All-stars from neighboring leagues start a new rivalry

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Above, Janine Roth tries to earn a hit during Sunday’s all-star game in Colts Neck, which pitted the best of the Monmouth County Women’s Softball League against the best from Mercer County.

When the Mercer Coun-ty Women’s Softball League was formed this year, it was modeled after the Monmouth County Women’s Softball League.

The Monmouth County league, now in its 20th season, has continued to grow in popularity and participation with each season, providing the Mercer County league with a perfect model.

“They modeled their league after ours,” said Bobbi Pirro, who heads the Monmouth County league. “We gave them all of our specs, and they play modified slow-pitch just like us. The only difference is that they play with nine fielders, while we play with 10. We just like to get as many people in the game as possible.”

Monmouth pitcher Mary Gardiner fires the ball to the plate during Sunday’s game in Colts Neck.

On Sunday, the two leagues met for the first of what both sides hope will become an annual all-star game at Bucks Mill Field in Colts Neck. And the result was a thrilling, competitive game that proved that both leagues include a high level of play.

Surprisingly enough, it was Mercer that came out on top, 2-0, in what Pirro described as a tremendous pitcher’s battle.

“They are a very good team, and it was a real battle,” Pirro said. “We got picked off first a couple of times, and left some runners on third base. It was just an excellent, well-played game.”

Former Monmouth University standout Tiffany Kenney, whom Pirro called the “league top pitcher” handled the pitching duties for the Monmouth squad, and was her usual stellar self. But in the end, it was the Mercer County women who came out on top.

“They are a younger league also in terms of the age of the players,” Pirro said. “They have a lot of younger players, while our players range in age a bit more. Our youngest player is 18 while our oldest is 72.”

Now that the all-star game is out of the way, the Monmouth County teams can focus on the second half of the regular season, with an eye on the playoffs, set for mid-August.

But they will also be looking forward to next year’s rematch.