The Lamar Babe Ruth 12 & Under Softball League concluded the season with their league tournament held on June 24-26.
The championship game of the tournament featured a showdown between Colorado East Bank and Trust and Herbalife.
Both teams had split games during the regular season of league play and finished with identical records.
Colorado East Bank and Trust had won the first meeting between the two teams by the score of 7-2.
In the second meeting, Herbalife edged Colorado East Bank and Trust, 12-11.
By virtue of a tiebreaker, Colorado East Bank and Trust went into the tournament as the top seed and Herbalife was the No. 2 seed.
The rubber match between the two teams drew a large crowd. In fact, a fan noted that he hadn’t seen that many people out to watch a game at this level.
Colorado East Bank and Trust appeared to be on the verge of victory as they held a 5-0 lead through five innings.
But going into the top of the sixth, the roof caved in for Colorado East Bank and Trust.
Herbalife mounted an incredible rally and exploded for nine runs in its last at bat to post a dramatic 9-5 come-from-behind victory to secure the title.
Herbalife co-coach John Navarrette had nothing but praise for his young players.
“Before the game, I told my girls they had to play with a certain level of emotion and have fun,” he said. “They played to their potential and never gave up.”
Colorado East Bank and Trust had a runner at third base in the bottom of the fifth. If that player would have scored that would have ended the game.
“If they score the game would have been over due to the run rule,” he said. “I called time out and huddled my players together with one out. I told them, we can’t let the runner at third base to score. We got a ground out and a strike out to retire the side.”
“In the top of the sixth, we came out and scored nine runs and then held them in the bottom of the inning,” Navarrette said. “That was a lot of pressure but they believed they were in the game regardless of what the score was. Each one of them wanted to bat especially Allysa (Abitia) and Macy (Rowan).”
“I’ve never seen a comeback like that at this level,” added Navarrette. “And I’ve never seen the amount of support for both sides. The stands were full and there were people in lawn chairs all around the fence. It was just amazing.”
“Colorado East Bank Trust had a good team and they are fierce competitors and they play hard,” Navarrette said.
Allysa Abitia was the winning pitcher and Macy Rown was the catcher for Herbalife.
Other team members included the infield of Jayda Hernandez at first base; Alyisha Martinez at shortstop; and Damonyca Segura at third base.
In the outfield, Sandra Lopez played in left field; Kionna Martinez played in centerfield; and Nashalya Groomer in right field. Also in the outfield were Delorin Bellomy and Shelby Casebolt.
Assisting Navarrette with coaching duties was Jay Rowan.
In closing, Navarrette said, “It was just a great season and I’m so proud of these girls. They matured as softball players individually and as a team. We peaked at the right time and I’ll never forget this game.”
