Top Gun 18U team is among the nation's best Charity tournament set for next month BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer EDISON - The Edison Top Gun 18-and-under softball team finished among the top 20 teams at this summer's Pony Nationals Tournament in Vienna, Ohio. The prestigious tournament fielded 64 teams and is regarded as one of the nation's premier college showcase tournaments for high school players. "We go to all the showcase events to help our kids get into the college of their choice," Top Gun head coach Tony Houck said. "Fortunately, all of our seniors were able to accomplish that goal." Top Gun held its own among the country's top teams at the Pony Nationals, playing to several tight finishes. When Houck's team squared off against the eventual second-place finisher from Connecticut, Top Gun played the Eliminators to a 1-1 tie. "I thought our pitching was outstanding for the whole tournament," Houck said. "Megan McInaw from Hillsborough, Jenna Carmon from Hunterdon Central, and Amanda Heyle out of St. Rose in Belmar were all spectacular." Top Gun's pitching staff kept the team close in a 4-3 loss to the fifth-place finisher, the Alley Cats of Pennsylvania, and a 2-1 defeat at the hands of The Slick Chicks of New York. Top Gun defeated Slick Chicks, 4-0, the first time the two teams locked horns in the early stages of the tournament. The stellar defensive play of second baseman Nicole Colineri also helped Top Gun keep its opponents from scoring many runs. "Nicole missed most of the high school season with a broken arm, and it was great to see her come back from the injury and really excel this summer," Houck said. "Shortstop Pam Sellers missed her season at Bishop Ahr with an arm injury as well and came back this summer and played really well." Top Gun missed cracking the top 10 at the Pony Nationals due to an uncharacteristic offensive draught. "Offensively, we didn't all hit together," Houck said. "Katie Yard of Hillsborough probably had the most consistent bat, but overall we were pretty inconsistent as a team." Despite having a rough time at the Pony Nationals, Top Gun center fielder Meghan Everett has enjoyed an outstanding summer and is being actively pursued by Dartmouth College and Cornell University. Everett will embark on her senior season at Hunterdon Central next spring. "Meghan is so fast and can really cover the gaps in the outfield," Houck said. "At the Pennsbury Camp in Yardley, Pennsylvania, this summer, she ran the third fastest time ever recorded. Pennsbury is a huge college showcase and she definitely impressed the scouts with her speed." With their talent and the buzz they create, Houck's players could probably field an entire Division I lineup someday. In addition to Everett, Cornell has expressed interest in McInaw and catcher Erica Gatta. Fellow catcher Angela Sessa of Union Catholic is also turning heads with her play behind the dish. "We have so many talented players and nice kids on the team," Houck said. "It's always a pleasure coaching and spending time with such kids." Top Gun will wrap up the summer with tryouts for next year's teams. Players interested in playing for 23-and-under, 18-and-under, 16-and-under, and 14-and-under teams can contact Houck at t.houck@pony.org or visit the Web site at www.topgunsoftball.org. Tryouts begin Aug. 19. Charity Tournament attracting quite a crowd The Edison Top Gun 18-and-under softball team will hold its annual charity tournament next month to donate funds to the Children's Institute for Cancer and Blood Disorders in New Brunswick and the institute's holiday party in December. "We've been doing this for several years now, and it's a great way to bring some joy to the children at the institute," coach Tony Houck said. "Some of our players attend the holiday party and dress up as elves to distribute gifts. It puts things in proper perspective for our players and their parents." Despite last year's rainout, Top Gun was able to donate $3,000 to the institute. Weather permitting, Houck is aiming to raise between $9,000 and $10,000. This year's tournament is slated for Sept. 15-16 and is being held at a number of fields in Hillsborough Township. "The Township of Hillsborough really came to bat for us," Houck said. "They've provided eight fields and they've offered to help with field maintenance. That's the great thing about this tournament - so many people and companies offer to help out. Everything from trophies and softballs to concessions is being donated, and the umpires usually ump a free game for every paid game in order to send more money to the institute." While the team hoped to hold the tournament in Edison, the availability of softball fields made that wish impossible. "It would have been great to have the tournament at the home of the Edison Angels and play under the lights, but it wasn't possible," Houck said. "If we kept the tournament in Edison, games would have been played all over the place, so we went with Hillsborough. Like I said, Hillsborough couldn't be more accommodating." Each year, Top Gun's tournament seems to get a little bigger and a little better. This year, teams from Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania will descend on Hillsborough Township to help with the cause. The entry fee for each team is $400, with all of it going directly to the Children's Institute for Cancer and Blood Disorders. "The tournament always brings in quality teams such as the Harleyville Thunderbirds from Pennsylvania and the Jersey Outlaws from Deptford," Houck said. "It isn't about the competition, though. It's about having fun and helping out the institute. A lot of times you hear that travel softball is all about the money, but a tournament like this, when everyone comes together for a worthy cause, discredits such statements."