SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
The Junior LL Softball Regional relocates to Isleta Pueblo. Los Alamos goes undefeated in district and state tournaments to earn the 16-hour ride that starts out Thursday morning via shuttles, vans, etc. etc.
By ARNIE LESHIN, Santa Fe Today
Too bad Louisiana’s perennial state Junior Softball League champions from Vidalia aren’t coming to Los Alamos for the Southwest Regional this time.
But Los Alamos County’s state Senior Softball League champions will be traveling to Vidalia for that SW Regional that starts Saturday morning, and who knows, the teams could meet along the way.
Managed by Robbie Harris, Los Alamos earned its way there by dominating the state finals played at Coronado Park in Bernalillo. All three wins were mercy-rule five innings. It first overwhelmed host Coronado, 28-4, turned back Grants, 13-3, and again topped Coronado, 16-1.
“We’re a good hitting team,” said Harris, “and our pitching has been good. We’re excited about the trip.”
Softball fans from Santa Fe and Los Alamos are familiar with those from Vidalia who made their way here. For five years it represented its state at the Southwest Region played in the City Different, and last year traveled to Los Alamos for the Region championship.
Vidalia, though, will be coming back to the Land of Enchantment as the Region relocated to Isleta, and will begin play this weekend at Indian Spring Park. Pam Stanley, the director of that district, said she’s no doubt excited to be able to host the Region.
“We put our bid in and got it,” she said, “and are ready to host.”
Los Alamos County, which went undefeated in district before winning state, is traveling the way Vidalia does for the 16-hour journey.
“We’re taking vans and shuttles and leaving 7 o’clock Thursday morning,” Harris said. “We’re stopping overnight in Dallas and the girls are overjoyed to be making this trip. We open Saturday morning.”
In state tournament play, his older daughter, Lauren, was one of the top hitters, clouting a grand slam home run in game one. The team also received solid pitching from Savana Luster.
It will be joined by the host team from Louisiana, Texas East and Texas West, Arkansas and Colorado, with the winner moving on to the World Series in Lower Sussex, Delaware.
As for the Region coming to the Governor’s Little League Complex at Isleta Pueblo, it has played host through the years for the District 9 LL softball tournament and several state youth softball tournaments.
Now, Isleta takes a step up, and Stanley is delighted about it.
“When the opportunity came up, we jumped at it,” said Stanley, also the secretary of the state’s district directors. “This is just such a great facility that we’ve returned here year after year for district. We’ve also hosted the state tournament every year.”
But not this time. Now the spotlight focuses on the Region tournament.
Said Stanley: “Isleta, the community, always comes together for us, too. Grandparents, family members, and people who don’t even have kids in the league, all come out to give a hand. We have enormous support from the entire pueblo, and it also does a wonderful job supporting us.”
The Regional tournament will begin with opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. on Friday. The celebration will include a traditional Isleta Pueblo meal provided by volunteers from the pueblo, as well as a dedication from Isleta Pueblo officials.
The double-elimination tournament is scheduled to make its first pitches at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Games will also be played at these times on Sunday and Monday, with a tripleheader on Tuesday. The title contest is slated for Wednesday.
Westgate from District 9, is the host team. From Albuquerque’s southwest quadrants, Westgate was given a first-round bye. Others making up the field will be teams from Texas East and Texas West, Colorado and the New Mexico champion.
But the state representative won’t be known until the Clovis American and Thunderbird little leagues play their deciding game after splitting the previous two.
