Hot summer days and pool parties couldn’t slow the 13- and 14-year-old girls of Little Ferry/South Hackensack All-Star softball team. Sliding into home and catching fly balls, the collection of girls on the Angels squad captured the 2008 New Jersey Little League State championship. This is the first year that the Little Ferry/South Hackensack Junior League won the state title.

"For a small town like Little Ferry (and South Hackensack) to win a Little League State championship is incredible," said coach Frank Mele.

The road to the title

The Angels first traveled to Edgewater, where the girls won the District 6 title. Then it was off to Hudson County, where LF/SH captured the Section 2 crown. The State Tournament took place in Lodi from July 24 to 28. There, the Angels defeated Ocean Township, 11-1, and South Vineland, 14-7. In the championship final, LF/SH toppled Mendham, 14-7.

The team was scheduled to compete in the Eastern Regional Tournament in Syracuse between Aug. 1 and 7, after press deadline. That tournament featured 12 championship teams from the East. The winner advances to the Junior League Softball World Series in Kirkland, Wash.

The team

The Angels, which consists of 13 girls from Little Ferry and South Hackensack, have shown camaraderie and togetherness throughout their playoff run. Many of the players compete with one another on the U-Gals team, but the Angels squad is considered their main team.

"This is a successful program," said Mele. "They really work hard and have fun together."

Team manager, Ben Scholz, echoed his coach’s response.

"They really care about each other and put the team first. They play for each other and they are really a special group of kids," he said.

Scholz’s daughter, Stefanie, is part of the Angels and her dedication to the team is remarkable. Not just a pitcher and a shortstop for the team, Stefanie also plays with PDA, an elite soccer club. During the team’s State championship games, Stefanie also had a soccer tournament in Virginia Beach. Dedicated, she played the opening game of the State championships on a Friday night in Lodi, then traveled with her father to Virginia Beach the following morning for a Monday soccer game.

After the soccer game, Stefanie and her father loaded their car and traveled back to Bergen County, where they arrived in time for the Monday night championship game.

"She is the team’s captain and an incredible leader," said Mele.

According to Mele, neither he nor the other coaches nor the players were certain if Stefanie and her father would arrive in time for the game. But in dramatic fashion, Stefanie ran onto the field just as the team was being announced. After the game finished, Stefanie jumped back into the car and her father drover her back to Virginia Beach so she could finish her soccer tournament.

Quick center fielder Stephanie Encarcion hit a home run over the center field fence during game one of the states. Sue Meek is a very smart player and another team leader. According to Mele, she is "the spark that makes us go." She plays great defense and is a lead-off hitter.

Britney Glidden played first base and had many big hits. "She is also tough in the clutch," said Mele. The 14 year olds also include outfielders Amber LoCurto, Sarah Ayyatt and Olivia Esposito.

The 13 year olds on the team really played to win. Kallie Francis — a pitcher, catcher and outfielder — hit two home runs against South Vineland. Her twin sister, Briana, plays a different position almost every inning. With no other arms to go to, Mele said the team summoned Briana to pitch against South Vineland, and she responded with a great game. Caitlen Hertel, Clarissa Marchia, Jennifer Mele were all very key to the games in their Junior League and without them, the team couldn’t have come this far, Mele added

Scholz and Mele, along with second coach Paul Hertel, could not ask for a better team of girls. Both very proud of the group, they were anticipating the games in Syracuse.