Rockville Centre Juniors win state championship title

The Rockville Centre Little League Juniors Softball team reached a historic milestone and will be representing New York in the World Series East Regional Tournament in Orange, Connecticut. This victory marks the first time a Rockville Centre team has ever secured the coveted New York state Section 4 championship title.

In a thrilling best of three series, the RVC Juniors triumphed over Elmsford, winning two games to one, to secure a spot in the East Regional Tournament. The team is now only just a few games away from earning a place in the Junior Little League Softball World Series, which will take place in Kirkland, Washington, during the first week of August.

After winning the New York Section 4 title, team manager Colin Connelly, along with other coaching members Tim Parliman, Carmine Iandiorio, and Maura Ressegger, are now preparing for the girls’ first game against Maryland on July 20 at 10 a.m., after press time.

Connelly emphasized the importance of the team utilizing available free time for practice and facility usage in Connecticut to hone their skills before the game.

“One thing that we focused on after we won the sectionals and moved into states was that the girls just stayed focused on the task at hand and knew that their talents would always win out,” Connelly said, as the team prepares for the upcoming East Regionals Tournament.

In the opening game of the New York state tournament on July 15, the RVC Little League Juniors Softball team suffered a 1-0 defeat against Elmsford, despite an impressive performance from pitcher Audrey Morrow, who only allowed three hits and one run in six innings.

The team went on to secure their first victory in the series in the second game against Elmsford, which took place on the same day. In six innings, Morrow only allowed one run, striking out four opponents. Emily DeMattia delivered three hits and two RBIs, while Kay Kozlik contributed two hits.

Continuing their winning streak, the RVC Little League Juniors Softball team beat Elmsford 14-6 on July 17, securing their spot in the East Regional tournament. Audrey Morrow, Anne Parliman, and Molly Silecchia combined their pitching skills, while Parliman led the offense with three hits, two RBIs, and two runs, and Marrow contributed two hits and three runs.

The team’s success has not only united supportive parents but also garnered support from the entire Rockville Centre community, including Mayor Francis Murray and other legislators. Connelly received around 200 messages of encouragement and congratulations after the team’s recent win.

“It’s not just the parents that are bringing their kids to the game,” Connelly said. “The whole community is behind us and has been cheering for us from day one.”

The journey of the RVC Little League Juniors Softball team began two years ago thanks to the efforts of Rockville Centre Little League board members who revived the juniors team.

Paul Sewell, the Little League board’s head of softball, has been an advocate for not only the RVC Little League Juniors Softball team but all of the softball teams in Rockville Centre. With parents supporting their children, even those who no longer have children who play, the excitement and pride in Rockville Centre are boundless.

“These girls have faced challenges throughout the season and I fully expect them to meet these challenges, especially when we have an entire community behind us,” Connelly said.

The team will go on to represent New York in the East Regional Tournament where they will play against the top teams from Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Based on their performance during these games, they will go on to play single elimination.