On June 26, at Veterans Freedom Park, the Grand Terrace Major All-Star softball team won the California District 21 Championship. Additionally, the Grand Terrace 8-10 Year old All-Star softball team also won the California District 1 Championship for their division.
“They’re not just participating; they’re flourishing they’re doing great. I’m just proud of all the girls and what they’re doing, I can’t wait to see where they go,” Grand Terrace Little League President Micheal Orem said.
According to the Grand Terrace Little League Group on Facebook, the major All-Star softball team had a game one 17-5 victory over Bloomington on Friday, June 25. The 8-10 minor All-Star team also got off to a great start with a 34-4 game one win over Bloomington.
The following day on Saturday, June 26, the two softball divisions squared off in their championship games. Both divisions faced off against Bloomington in game two. The major All-Star team came away with the commanding 11-1 victory to earn their way to the next round of the All-Star Tournament. The minor All-Star team also controlled the field with a 16-4 championship victory also earning their place into the next round of the All-Star tournament.
The Grand Terrace Little League Major and Minor All-Star softball teams have truly come a long way and battled against anything thrown their way, including a pandemic.
“It’s been a difficult year for everyone and it’s good that everyone’s coming together and able to show off their talents,” Orem said. “To be honest, a lot of kids didn’t get to play sport over the course of last year due to COVID, so it’s good to see all the kids back out there and playing.”
Minor All-Star player Victoria Villafuerte expressed the feeling of sadness having to wait to play while living through pandemic.
“It was very sad since we did not get to play or see each other,” Villafuerte said. “I missed playing outside and when we finally were able to see each other, it was an amazing feeling.”
The winning All-Star teams who achieved this extraordinary accomplishment are composed of the following players and coaches:
2021 Grand Terrace Little League Major All-Stars:
- Mailo
- Bavadi
- Calhoun
- Orem
- Guzman
- Sandoval
- Padilla
- Cabrera
- Mendoza
- Barker
- Abasolo
- Guevara
- Navarro
- Coach: Orem
- Coach: Guevara
- Coach: Navaro
2021 Grand Terrace Little League 8-10 Softball All-Stars:
- Ulibarri
- Gonzalez Rivera
- Macias
- Canela
- Romero
- Sandoval
- Navarro
- Villafuerte
- Villanueva
- Valencia
- Bauchman
- Miranda
- Abasolo
- Coach: K. Ulibarri
- Coach: C. Ulibarri
- Coach: Mendoza
Throughout the entire tournament, the Grand Terrace Little League Group and its participants on Facebook have cheered on and shown their support for their home-town teams. Julia Cook Firnkoess, Grand Terrace Troop 76 leader, and several parents and coaches posted celebratory photos and wrote their congratulations to the teams. Laura and Edgar of V&V Insurance Services in Grand Terrace are one of the major sponsors of the tournament, providing all of the banners for the teams.
“It felt exciting to win the championship game. It was cool that we got a banner and pins,” minor All-Star player Darla Sandoval said.
According to the team’s game stats, the Major All-Star team came away the championship win thanks to six runs scored in the fourth inning. Grand Terrace Major All-Stars got things moving in the first inning, when Natalia singled on the first pitch at bat, scoring two runs.
The big 4th inning was thanks to singles by Amy M. and Natalia C., a groundout by Payton O., and a double by Leah N. The starting pitcher for Grand Terrace lasted four innings and allowed just one hit and one run while striking out five and walking one.
“It felt good that we were able to beat Bloomington,” major All-Star player Deanna Sandoval said. “The game was exciting because we made a lot of good plays. Even when we made errors we were able to come back and make up for them.”
“I had a lot of fun and I am proud of my teammates for working hard to get the win,” majors All-Star player Payton Orem said.
Congratulations to both Grand Terrace Little League major and minor All-Star teams for becoming the California District 21 Champions!
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