William Annin Middle School Plays In 2024 Softball League Champion

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Head Coach John Fico and Assistant Coach Hayley Fico lead the William Annin Middle School softball team to another 9 and 3 winning season.

The coaching staff did an outstanding job in deploying a lineup that chased nearly every pitcher off the mound early. Hard to argue that behind the plate — this WAMS team was a complete hit squad.

The coaches and players from top to bottom truly played together all season long and exemplified what it means to play hard from the first pitch to the last.

In a rematch from 2023, the WAMS Softball Team played a tough and very talented Warren team. Despite Warren taking a 7 to 1 lead into the 5th inning, the Vikings fought back with 5 runs in the 6th to make it a 1-run game heading into the bottom of the 7th by a score of 7-6.

Warren picked up 1 more run and played a defensive gem in the top of the 7th to fight off one more charge from the Vikings and take home the CJSAA championship by a final score of 8 to 6.

The core of this team will change dramatically for next season — 11 of the 15 players will be heading off to different High Schools. But this Team will be remembered for being just that and more — a "team" yes, but a mini-family with every member having earned their own branch in the WAMS Vikings Softball Family Tree.

Our most sincere congratulations on another hard-fought and remarkable season goes out to our coaches and players and we thank them all for leaving it all on the field and for making us proud.

Statistical Highlights:
Team Batting Average = .420 | On Base % = .503 | Slugging % = .673
154 Hits | 130 RBIs | 12 Home Runs | 146 Runs | 60 Walks | Stolen Base % = 98.4 [Caught Stealing Only 1 Time out of 63 attempts] | .432 Batting Average RISP | 45 - 2 Out RBIs | 1.176 OPS [On Base + Slugging]

— Submitted by WAMS Softball Team