Eagle Pass Little League Junior Softball All-Stars defeat New Mexico to clinch Regional Championship
The Eagle Pass Little League Junior Softball All-Stars defeated their nemesis New Mexico All-Stars twice by the scores of 10-0 and 6-3 on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at Bicentennial Park in Santa Fe, New Mexico to clinch the 2014 Southwest Little League Junior Softball Championship, earning the right to play in the 2014 Little League Junior Softball World Series in Kirkland, Washington during August 10-16, 2014.
The mighty Eagle Pass All-Stars climbed through the loser’s bracket after falling to New Mexico 18-9 in the opening game of the Southwest Little League Junior Softball Championship tournament to set up a classic rematch against the Las Vegas, New Mexico All-Stars for the 2014 Southwest Little League Junior Softball Championship and the ticket to the 2014 Little League Junior Softball World Series.
GAME ONE: Eagle Pass, TX 10, Las Vegas, NM 0
In game One, the Eagle Pass All-Stars came out with a vengeance and fury against the Las Vegas, New Mexico All-Stars, whom handed Eagle Pass its only loss in the tournament, as C. C. Winn High School standout sophomore right hand pitcher Connie Hernandez hurled a gem of a game allowing only two hits and taking a perfect game into the fourth inning and a no-hitter into the fifth inning. Offensively, Eagle Pass batters had a hit parade against the previously undefeated Las Vegas, New Mexico pitchers as Janessa Garza batted 3 for 4 with one double, 2 RBIs, and scored 2 runs; Lynet Gil went 2 for 4 with 1 double, 1 RBI, and scored 2 runs; Lizann “Heather” Ruiz was 2 for 4 with 1 double, 1 RBI, and scored 1 run; Kayla Ochoa batted 1 for 3 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and scored 1 run; and pitcher Connie Hernandez helped her own cause by hitting 1 for 2 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and scored 1 run. Eagle Pass upset Las Vegas, New Mexico via the 10 run mercy rule after the fifth inning, setting up a one game winner take all Championship game 30 minutes following Game One. Eagle Pass left the host Las Vegas, New Mexico All-Stars dumbfounded after the impressive 10-0 shutout in Game One.
GAME TWO: Eagle Pass, TX 6, Las Vegas, NM 3
With momentum on their side after blanking the potent and previously unbeaten Las Vegas, New Mexico All-Stars, the talented Eagle Pass All-Stars rode their confidence and adrenalin gained in Game One to back-to-back victory against the local favorite Las Vegas, New Mexico team as ace pitcher Connie Hernandez hurled another impressive game going 6 1/3 innings to earn the win and the Championship while battery mate Leenette Krezdorn came in relief in the seventh inning for 2/3 of an inning to save the game and punch their ticket to the 2014 Little League Junior Softball World Series, defeating New Mexico 6-3.
Leading the offensive firepower in Game Two for Eagle Pass was Lizann “Heather” Ruiz who batted 3 for 3 with 2 doubles, 1 triple, and 4 RBIs; Daniela Rodriguez went 1 for 2 with 1 single and scored 1 run; Lynet Gil was 1 for 3 with 1 single and scored 1 run; and Joelynn “JoJo” Gonzalez batted 1 for 1 with 1 single and scored 1 run.
The Eagle Pass All-Stars back-to-back wins clinching the 2014 Southwest Little League Junior Softball Championship left New Mexicans awestruck on the sportsmanship and determination of the Eagle Pass team. Eagle Pass became the first team to win the Southwest Little League Junior Softball Championship coming out of the loser’s bracket.
The long 13 hour drive from Eagle Pass to Santa Fe, New Mexico and the beauty of Santa Fe, New Mexico affected our girl’s performance in the opening game of the tournament, ” said Team Manager Willie Ruiz. “After the opening game loss, the girls had a team meeting and decided to play aggressively and win the Championship and earning a World Series berth in Kirkland, Washington,” said Ruiz. “Coaches Sonny Snyder, Mac De Alba, and I could not be prouder of our Eagle Pass girls for facing adversity and demonstrating extraordinary discipline and determination to play to their highest level of ability to win the Championship,” added Ruiz.
“The Southwest Championship was a total team effort with every player contributing to the team’s success,” said Ruiz. “The girls are thrilled and excited to be going to the Little League Junior Softball World Series in Kirkland, Washington,” said Coach Sonny Snyder. “Our players are looking forward to the international level of competition at the World Series in Washington,” said Coach Mac De Alba.
The Eagle Pass Little League Junior (14 Under) Softball All-Stars will represent Eagle Pass, Texas District 35, Texas West, and Southwest United States at the 2014 Little League Junior Softball World Series. Texas Little League District 35 Administrator Gerald “Gerry” McCrary stated “I am very proud of these young ladies representing Eagle Pass and District 35 so well at the highest level of softball competition in the United States and wish them all the luck at the World Series.”
Eagle Pass will open play at the 2014 Little League Junior Softball World Series on Sunday, August 10th, against the Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico All-Stars representing Latin America followed by a second game on Monday, August 11th against the United States East All-Stars, a third game on Tuesday, August 12th against the United States West All-Stars, and a fourth game on August 12th against the Europe/Africa All-Stars from Milan, Italy in pool play.
Team members include Connie Hernandez, Lizann “Heather” Ruiz, Janessa Garza, Karina Ruiz, Daniela Rodriguez, Isabella Ruiz, Leenette Krezdorn, Lynet Gil, Marichelo Flores, Kayla Ohoa, Emily Snyder, Elena De Alba, and Joelynn “JoJo” Gonzalez.
Team Manager is Willie Ruiz and Assistant Coaches are Sonny Snyder and Mac De Alba.
The Eagle Pass Business Journal congratulates the Eagle Pass Little League Junior Softball All-Stars on winning the 2014 Southwest Little League Junior Softball Championship and wishes them the best of luck at the 2014 Little League Junior Softball World Series. Go Eagle Pass!
