New Jersey Mystics Premier Wins WFC World Series National Championship in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
The New Jersey Mystics Premier girls softball team finished their 2016/2017 on top, capturing the 16U WFC World Series National Championship. The World Series was a week-long tournament in Myrtle Beach South Carolina featuring teams from all over the country. The tournament started July 31 and finished August 5. The Mystics finished the week with a 9–1 record while scoring a total of 59 runs and giving up only 13.
Finishing as Runner Up in last year’s WFC World Series just didn’t “do it” for Coach Rich Onorato’s Mystics Girls Softball team. The team made up their minds early in the fall season that one of the major goals was to come back and win the World Series Championship this year. The Mystics is a team that trains and competes year round. This team that played together as a unit this week was developed from the ground up, The team has a core group of girls who started with the team at ages 9 &10. The Mystics Premier are a closely knit family both on and off the field, as can be seen by anyone witnessing their games. The team suffered two debilitating injuries early in the summer that reduced the roster from 12 to only 10 girls for the majority of the season. The team lost Kendall Harvey (Pitcher/1st Base) with a broken ankle and Candace Delio (OF/IF) with a broken finger. Now with a shortened roster and some girls playing out of positon and taking on different roles the challenge became even more daunting. Both players traveled with the team throughout the season and where always there to support and help any way possible. Through hard work and countless hours of rehab, Candace was able to come back in time for the final tournament and make a significant impact defensively. Kendall’s role was just as significant during the championship run as she worked hand in hand with the pitchers during the games.
In a field of 24 teams from all over the country, there was serious competition over the 6 days. Going into the Championship game undefeated, spirits were high, having won their first eight games. In the Championship The Mystics would again face the Wisconsin Bandits whom they had defeated soundly in the semi-final game. The Bandits where able to win back through the losers bracket to reach the Championship game. With a 3 hour rain delay, unusual field conditions, and in a defensive battle, the Mystics lost by a 1–0 score. Since the Mystics were undefeated until then, the Bandits would have to beat them twice, and the Mystics loss resulted in a second game for the Championship Ring. With a deep breath, renewed determination, strong pitching, and solid offensive and defensive performance, the Mystics achieved their season’s quest with an 8–0 shutout. Top offensive performers included Payton MacNair (15 hits 15 RBI), Madison Melvin (14 hits, 15 runs), Hailey Melvin (12 hits, 11 runs), Morgan Tripodi (11 hits, 9 RBI) other top offensive performers included Ashley Delany (7 hits, 7 RBI), Brenna MacNair (9 hits, 5 runs), Riece Onorato (8 hits), Danielle Walters (8 hits), Kaylie Takacs (7 hits), Kyra Mortensen (6 hits), and D’Aaliyah Patterson (7runs).
Pitchers Riece Onorato and Danielle Walters showed great control and determination throughout the week, allowing only 8 earned for the entire 10 game tournament. The pitchers were in good hands with catchers Morgan Tripodi and Kyra Mortensen behind the plate, both controlled the game and called timely pitches in key situations. Every player contributed at the plate, while Madison Melvin, Haley Melvin, Payton MacNair (playing with a sprained ankle and brace), were threats on the base paths. That combination and stellar defense for the entire tournament brought the Mystics Premier a well-deserved
World Series National Championship.
Team Roster: #2 1B Ashley Delany, #7 SS Payton MacNair, #8 OF Kaylie Takacs, #10 P/OF Riece Onorato, #11 2B Madison Melvin, #12 C Kyra Mortensen, #15 1B/P Kendall Harvey, #21 OF/1B Hailey Melvin,
#22 CF/3B/SS Candace Delio, #32 P/3B Danielle Walters, #42 OF D’Aaliyah Patterson, #52 OF Brenna MacNair, #75 C/3B Morgan Tripodi, Coach Rich Onorato, Coach Randy MacNair


Back: Coach Randy MacNair, Morgan Tripodi, Kendall Harvey, Kyra Mortensen, Ashley Delany, Madison Melvin, Kaylie Takacs, Candace Delio, Coach Rich Onorato
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