Three Tehachapi softball teams make district championship
Three Tehachapi softball teams make district championship
By: Tom Shea
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Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments There are only five different brackets in the District 51 All-Star championships and Tehachapi enjoyed the most success out of any All-Star city in the local area with three championship berths, followed closely by Parkview and Quartz Hill with two championship appearances apiece.
In the seniors division, Tehachapi dropped their first game against Parkview 12-2, but fought back to win two straight games in the consolation bracket to make the final. The seniors defeated El Dorado 5-4 and Quartz Hill 11-8 to set up a final against Parkview, who won the game with a 9-1 count.
In the juniors bracket, Tehachapi thumped California City 24-0, but then suffered a setback against Palmdale 10-0.
In the consolation round, Tehachapi took care of Cal City again with a 28-1 victory, then defeated Rosamond 13-3 to set up a championship meeting with Palmdale, which ended in a 16-4 loss for Tehachapi.
In one of the most thrilling games of the year in All-Star Little League action, the Majors Tehachapi All-Star team faced off against Quartz Hill in the final, losing an offensive slugfest 20-19.
"I was glad to see the way (the team) handled the loss," said Tehachapi Majors manager David Snider. "They were still able to smile and hold their heads up because they knew they had given their best."
In the top of the fourth, Tehachapi scored 14 runs, sending 18 batters to the plate to take a 19-14 lead after being down by nine runs at the end of the third inning. Hits by McKenzie Eberle, Paige Bennett, Jacquie Kunick and Kristin Tapia all led to the big inning. Quartz Hill was able to battle back by scoring five runs in the fifth and sixth innings to tie the score up 19-19. In the bottom of the seventh on a 1-1 count, Quartz Hill's first batter of the inning hit a home run to take the 20-19 win.
"It was the most exciting game I have been involved in this season. It looked like it was going to be a repeat of the previous game (a 22-8 loss) with Tehachapi down 14-5 in the bottom of the third," added Snider. "But the girls came off the field after being scored on eight times that inning and didn’t give up."
Other highlights in the game included strong defensive performances by right fielder McKinna Smith, who threw out a batter at first base from right field for the third out in the bottom of the sixth. Catcher Taylor Cross also threw out a runner stealing from second to third to hold Quartz Hill scoreless in the second inning.
Although Quartz Hill won the district title, Tehachapi did defeat its nemesis during bracket play with a 12-11 win. In that game, Tehachapi took a 9-8 lead by scoring five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Down 11-9 in the bottom of the sixth, Tehachapi was able to come back with Meghan Komin and McKenzie Eberle starting the inning with doubles. Jacquie Kunick also singled, bringing her game count to two doubles and one single in four at-bats. With two outs and Komin and Eberle notching two runs to tie the game at 11-11, AJ Snider was on third after walking to get on base. On a 3-2 count, Taylor Cross hit a hard shot to the shortstop that was bobbled, scoring Snider for the win. Pitcher AJ Snider gave up only four walks while striking out four in the game.
"Even though we lost overall, I still couldn't help but smile at the way it all ended, it was classic," Snider said. "(This tournament) is something that the girls will remember forever."
Information from David Snider contributed to this report.
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