The Roberto Clemente Little League softball program has been one of the finest around and has once again produced a stellar champion.
The Clemente All-Stars recently won the Senior League (ages 16-to-18) title at both the District 7 and Section 2 levels and will now head to the state championships this week in Manasquan.
The locals were set to face Lincroft Little League’s All-Stars in the opening round of the state tournament.
Many of the members of the Clemente All-Stars have been playing together since they were nine years old.
Pitcher Jaylene Sierra, the Hudson Reporter All-Area honoree from Ferris, as well as Ferris teammate Maria Montes and Kayla Reyes of Dickinson have all been playing together on the same teams since they were practically infants.
“It makes things so much easier having girls who are familiar with each other,” said Clemente head coach Felix Montes, the father of catcher Maria.
“It feels good to know that they’re all together,” the elder Montes said. “They know what’s expected of them. They know what they’re supposed to do all these years.”
Montes likes his team’s chances whenever Sierra is on the mound.
“She gives us a good chance to win,” Montes said.
It also helps that his daughter is behind the plate, working with pitcher Sierra.
“Maria has been Jaylene’s catcher for a long time and that helps,” Montes said. “Having two important players so comfortable with each other really makes a difference. Kayla [Reyes] is just an added bonus.”
If Sierra is not on the mound, then Nayeli Estremera gets the ball.
“She throws the ball hard,” Montes said.
Mariah Villanueva of McNair Academic is another solid catcher on the squad. Estremera, the team’s slugger, is at first base.
Naya Olacio, the sister of former Hoboken great Naomi, mans shortstop with Mya Villanueva, an eighth grader headed to McNair Academic, playing third base.
The outfield is solid with Victoria Navarro in left field, Samantha Eatman in centerfield and Candida Rodriguez in right. All three young ladies play softball at Ferris.
Montes believes his team has a shot to win the state title, especially after their fine run through the District and Sectional levels.
“I feel like we have as good of a chance as anyone,” Montes said. “We have a chance. We like our chances. We’re not going to be underdogs.”
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