By Matthew Rocco
The Lincroft Little League Major League Softball All-Stars repeated as District 19 champions, propelled by a strong lineup and exceptional defense.
Lincroft clinched the district title with an 8-3 victory over Manalapan. The team rallied for three runs in the first inning to take the early lead, fueled by a solo home run by Ava Delaney and run-scoring hits by Bella Lanzalotto and Hope Mullane. Lindsay Belz drove in a run in the second inning. With a 6-3 lead in the fifth inning, Lincroft extended its advantage with RBI singles by Ava Montalbano and Kylie Doyle.
Mullane also got it done in the circle. She struck out nine batters and allowed just three hits over six innings. Lincroft faced Manalapan earlier in the District 19 tournament, and Mullane threw a no-hitter as Lincroft won, 5-0. It was one of three no-hitters for Mullane in District 19 and Section 3 play.
“We had a good mix of 11- and 12-year-olds. This year we preached that it’s not ‘I’ and ‘me,’ it’s ‘us’ and ‘we,’ ” manager Craig Belz said. “Our defense was spot on. We would tell them that if we execute and play as a team, we win.”
Lincroft carried the momentum from its District 19 crown into the Section 3 tournament, where the team advanced to the championship game. After falling to Robbinsville, 8-1, in its Section 3 opener, Lincroft won three in a row to earn a rematch. The team made the most of it. Lincroft forced a winner-take-all final after a thrilling 6-5 victory, thanks to a walk-off double by Lindsay Belz in the bottom of the sixth. Robbinsville ultimately prevailed, taking the Section 3 championship game, 6-0.
Most of the Lincroft All-Stars have played together since they were 8 years old. In fact, the District 19 title is the third consecutive district championship for this squad. Lincroft won as 9- and 10-year-olds in 2014 before taking the Major League Softball district title last year.
“When they come to Lincroft, they know what to expect,” manager Belz said.
The Lincroft All-Stars were Lindsay Belz, Riley Coneeny, Ava Delaney, Kylie Doyle, Gianna Fendrich, Kylie Fuerbacher, Carlee Iannone, Bella Lanzalotto, Renee Lioudakis, Ava Montalbano, Hope Mullane and Lia Simoniello. Craig Belz’s coaching staff consisted of Chris Lanzalotto and Steve Fuerbacher.
