BVGASA 10U Golds going to NATIONALS !!

It was a great weekend for ASA fastpitch in Lancaster, Ca. Over 100 teams showed up to the "B" States Southern California Tournament for a shot at the State title and hopes for a berth to the 2011 Nationals in Fresno, Ca. The 10UG division was a tough group of 32 teams with rosters deep in talent. Bonita Valley had just come off A District Championship a couple weeks ago so had high expectations for the State Tournament. BV had a great draw and only needed to win the first 2 games played to get a berth to Nationals but ended up losing their first game on perhaps what was called a controversial play. It was a 1-1 game as both teams were grinding to get that second run knowing that might be enough to get the win when the obstruction call was made by the umpire. The obstruction call at 3rd awarded the runner home. Everyone watching that game saw that there was absolutely no play at 3rd base and the fielder simply bumped into the runner covering her bag. That blown call which allowed the run to advance made the score 2-1 at that point, it was all she wrote. Of course you can't sit here and say that the bad call was the game decider because of other factors on the field but it definitely changed the dynamics of that game and ultimately the way BV now had to play...

Many teams would look at losing the first game at a State Tournament as a sign that it wasn't meant to be but not the Bonita Valley girls. There was no doubt that these girls would refocus and get it done. Facing elimination after Friday's game, BV needed to win 3 in a row to get a berth to Nationals.
I compare it to the starting gates in a race with all engines roaring and ready to go! They came out of the gates @ 9:45am Saturday beating Camarillo 11-3, beating Rancho Trabuco 5-3, beating La Mirada 7-1 and finally with a 9:00pm game time, beating Downey 6-2. Bonita Valley sent 3 of those teams home with no Berths to Nationals!

I have to say, comebacks in the final innings never get old and have been a staple for this Bonita Valley team. Playing Rancho Trabuco in that second game Saturday down 3-0 and winning the game in the last inning? Again? Not only did BV win the game 5-3 but added salt to the wound by doing it all with 2 OUTS! Never say die with these girls...Say 2 out nightmare. Bonita Valley had faced Rancho Trabuco in a prior tourney and had the same result so I know they had dreams of the RED, WHITE & BLUE!

Winning 4 games in a row after losing game 1 and facing elimination was not only a great accomplishment but a statement for these girls.
Dealing with the 95 degree weather and heavy hearts with one of their own teammates in the hospital perhaps found a little inspiration from #6.
These girls have no fear, no doubt and it definitely shows the drive they have to be winners on and off the field.
It's also a compliment when surrounding teams come to watch BV play and show interest in this team many are getting to know very well in SoCal!

Next stop for these girls are Nationals in 3 weeks so you better believe that these girls will be prepared to face the best teams in the entire Nation!

Good Luck Bonita Valley ASA! -SoCalSports619

States to begin tomorrow!

Here we are in the desert in brisk 96 degree weather waiting with anticipation to start our State Tournament tomorrow. The girls are ready for this tournament and have shown time after time that they can answer the challenge when their backs are to the wall. Our pitching seems to be healthy after a scare with our PLAYA Syd thinking she may have suffered a fracture now downgraded to a contusion...Defense is solid and hitting has never been an issue with the BV girls but at times have found themselves flat an inning here and there but never do they give up nor do the parents!
They win as a team and lose as a team and have no ego's but are a bunch of humble girls that just enjoy playing the game of softball.
Its been such an awesome experience these last 7 weeks with this Bonita Valley team that you almost don't want it to end but know that it has to so why not with a trip to Nationals!
BV will face good teams this weekend at States as SoCal has the best teams perhaps in the entire Nation but I believe these girls will go deep here in Lancaster because of their drive, ability and leadership...

Good luck this weekend Girls and let's get to the Big show for our fallen but recovering teammate Selena!
Our prayers are with her and her family...

First game @12pm tomorrow vs Corona...Let's go BV!
-SoCalSports619

Southern San Diego District Champs!

As we head into the final weekend Tourney before States, we are still reflecting on last weekend and how the BV girls really made a mark on the ASA circuit. When people talk about the BVGASA 10U gold team they don’t realize how much confidence these girls really have in themselves as we all saw once again at the District tournament in Santee. Beating tough teams is something the girls from BV do but add a little late game heroics and you have the making of some unbelievable finishes! Playing Santee which was perhaps an even match for BV that Sunday, came out to play and didn’t look like they were intimidated at all!  In fact, the game was pretty one sided until it happened. Yes, another last minute run that put a stamp on this team’s presence!  

Bonita Valley manages to get  bases loaded with 2 outs in the last inning of the championship game when #52 steps up to the plate. This girl has seen more intentional walks than Albert Pujols lately.

She is up with bases loaded with the score at 5-3 Santee and 2 outs when for no reason the pitcher decided to throw her a ball in her comfort zone with a 3-1 count.. Really?  Well,  Miss Madie did what any power hitter would do in that situation and that was to wallop the ball over the center fielder to clear the bases... Guess what? Another walk off for Bonita Valley.   

I have to tell you the elation we all had when we realized that ball was going over the fielders head was something of amazement and relief!  From the look on the proud parents to the reaction of the girls and coaches was something that will be implanted in my brain for a long time to come…BV girls have the never say die attitude and you need that when playing this game. I just don’t know if the Parents can handle too much more of these games with an up and down emotional ride! I tell you what, with those kinds of finishes, it’s all worth it!

Great job ladies and let’s go get them at STATES next weekend! ..SoCalSports619