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POCOMOKE CITY – For the first time in program history, Caroline Softball's Senior League All-Star team made it to the state championship game. Even better than that, they won. Now, after an undefeated run through the regular season, district tournament, and state tournament, the team is preparing to represent Maryland at the Senior League East Regional tournament in Worcester, Massachusetts.
The championship capped off a remarkable season for a group of 16 young women. Unlike most All-Star teams that trim rosters to just 12 players, Team Manager Brandon Simering chose to keep every athlete who signed up for the regular season. "I just felt like all 16 should deserve to go," he said, "some of them don't play travel ball, some didn't make their high school teams, they just wanted to play softball."
The Senior All-Star team brings together 14 to 16 year old softballers from across Caroline County. That means some of the current players belong to Colonel Richardson or North Caroline high school teams – making them rivals in one realm and teammates in another. But together, the team's leadership said this group’s chemistry is unmatched.
"They've all kind of come together for the one common goal, and that's to win at All-Stars," Simering said, "There's no arguing. Everybody lifts each other up."
"Softball is 90% mental, in my opinion…these girls never talk about losing. They just go out there and play,” he added.
Caroline Softball President Dan Mulford agreed, saying, "This seniors team is just so incredible. The girls love playing together. The hard work that they constantly put in, and Brandon and the rest of the coaches…just top notch… But the most important thing is they're having fun doing it."
The team's resilience was on full display during the state championship game against Chesapeake City, where Caroline pulled off a 9-7 victory.
"I think we absolutely shocked everybody in the state tournament," Simering said. But the road to the national World Series still runs through Regionals.
Caroline will open regional pool play against New Jersey on Saturday afternoon before facing Delaware that evening. Games against Pennsylvania and New York will follow on Sunday, with the top teams advancing to a single-elimination bracket. The regional champion will go on to the Senior League Softball World Series in Roxana, Delaware.
For several players, this tournament could be the final run of their softball careers. While many also compete in travel ball, others do not and will soon age out of Little League eligibility. "That's what makes this even more special," Simering said.
The historic season has also inspired overwhelming community support. Local businesses, organizations and residents have rallied behind the team, helping raise nearly $10,000 to offset travel expenses.
"The community has been absolutely phenomenal with everything," Mulford said. This money will help offset the cost of lodging and meals for the team so they can keep their eye on the ball.
Those who wish to donate, or want to keep tabs on the team’s success in Worcester, should find Caroline Softball on Facebook.
The Caroline Softball Senior All-Stars team includes Manager Brandon Simering; Coaches Theresa Prete, Rusty Rostien, and Matt Kaczynski; and players Jordyn Bartz, Katrina Benges, Isabelle Curler, Audriana Gosnell, Mackenzie Johnson, Abigail Kaczynski, Alyssa Kaczynski, Alonna Lord, IvyLynn Porter, Tessanna-Bella Prete, Camryn Riddleberger, Morgan Rostien, Julee Simering, Chloe Simmons, Kaileigh Spiering, and Victoria Willoughby.
