Softball Team Has Solid Showing In Alabama
An incredible run came to an end for the Rockbridge Area Recreation Organization 8-and-under girls softball All-Stars on Friday in the Babe Ruth World Series in Florence, Ala.
The All-Stars, the first-ever team to represent RARO at the state tournament and the World Series, were runners-up at the state tournament, which took place the last week of June in Glen Allen. In the World Series, they made it to double-elimination bracket play before falling twice on Thursday. They suffered a 15-5 setback to New Site and then a 12-0 loss to the No. 1 seed, Fern Creek, a Louisville, Ky. team that would go on to win the World Series. The All-Stars had one more game after tournament play, a 9-4 loss to Florence on Friday.
Prior to bracket play, the All-Stars played six games and went 2-4. In their first game, which took place on Sunday, July 26, the All-Stars fell 8-4 to Millry. Later that day, they earned a 6-5 comeback win over Puerto Rico, scoring three runs in the top of the sixth inning to secure the victory. The All-Stars racked up 17 hits in the game.
The next day, the All-Stars outhit Florence 12-6 but came up short 6-4. The All-Stars led 4-3 in the fourth, but Florence answered with three runs in the fifth. Later that day, the All-Stars bounced back with a 12-10 win over Greater Manassas. The RARO squad, which had 18 hits in the game, came out swinging, scoring five runs in the first inning and five more in the second. Greater Manassas battled back, but the All-Stars stayed composed and held on for the win.
On Tuesday of last week, the All-Stars suffered a 17-7 loss to Lutz Bullz, which racked up 16 hits. Last Wednesday, the All-Stars fell 6-2 to New Site, despite each team recording nine hits.
Leading the All-Stars were head coach Chase Perry and assistant coaches Josh Kulp and Whitney-Lewis White.
After the team arrived back in Rockbridge County last weekend, Perry reflected on the experience. “I couldn’t be more proud of these 13 girls,” he said. Perry said all of his players are “incredible young ladies, and I was lucky to spend a summer with them.”
“Babe Ruth World Series Softball put on an incredible event that provided lifelong memories for these kids and their families,” added Perry. “The support we received from our entire community was incredible. There are more individuals and businesses that stepped up to help get us to Alabama than I can thank. To do so, without missing someone, would be impossible.”
After qualifying for the World Series, the All-Stars launched a GoFundme campaign to cover travel, lodging and meal expenses for the trip, and many local individuals and businesses contributed. In the first few weeks of July, the players gathered in various locations, including the Walmart and Tractor Supply parking lots, to raise funds.
Perry praised RARO, especially program coordinator Rebecca Stratton, for “making this happen in less than three weeks.”
In addition, Perry credited his assistant coaches, who “helped keep me sane during this entire process and handled most of the heavy lifting with coaching and I couldn’t have asked for better people to be with in the dugout.”
Looking ahead, Perry sees his team’s journey as one that will motivate future RARO teams to have similar success.
“I really believe this is just the beginning for RARO softball on this stage and fully expect a team or teams to build on this and bring championship banners back to our community in the near future,” said Perry.
For more highlights and photos from the All-Stars’ journey, visit the RARO Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rarorec.
