STATE CHAMPS! Magical postseason ride continues for Middle Senior League softball team – trip to Massachusetts next

Posted: July 12th 2025

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

DENNIS TOWNSHIP – A group of local teenage softball players and their families are busy making preparations for a trip to New England later this month.

The magic carpet ride of the Middle Township Senior League softball team continues as the club captured the state championship over Bayonne with a wild 13-10 victory Friday evening in Dennis Township.

Middle, which had already cemented District 16 and Section 4 championships to its resume prior to completing its run through the state tournament, will next play in the Senior League Eastern Regional Tournament in Worcester, Mass., July 19-23.

“I just can’t believe this,” said Middle coach Gene Hall, the father of player Grace Hall. “It’s like a dream for these girls. They’re so hyped up, so pumped up.”

Friday’s contest against Bayonne featured plenty of drama. Holding a four-run lead entering the bottom of the final frame, Middle conceded a run and saw Bayonne put runners on first and second with no outs, bringing the tying run to the plate. But Middle’s Kendall Hunter made one of the game’s top defensive plays, hanging on to make the catch of a short fly ball while crashing into right fielder Abby Pelicano. After Middle recorded the second out on a bunt attempt, Grace Hall ended the game by cleanly fielding a ground ball at shortstop and tossing to Charlotte Romberger at first base for the final out, touching off a wild celebration as Middle’s players and coaches euphorically rushed the field.

Middle is a four-time district champion but the team broke through with its first section championship and now a state title this summer.

“Every year I feel like we got a little better,” coach Hall said. “We faced some good teams over the years and we made a lot of mistakes and learned from them. This is the pinnacle. It’s the last year of this for a lot of the girls so to end it like this for them, it’s awesome.”

Middle led the game from start to finish, but not without facing some serious comeback attempts by Bayonne. Middle ran out to a 6-0 lead after 1 ½ innings, highlighted by a two-run double by K.J. Schaffer and RBI hits by Sammie Schaffer and Tori Atwood. But Bayonne pulled to within two runs at 8-6 after the third inning to make sure Middle didn’t run away early.

Leading 9-6 after five innings, Middle gave itself some further breathing room by scoring four runs with two outs in the sixth. Pelicano walked and stole second before Grace Hall lined a single to right to score her, with Grace Hall moving up to second on the throw to the plate and later scoring on K.J. Schaffer’s single to right. K.J. Schaffer and Atwood later scored on a wild pitch.

Atwood went 3 for 4 with four runs scored and two RBI and K.J. Schaffer had two hits, two runs scored and three RBI to lead Middle. Grace Hall, Sammie Schaffer, Romberger and Pelicano each posted two hits.

Sammie Schaffer pitched 1 2/3 innings in relief of Grace Hall for the save, allowing just one unearned run.

While Middle made its share of mistakes on the field, the team also came up with numerous outstanding defensive plays at key moments. In addition to Hunter’s catch in the seventh, Grace Hall made a nifty play for an out in the sixth when she pounced from the pitcher’s mound to field a swinging bunt, scooped the ball with her glove and tossed all in one motion to Atwood for a force out at home. And in the bottom of the fifth, with Bayonne trailing 9-6 with two runners on base and two outs, K.J. Schaffer ran down a line drive in the gap in left center for an out just a couple of steps from the fence to end the threat.

Middle, which ran its record to 8-0 in the Senior League playoffs, was no doubt aided by being able to compete in the state tournament so close to home, while the other three section champs in the tournament – Bayonne, Toms River and Pennsville – each faced long travel to the tournament.

Middle won the double-elimination tournament by going unbeaten in three games.

“For years, these girls have been all over the place playing softball,” coach Hall said. “To play in Dennis, this is like our second home field. Almost all of our girls have played a lot of games here. Everyone here at Dennis has been phenomenal for this tournament. It was definitely a huge advantage to play here.”

Middle now gets a few days to enjoy its state championship and regroup before traveling north for the eight-team Eastern Regional Tournament. The winner will advance to the Senior League Softball World Series in Lower Sussex, Del., July 28-Aug. 3.

“It’s not over,” coach Hall said. “We’re looking to do some damage up in Massachusetts.”

Prior to the trip, many of the players will have to ask for additional time off from understanding bosses at their summer jobs.

“It’s been ridiculous,” coach Hall said with a laugh. “Thank God the girls have good people working with them and they understand what’s going on. They know softball is life for these girls. They’re taking off, leaving early and they’re all missing things to be able to make a commitment to play here. But they wouldn’t change a thing.”

(Note: Middle’s players 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.)