Morgan Magic girls start tourney season with title

The Morgan Magic 16U girls softball team won three straight games recently to bring home the championship in the Toms River Lightning Tournament.

Coach Gary Winant's Magic started the tourney slowly, going 1-2 on the first day, but the team rebounded the next day behind solid pitching and excellent defense.

The Magic began play on the second day with a 10-1 success against the Toms River Lightning Gold contingent as Colleen Leschinski hurled a complete game and her teammates pounded out 11 hits.

Next up, Morgan met the Howell Heat and emerged with a 3-0 victory. Angela Riscinti went the distance for the shutout as left fielder Ashley Brush went 3-for-3 at the plate and second baseman Ashley Hausmann went 2-for-2.

In the finale, the Magic played the North Edison Blue Devils. Morgan won a 4-2 decision with Leschinski back on the mound. She also went 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI to help secure the win.

"Our girls are really starting to come around, and they're playing more and more like a team," Winant said. "When our pitching and defense is on, we can play with anyone."

The Magic will have plenty of opportunities, because Winant said his team will play in about nine or 10 tournaments during the summer.

Thus far, the team's top hitters have been catcher/first baseman Samantha Ambrose, third baseman Cassandra Duggan, center fielder Jessica Costa, and catcher Amanda Winant.

Other members of the Magic include second baseman/outfielder Kerry Fitzsimmons, outfielder Jessica Hartland, outfielder Nicole Spinelli, first baseman Caitlin Rutigliano, pitcher Kristen Whitmore and shortstop Whitney Zrebiec.

Coach Winant is assisted by Brian Stoors and Paul Campbell.

- Warren Rappleyea