Chelsea Manto makes a play at second base during a practice at Tantum Park on July 15.
Robbinsville Little League players Chelsea Manto and Sara Toscano lead their team to championships.
Back in the 1980s, then-Eagles coach Buddy Ryan cut future Hall of Famer Cris Carter, saying “all the guy does is catch touchdown passes.”
You could say something along the same lines about Chelsea Manto and Sara Toscano—all they do is win championships. And no one dares thinking about cutting them.
The dynamic duo won its fourth straight District 12 and Section 3 softball titles this summer—two with the Robbinsville’s 10-year-olds and two with the 12s—and followed up with another state championship on July 16 to advance to the Mid-Atlantic Regionals. On July 25, RLL defeated Scarborough, Maine, 11-0, to advance to the East region semifinals.
Manto and Toscano are part of the never-ending supply of quality players who seem to pour through the Robbinsville Little League softball system, and have helped keep the tradition alive with a quality cast of performers around them.
It’s a younger group that the duo have helped with their experience in big games.
“Chelsea and Sarah are a big part of the team,” said manager Anthony Manto, Chelsea’s dad who has coached this group for four years. ”This was their fourth time in a row going to the New Jersey State tournament in little league. It’s really been a big help for them knowing what to expect, especially some of the younger kids who haven’t been in this situation.
“They know what to expect. Chelsea is at shortstop and our leadoff batter and she’s a nice calming influence in the infield. Both of them really help out everyone during practice as well. “
Entering the state tournament, Manto was batting .500 (12-for-24) with six RBI and 14 runs scored, while Toscano was batting .538 (7-for-13). But the value goes beyond statistics.
“It’s been challenging this year because I have to set an example for the team to show them what kind of work needs to go into every practice and game,” Chelsea Manto said. “I always work hard at practice and give it my all.
“I try to remind my teammates that practice makes permanent…to use my dad’s words. I try to be encouraging as possible and I talk to and cheer everyone on.”
Robbinsville was an absolute machine in the district and sectional tournaments, out-scoring opponents 51-3 and out-hitting them 73-11. It was supposed to get harder in the states, and Robbinsville won the title game, 14-1, over Pequannock for its second straight state title.
It has mostly been done with a new cast of characters.
“We had a lot of younger players on the team with a lot of 11-year olds, and we have a girl that just moved into town that hasn’t played districts,” Manto said prior to states. “We just wanted to make sure they were able to handle what was thrown at them from the crowd, the expectations.
“We knew we were gonna have to pitch well and play good defense and we’d be in pretty good shape, and I think we’ve done that. We’re doing it in the field and our pitchers have pitched really well.”
Rounding out the position players are Shea Walsh, Olivia Moser, Grace Maslak, Amanda Allen, Sara Mazalewski, Ashley Veisz, Evan Dominguez, Cameron Bruker and Emily Rubino.
“Everyone has been really good this year, but girls like Emily Rubino and Eva Dominguez have really stood out as far as what the team is about,” Anthony Manto said. “Their role isn’t as great as some of the other girls, but they have done a really nice job whenever I’ve asked them to do something for me, whether it’s pinch hit or come into the game defensively when needed. They have been a pleasant surprise.”
The No. 1 pitcher is McKenzie Medders, who allowed seven hits and one walk while striking out 31 in 21 innings. Alexa Petito threw 13 innings, allowing four hits and striking out 22. Medders was hitting .476 and Petito .550 through sectionals.
But Anthony Manto says it’s not as easy as it looks.
“It’s not like we’ve been blowing away every kid every inning,” he said. “We’ve had some stressful innings with runners on base and big moments in games early on. The kids play a lot of softball, and they’re really prepared. We’ve put them through some pretty tough practices, and we make sure they’re ready for all the situations that may come up.”
It’s part of what Robbinsville softball is all about. Ever since Lauren Fischer, Becca Freeman and company went to the World Series final five years ago, the town has been a softball hotbed and Chelsea Manto has been an integral ingredient. Her sister, now a member of the Robbinsville High’s varsity softball team, also went to a World Series.
“I feel very proud to be part of all of these different teams over the years,” Chelsea said. “I have many great memories that I will never forget. I am fired up and very excited as we try to keep this streak going that we have.”
The group that started it all just won its second NJSIAA state championship this year, as Fischer, and Freeman reached the finals for the third straight year, winning twice.
“Our players realize that not only is Robbinsville Little League very prominent, but that Robbinsville High school is,” Anthony Manto said. “Obviously my older daughter is on the high school team so they recognize that and go to games.
“To be honest, the high school kids will come down for practices, and they’ll help out a little bit, talk to the girls. Some of the girls, like Lauren Fischer and my daughter worked with girls in the cages. That’s really been a benefit to our program, and I think when those kids get a chance to talk to a person like Lauren Fischer it’s good for the whole program. It makes the kids want to be part of that and uphold the kind of standard she has set for them.”
The older players have certainly rubbed off on Chelsea Manto.
“I remember watching the first Robbinsville all-star team go to the World Series, and we watched it on ESPN,” she said. “Then I got to watch my sister play in the World Series two years later. Now, I watch the girls play in high school.
“This has shown me all the great things that softball brings, and I want to have these experiences with my team. The older girls have come to our games and practices to help us and always encourage us to do our best. They have been great role models.”
And this current 12-year-old team is certainly maintaining the role of winners.
All they do is win championships.
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