There were many tears shed following Stilly Valley fastpitchs 6-5 loss to San Marino, Calif. on Aug. 4.
Coach Jim Barrio led his team to unprecedented success this year, at all levels of fastpitch including the regional. His team became the first from the area to ever win a state title, and given their performance at the regional it is likely that many of these players will eventually be leaders of their high school teams.
In the moments following the loss to San Marino, plenty of disappointment was shared by the players as they saw their chance of a Little League World Series slip away.
I know it hurts, said Barrio addressing his whole team. But you all stepped up, you all competed your butts off. You still have pride and you still have spirit. I am so proud of all you guys, nobody from Stilly has ever gone this far.
Barrio hit the nail on the head. His girls did nothing to disgrace themselves, if anything they should be considered local heroes. The talent on the team went a long way toward making them successful, but watching the game against San Marino it was apparent something else was also at work. The girls never gave up, despite a series of adversities that would have floored lesser personalities. Their spirit never wavered the entire time, as they fought their way back into the game.
I told them they have nothing to hang their heads about, said Barrio. I wanted them to reflect for a minute on what a special summer its been. Years from now when they pass each other on the street they can always remember the shared experience of this summer.
Unsurprisingly, given the teams attitude, Stilly Valley came back in the third-place consolation game to obliterate Team Montana 11-0 behind the wily pitching of Kristin Backstrom. Backstrom conceded only two hits in the four inning, mercy rule shortened game.
Backstrom is like our Tom Glavine or Greg Maddox, said Barrio. Shes not an overpowering pitcher but shes always hitting the corners with her pitches. Shes got great command.
Arianna Barrio, Kaylee Aune and Alexis Blakey all finished with two hits and two RBI to lead the offense.
Even more exciting than the remarkable season these girls had this year is the prospect that they will all soon compete for local high schools. The influx of young, talented players can be attributed to Barrio and his coaching staff, all of whom have put in countless hours to work on the fundamentals of the game with the girls.
It was apparent to anybody who watched Stilly Valley play this year that the team had been drilled repeatedly in the basic fastpitch principles that lead to success. The work done to make sure proper plays were understood and made must have taken many hours of committed practice. Rarely if ever did Stilly players make the mental errors that spectators saw from opposing teams.
In addition to the strong fundamentals instilled by the coaching staff, the team also had plenty of star power. If the girls stay interested in the game and continue to compete as they mature and grow there is no reason why a large percentage of the team cannot continue on to play college fastpitch. Given that it took the top team from Southern California, population 25 million, to beat Stilly, chances are good that many of these young women will be playing for high level colleges in the future.
Even if they never play another game as long as they live, the girls on the Stilly Dream Team will have a lifetime of memories and friendships to enjoy. It was one remarkable run.