Erial 9-10 Softball Falls in Championship Series

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Erial Little League. It also marks the inaugural season for Erial girls' softball.

The league, which has been in existence since 1982, has been churning out successful baseball teams year after year since its inception. Last year, Erial's Majors Division baseball team (11- and 12-year-old boys) advanced all the way to the state tournament, where they finished runner-up.

This year has proved to be another successful year for the organization, for both the baseball and softball teams.

In a storybook season, the Erial Tarheels, a Minors Division (9- and 10-year old girls) softball team, advanced all the way to the Division Championship series.

The Tarheels fell to the Bellmawr Pintos Wednesday night in the second game of a best-of-three championship series. Erial had lost Game 1 on Monday night.

Despite the loss, the Tarheels finished the regular season with a 13-0 record, garnering the number one seed. They remained undefeated through the playoffs, arriving at Monday's Championship series Game 1 with a perfect record.

The Tarheels lineup consisted of Olivia Albertson, Madison Burnite, Morgan Fisher, Aliya Garozzo , Hailie Mevoli, Nikki Pizzo, Alyssa Shawver, Mikayla Thompson, Samantha Whited and Morgan Wolfson.

The team was coached by Gino Mevoli, John Garozzo, Chris Sciulli and Todd Wolfson. 

Mevoli said that the inaugural season was an "absolute success" for the league and for the girls. 

Erial's softball program had a total of seven teams in its first season, including two other Minors Division teams, the Wolverines and the Jayhawks. While the other teams didn't experience the success the Tarheels did, Mevoli is confident that this is just the beginning for all of the girls in the program. 

"The girls worked very hard and they all progressed throughout the season," Mevoli said. "From the first-year players to the seasoned veterans, each player contributed in every game and at every level."

Though disappointed by the loss Wednesday night, the players and their families were all very proud of the season that they had.

For now, the girls are focusing on this Saturday's "Fun Day" at the Erial Little Leauge's George Erdbrink Complex. A family event for all of the league's teams and their families, Fun Day will begin at 9:00 a.m. and continue until 7:00 p.m. 

In addition to trophy presentations for each of the teams, there will be games, face-painting, a home run derby, a skills challenge, and other activities for all ages. 

What's next for the Tarheels? According to the coaching staff, the girls will be working hard in the off-season, and getting ready for fall ball. 

For now, several girls from the Tarheels and the other two Minors Division teams will be teaming up to represent Erial in the upcoming district tournament. The tournament begins June 23, when Erial takes on crosstown rival Blackwood in what is sure to be an exciting game.