Asbury Park Press
MARLBORO -- A remarkable postseason run to a section title, despite entering the state playoffs at 12-12, by Marlboro's softball team was characterized in a variety of different ways. But for coach Nick Scalzo, he wants to make it clear that shouldn't be misinterpreted as a fluke.
"I don't think that we're on a 'magical' run, I think we're a good team," Scalzo said.
Plus, there's now a history of this happening for the program.
Marlboro dropped a season-ending 16-5 decision Tuesday to Vineland in the state Group 4 semifinal but this was the second straight year the Mustangs have been a section champion - and in 2023 they won the state championship.
Vineland (26-2) will go on to try to capture the program’s first-ever state championship when it plays Watchung Hills (27-3) in Friday’s title game at Ivy Hill Park in Newark.
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"16-5. I gotta tip my cap to Vineland. They hit the ball when they needed to, they play great defense," Scalzo said Marlboro coach Nick Scalzo. "I have to tell you though, the officiating behind the plate was atrocious. We had to throw down the middle of the plate, and any good team is gonna hit the ball. The umpire made it about himself today, and it's a shame."
"He did it for both sides, so we could say fair enough. But the pitchers aren't taught to do that all year. I don't understand why now in a state semifinal, that we have to adjust," he added.
Fielding woes, unfavorable calls a lethal combination for Marlboro softball
Still, the Mustangs had far too many self-inflicted wounds as the defense had uncharacteristic lapses beginning in the first inning and continuing throughout the game.
The same outfield that had been exceptional in the section final victory over Northern Burlington was plagued by mistakes and inefficiencies that gave extra opportunities to a dangerous offense. There were a handful of balls that dropped between multiple fielders, seemingly a result of miscommunication or poor execution or some combination of the two.
After falling behind 6-0, the Mustangs fought back in the bottom of the fourth as Emily Gaudio got an RBI single and Isabella Wuelfing astutely stole home to cut the deficit to 6-2. But the sixth inning was a mess - a Vineland ground ball to the pitcher was slightly mishandled and then not caught at first base; a subsequent ground ball to third was also mishandled; then came a three-run home run.
Ultimately, Vineland certainly felt like the superior team with a sharp defense and dangerous lineup. But the result was obfuscated by the nature of the officiating. But there was a distasteful ending as the Vineland players waved at the Marlboro dugout prior to the postgame handshake. It was a contrast to the Marlboro players who did not push back against the officiating or the opposition in the wake of the unceremonious ending to their season.
"(Vineland is) a good team and they deserve it. We didn't do the little things today," said Scalzo. "My kids played hard. I'm proud of them. They're back-to-back sectional champs. Sure, somebody's got to lose unfortunately. That's the name of the game, but I am super proud of them and how they played and how they kept their composure today."
After Scalzo's 16 years, Marlboro has established itself as a power
The secret to the program's success was never magic, it was substance. It was an approach refined over a decade-and-a-half as Scalzo steadily built a winner in Marlboro. It was an uphill battle, and so the Mustangs embraced uphill battles.
"They're a little spunky, little scrappy group," said Scalzo. "They responded, and to me that's them not giving up. And I appreciate that and all that they do."
Marlboro loses a robust class of seniors that will be difficult to replace. But the future is very bright with Emily Gaudio getting back to full strength as a pitcher, freshman phenom Isabella Wuelfing only getting better, and standouts Adison Ditillo and Aimee Notaro returning to lead the group next season as seniors.
The Mustangs are now a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
"It took a long time to try and get us over that hump," said Scalzo. "We talked a lot about standard this year, and the standard is there. They made the standard last year (with a state title). So this is the standard: to get to this game and then hopefully next time win. So these kids know what's expected.
There were tears and shocked faces across the players in the immediate aftermath of the game. But then, in particular among seniors Stephanie Ciravolo and Isabella Pitarresi, there was joy. There was gratitude for the journey and the experience. It was a testament to the character of the program and the leadership of those that turned it into a winner.
There is a lone plaque on the back of Marlboro's home dugout. It has the names of all the players on the 2023 state title team. There's room for more plaques, like this year's sectional title. It is the legacy built by the players who held their heads high as they walked off the field even after a debacle in their season finale.
The great teams are not defined by their failures, they are defined by how they respond. One final time this season, the Marlboro Mustangs proved how great they were.
