The San Marino 9-10 Softball All-Stars completed a magical run and finished 2nd in all of Southern California Little League.
The local girls represented San Marino and all of District 17 – including Pasadena Southwest Little League and Pasadena American Little League – in winning the Section 2 Championship in Canyon Country on July 8th.
The girls then played six games in eight days amid sweltering heat in Desert Hot Springs. During that span, San Marino defeated four of their opponents by the mercy rule, but ultimately fell short on July 19, losing to a team from Colton that plays together year round.
Manager Amy Garrity and her coaches Mike ‘Jiggs’ Sigler and Jesse David took a group of talented players, instilled confidence in them and molded them into champions.
Elyse Chan was a force on the mound handling the majority of the innings, but got great support from other pitchers Erin Hill, Sarah Chin and Elise Sigler.
Solid and consistent defense by Megan Gautereaux and Elizabeth Bercaw was supplemented along the way by fielding gems from Kira Glasse and Sophie David in the outfield, Katy Bell at first base and the diminutive Meghan Garrity at second base.
The entire team hit well, but Sarah Chin, Katy Bell, Erin ‘Walkoff’ Hill, Elyse Chan, Bridget Byrne, Kate Brunner and Leela Anvekar produced big hit after big hit in leading the team to huge victories.
The team made San Marino and District 17 proud and served notice that Little League Softball is alive and well in the San Gabriel Valley.
9-10 SOFTBALL ALL-STARS
DIVISION III STATE
TOURNAMENT
Saturday July 19
Colton 14, San Marino 2
The All-Stars unforgettable season ended with a dazzling second place finish in the State Championship. Thank you to all of the friends, family and fans who have cheered them on during their amazing postseason run!
Friday July 18
San Marino 11, South Pas 1
San Marino’s 9-10 Softball All-Stars defeated South Pasadena, the Section 3 champion, in an exciting semi-final Southern California tournament game in Desert Hot Springs, meaning the two cities that border one another had to travel one hundred miles into the desert to play one another.
San Marino started strong when Erin Hill crushed a two-run bases-loaded single, scoring Sarah Chin and Katy Bell. An inning later, Elyse Chan smashed an RBI double, scoring Kate Brunner. In the final frame, Sarah Chin smacked a bases loaded 2 run single and Katy Bell followed with a run scoring double to secure the victory.
San Marino’s hitters of the game were Erin Hill with a perfect 3-for-3 evening and Leela Anvekar, who recorded the hit of the night with a towering, third inning triple.
Pitcher Elyse Chan had another terrific outing, limiting South Pasadena to two hits and a run.
Defensively, catcher Bridget Byrne was outstanding as she threw out two runners attempting to steal bases. With the win, San Marino advanced to the Division III championship game against Colton Little League.
Thursday July 17
San Marino 13, Tri-Valley 2
San Marino’s 9-10 Softball All Stars notched their third win in four games in the Southern California Championship tournament, defeating Tri-Valley, the Section 9 champion from Yucca Valley.
San Marino benefited from terrific performances by a host of players. At the top of the list was Elyse Chan who pitched another no-hitter, punctuated by 11 Ks. Elyse also chipped in offensively with a two-run home run to right field to cap the game.
Katy Bell was perfect at the plate with four hits while both Erin Hill and Leela Anvekar contributed three safeties apiece, resulting in 4 RBI.
Kira Glasse, Elizabeth Bercaw, Sophie David and Elise Sigler also contributed run scoring hits as the All Stars earned the right to advance to the semi-finals vs. a familiar foe; South Pasadena.
Monday July 14
San Marino 18, Bellflower 0
The 9-10 All Stars rebounded from a loss on Sunday to mercy Greater Bellflower. Pitchers Elyse Chan, Erin Hill and Elise Sigler combined on a four inning no hitter.
Leela Anvekar led the offense with 4 RBI, but the most excited player of the night was Kate Brunner, who drove a fastball to the center field fence for an inside-the-park home run.
