shereyka both contributed a pair of hits.

In game three, the Magic upended the Somerset Heat, 14-6, thanks to three hits by Costa and a home run by first baseman Caitlin Rutigli-ano. In a rematch with the Thunder, Morgan again prevailed, 7-3, as Pollard turned in another strong outing on the hill to put the Magic in the semifinals.

Morgan easily defeated the West Windsor Wildcats by a count of 10-2 to advance to the finals against the Somerset Heat. This time around, the Heat proved a difficult foe, but Morgan managed to win, 13-9. Shereyka, who hit a robust .667 for the tourney, blasted a pair of homers, while Costa and Lauren Ruegger pounded out three hits apiece to lead the offense. Pollard and Zahn combined for the victory on the mound.

"Our pitching and defense were huge," Winant said. "They got the job done. Offensively, the girls hit in the clutch. That's what helped put us over the top."

The 14U team has a pair of tournaments remaining before it heads to Auburn. Next week the Magic will compete in Mount Olive, and the following week the team will play in the Howell Heat Tournament.

Other members of the squad include catcher Amanda Winant, third baseman Cassie Duggan, second baseman Meghan Canney, infielder Nicole Delre, and outfielders Sierra Roccaro, Nicole Spinelli, Julie Braun and Priscilla Bisono.

The 12U Magic also won their division at the West Jersey Challenge and has qualified for the ASA Girls 12U B East Fast Pitch Nationals in Ridgeland, Miss.

The younger Magic team got off to a 1-2 start but came roaring back to take the championship.

The comeback began with a 20-4 victory over the Flemington Flames and was followed by a 5-2 success against the Old Bridge Hustlers, which put coach Casey Pollard's team into the semifinals.

Morgan downed Mount Olive 15-1 to advance to the finals against the undefeated and unscored-upon Hamilton

Hurricanes. The Magic came out strong and went on to an 11-5 triumph.

Throughout the tournament, the Magic received solid pitching from Krystal Pearson, Kristen Fitzsimmons and Annie Cosentino. Catcher Sam Amato also played well, with assistance from Lauren Todd. Margaret Santapaga was a defensive force at first base, while Cosentino handled second and Katie Dovidauskas patrolled the hot corner, while Amato and Andie McKenna played shortstop.

Center fielder Kristina Lisa, McKenna and Rebecca Gannon played well in the outfield. The Magic had to play without versatile Erin Lockwood, who was out of the lineup with a knee injury. Pearson, Santapaga, McKenna and Dovidauskas were the team's top hitters in the tourney.

"The commitment and hard work of the girls on both teams really showed," coach Winant said. "Having the two teams win their championships was, not to sound corny, but a really magical day."