REEDLEY – Two teams of Sierra Mountain Little League’s (SMLL) summer All Stars have hit the road to defend their status with varied results in terms of scores, and tremendous outcome when measured by heart.
SMLL All Stars are made up of baseball players in the areas surrounding Oakhurst. Having excelled season-long, they are chosen by coaches and managers to create a super-team to compete with other All-Stars in the region.
9 and 10-year-old SMLL All Stars finished their season on Sunday, June 30, with a run-by-run game against Sunnyside, according to SMLL Vice President Robin Ward.
“We had them [Sunnyside Allstars] at one point 6 – 4, then tied it up and ultimately lost 9 – 7,” says the proud mama of two boys, including 9-10 All Star Mikey Ward.
“The boys hit well, and Mikey fielded a clean double play by Cyrus Otero and Jack Elrod. There were killer hits by Colton Daly, Nick De La Cruz, Brandon Garrett, Chase Mc Govern, and Mikey Ward, just to name a few. Mikey threw an awesome out to Cyrus at the runner attempting to steal second.”
Ward recounts “great pitching by Cyrus,” and Colton was “cool as ice out there.”
“We are so proud of our mountain boys,” notes the serious softball mom, “and want to shout out to Manager Jason Martina and Coach Bill Ward.
In the end the team lost by two. All in all, says Ward, “excellent teamwork, excellent attitudes.” You can’t ask for more than that.
SMLL All Stars in the 11 and 12 year old bracket won their game with a beyond-solid score of 20 – 2, where the Ward’s older son Chris hit a Grand Slam and Ty Peterson hit a 2 run Homer.
“It was incredible,” says Ward, who teaches at Oakhurst Elementary School. “The 9-10s worked their butts off.”
All Stars dad (aka Oak Creek Intermediate teacher and YHS football Coach) Erik Peterson says the older boys’ All Star game was outstanding. His son Ty was represented well, too.
“SMLL All Stars beat Sanger, scoring 17 runs in the top of the third inning,” Peterson tells SNO.
“We sent 21 batters to the plate in the inning. Everyone hit the ball well today. Ty went 4 for 4.”
SMLL V.P. Ward points out that while the kids are amazing, it can’t be done without the help of family and gives special thanks to Coaches William Neill and Jonas Garner.
“We want to thank the parents for their dedication to Allstars and for tolerating the heat,” which was extreme.
“It takes a lot of time and work on their part to get kids qualified and that can be a grueling process. Just as we tell our athletes to stay in and persist, so did the parents and we appreciate it!”
The SMLL All Stars play for the next possible advancement on Monday evening, July 1, a slightly-cooler 8 p.m. game at Sunnyside.
Stay tuned for results.
