DYNASTY: Middle Senior League softball team wins fourth straight district championship

Posted: June 27th 2025

Middle Township has produced a dynasty when it comes to Senior League softball.

Middle’s team picked up its fourth straight District 16 championship by sweeping Northfield, three games to none, in a best-of-five championship series earlier this week.

After winning the first game by forfeit due to Northfield not having enough available players, Middle posted a 17-8 win in Game 2 behind three hits and two RBI apiece from K.J. Schaffer, Charlotte Romberger and Jules Sittineri. Samantha Shaffer and Elle Curvan each added two hits. Tori Atwood and Shyle Thron each chipped in a hit and two RBI. Samantha Schaffer tossed four scoreless innings with eight strikeouts in relief to get the pitching win.

In the deciding game, Romberger went 3 for 3 with three RBI and Abby Pelicano added a three-run double to lead Middle to a 13-3 win. K.J. Schaffer had two hits, two runs scored and three RBI and Atwood and Grace Hall each had two runs scored.

Some of the players on Middle’s team have won seven straight district titles dating back to the Little League level.

Middle is next in action for a doubleheader against Buena on Sunday at home in the Section 4 Tournament. A third game, if necessary, would be played Monday. The winner of that best-of-three series moves on to the state tournament.

The players on Middle’s team include Abby Pelicano, Bella Cullican, Briana Knights, Charlotte Romberger, Elle Curvan, Emma Gotwals, Grace Hall, Isla Boice, Jules Sittineri, Kendall Hunter, K.J. Shaffer, Lizzy Weiland, Meghan Carter, Samantha Schaffer, Shyle Thron and Tori Atwood. The team is coached by Gene Hall, Joe Schaffer, Nick Sittineri and Bill Thron.