Two Santa Monica All-Star girls softball teams are heading to the USA National Championship after competing in the State Tournament last weekend.
The Santa Monica 14U Gold team won their District championship three weeks ago in Downey and then went on to win the State Championship in Lancaster last weekend. They will next compete in the USA Western National Softball Tournament to be held in Salem, Oregon starting July 29.
“This team has made history as the first Santa Monica Girls Fastpitch team to win the USA/ASA State Championship!” said the 14U Gold team’s head coach Spencer Schneider. “I’m so proud of the tenacity and heart exhibited by the players over the course of several highly competitive games in 100-degree heat in Lancaster.”
In addition, the Santa Monica 12U Gold All-Star team finished third in their District championship and then fought their way through the State tournament in Lancaster, placing high enough to advance to their USA Western National Championship to be held in Camarillo starting July 30. “The collective effort of these girls continues to improve each week,” said the 12U Gold team’s head coach Tony Temblador. “They continue to battle through adversity and obstacles each time they are on the field. Their ability to see ball, catch ball, throw ball, hit ball, allowed them to battle through 108-degree weather last weekend as they qualified for this year’s 12U B Western National Tournament.”
Both Santa Monica teams are looking for sponsors, so if a company or community member would like to donate to help support the teams’ journeys to Nationals, go to the Santa Monica Girls Fastpitch website at www.santamonicagirlssoftball.org.
Submitted by Leanna Einbinder