Eagle Pass Little League Junior Softball All-Stars nudge Colorado at Regionals, advance to Championship

By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The never say die Eagle Pass Little League Junior (14 Under) Softball All-Stars rose through the Loser’s bracket of the 2014 Southwestern Little League Junior Softball Championship Tournament after falling to New Mexico 18-9 in the opening game to nudge the potent Colorado All-Stars 4-1 on Tuesday, August 5, 2014, at Bicentennial Park in Santa Fe, New Mexico earning the right to play in a rematch against their nemesis the New Mexico All-Stars for the Championship on Wednesday, August 6th, at 10 A.M..

“Our girls are now playing up to their potential and have gained confidence having defeated consecutively Texas East, Louisiana, and Colorado in order to play New Mexico in a rematch for the Southwestern Little League Junior Softball Championship on Wednesday, August 6th,” said Team Manager Willie Ruiz. “Our Eagle Pass players are playing together as a team and will do their best to upset New Mexico (Las Vegas, NM) in the Championship, needing to defeat them twice to advance to the Little League Junior Softball World Series in Kirkland, Washington,” added Ruiz. “Our girls are going to take one pitch, inning, and game at a time. The girls’ dreams are to advance to the Little League Junior Softball World Series and represent both Eagle Pass and Texas West to the best of their abilities,” said Ruiz.

Eagle Pass All-Stars’ pitchers Connie Hernandez and Leenette Krezdorn combined to silence the potent batters of the Colorado All-Stars with Hernandez hurling six innings to earn the win and Krezdorn coming in relief in the seventh inning to seal the victory.

With the Colorado pitcher hurling heat at the Eagle Pass All-Stars, shortstop Lizann “Heather” Ruiz caught up with a fast ball with two base runners to smash a three run home run over the left-center field fence to give Eagle Pass a 3-0 lead in the game. Ruiz finished the game batting 2 for 3 with a home run, double, 3 RBIs, and scored 2 runs. Also Janessa Garza went 1 for 3 with a single and 1 RBI for Eagle Pass.

In the top of the seventh inning with Eagle Pass leading 4-1, Colorado’s leadoff batter hit a double with one out against Eagle Pass pitcher Leenette Krezdorn, the second Colorado batter grounded out for the first out advancing the base runner to third, and the third Colorado batter hit a foul ball toward the right field line and Eagle Pass right-fielder Emily Snyder dashed to snatch the foul ball for the second out and alertly threw the ball to third base to double up on the base runner to end the game and punching the ticket to the Championship game.

Team members include Lizann “Heather” Ruiz, Connie Hernandez, Leenette Krezdorn, Karina Ruiz, Daniela Rodriguez, Isabella Ruiz, Marichelo Flores, Lynet Gil, Emily Snyder, Elena De Alba, Kayla Ochoa, Janessa Garza, Kayla Ochoa, and Joelynn “JoJo” Gonzalez.

Team Manager is Willie Ruiz and Assistant Coaches are Sonny Snyder and Mac De Alba. Eagle Pass represents Texas Little League District 35, Texas West-Section 3, and Texas West Little League. Gerald “Gerry” McCrary is the Texas Little League District 35 Administrator.

The Eagle Pass Business Journal congratulates the Eagle Pass Little League Junior Softball All-Stars on their outstanding play at the 2014 Southwestern Little League Junior Softball Championship Tournament and wishes them all the best against New Mexico in the Championship. Go Eagle Pass!