LaGrange 10-and-under All-Stars enjoying first run to softball regional since 2005
Star Wars and Harry Potter sequels dominated the box office. Gas was about $2 per gallon in New York. “We Belong Together” and “Hollaback Girl” were ablaze on the Billboard charts. The LaGrange 10-and-under All-Star softball team was excellent then, too.
Many of us can remember 2005 as if it was yesterday ― some might even feel like it was just yesterday ― but for the members of the current LaGrange squad, it would be several more years before they even were a twinkle in their parents’ eyes.
So, the nervousness now is understandable. A bit of stage fright is almost to be expected when that stage is so unfamiliar.
“But they just fight through it and show their resolve,” said Gia McCartney, the manager. “They’re great kids who are unselfish and determined.”
Talented, too. Because this 10-and-under team won its first state championship in 18 years last week and now is competing in the Little League Softball Eastern Regional tournament in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania.
“It's surreal, and I don’t have the words to fully describe this feeling,” McCartney said of her team getting this far and being among the last 10 in the northeast. “We’ve just played hard and hoped for the best, and we kept winning.”
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LaGrange won again Monday, showing its resilience in a dramatic comeback against Plains (Pennsylvania) in the opener of the weeklong double-elimination regional tournament. They’ll face the Pennsylvania state champion Tuesday afternoon, hoping to eventually reach the final on Saturday.
The team last month defeated Poughkeepsie to win the District 17 title, then topped Northern Columbia for the Section 2 crown, and rebound from a pool-play loss in the state tournament on Long Island to finish with three consecutive shutouts and earn that long-awaited banner.
This all-star team is an affiliate of the LaGrange Youth Baseball Softball League and is comprised of girls from LaGrange, East Fishkill and Beekman.
“A handful of them were teammates before on other teams, but this summer is their first time together as a unit,” McCartney said of the group, which began this journey June 20. Gia McCartney coaches alongside Jimmy DeVico, Chris McCartney and Sheila Darrow. “The kids have developed chemistry and gelled very quickly.”
The team is led by ace Meghan LaRose, a dominant pitcher who also bats in the middle of the order. But this run, of course, has been a collective effort with contributions from everyone, including memorable home runs from Hannah Warner and Aliyah Diaz and solid defense from shortstop Abbie McCartney and second baseman Willow Velilla.
Another mark of this team has been its ability to overcome the nerves and show composure under pressure.
That was evident again Monday night when LaGrange rallied from a two-run deficit against Plains and won, 3-2, on Velilla’s walkoff single to center that scored LaRose in the seventh inning.
Emily Howard drove in Gianna Bliss to get them on the board in the third inning, and Lily Donnelly's RBI groundout scored Warner for the tying run in the fourth. Left-hander Avery Patterson started and allowed an earned run in three innings, then was relieved by LaRose, who pitched four scoreless.
“It's amazing and there has been a lot of excitement in the community,” Gia McCartney said. “They’ve been so supportive, which has made this possible for us. The parents helped raise more than $5,000 and we’ve gotten donations from local businesses, including water, Gatorade, bagels. We’re incredibly grateful for what they’ve done.”
That feeling is probably mutual.
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Softball: LaGrange 10-and-under squad won first state title since 2005
