Sunnyvale wins section crown
Metro, National Southern girls come together to win title
By Dick Sparrer
Talk about a team effort!
What the Sunnyvale junior softball all-stars accomplished recently was really a city effort.
Players from the Sunnyvale Metro, National and Southern Little League softball programs combined forces to win the Section 5 championship, beating Gilroy 15-4 and 18-2 at Fair Oaks Park in Sunnyvale to clinch the crown.
Tara Clor blasted a shot to the left field fence for a three-run triple to lead Sunnyvale to the title-clinching 18-2 win over Gilroy.
A two-run single by Erin Sturm started Sunnyvale on the road to the 15-4 win over Gilroy in the first game.
Lindsey Dow was the winning pitcher, going the distance to flip a one-hitter. She struck out nine, including six of the first nine batters.
Members of the sectional championship team included: Denatale, Dow, Glass and Serventi (Metro Hurricanes); Clor, Droze and Sturm (Metro Tornadoes); Austin, Dewey, Allison Maekay and Walter (Southern Diamondbacks); and DeAnda, Diana Lopez and Manzano (National Stingers).
The manager was Chris Dow of the Metro Hurricanes and his coaches were Paul Taylor and Ramsey Clor of the Metro Tornadoes.
Major softball
After winning the District 44 championship in three straight games, the Sunnyvale Metro all-stars lost their sectional opener before fighting back with two straight wins.
Metro lost a 4-3 heartbreaker to Gilroy in the final inning, but battled back to crush San Jose Spartan 24-6 and Dublin 8-5.
Sunnyvale broke open a close game against Dublin with four runs in the fourth innings on the road to an 8-5 victory.
It was 3-2 when Allyson Lang opened the fourth with a triple. She scored to make it 4-2, and Dominique Costello, Audrey Gallien and Kristen Kidwell also scored in the inning as Metro went out to a commanding 7-2 lead.
Metro won its fourth straight district championship with two wins over Sunnyvale National and one over Sunnyvale Southern. Metro outscored its opponents 34-5 in the three games.
Members of the Metro all-star team included Beebe, Costello, DesJardin, Kayla Farrell, Gallien, Kidwell, Lang, Gabby Liu, Martinez, Kellie Wheatley, Kristin Wheatley, Chelsea Whitehead and Tiffany Yang. The team was managed by Bob Lang and his coaches were Chip Wheatley and Albert Martinez.
Members of the Sunnyvale National all-star team included Jennifer Gonzalez, Vanessa Mendiola, Clara Lopez, Teresa Lopez, Arlene Nviedo, Leilani Mapa, Phylicia Levelale, Rochelle Hamilton, Jennifer Le, Sara Nakamoto, Clara Miranda and Amy Wanahiger. The team's manager was Bruce Dale.
Playing for the Sunnyvale Southern all-stars were Lauren Cole, Emily Henderson, Kimberly Henderson, Vanessa McDonald, Quemille Peyton, Emily Pool, Colleen Powers, Mandi Schneider, Jennifer Sparks, Kelly Verstegen, Nicole Wadley, Caitlin Wallin and Jennifer DaSilva. The team's manager was Joan Sparks and her coaches were Mike Powers and Randy Wadley.
9-10 softball
The Sunnyvale Metro girls won the District 44 championship in the 9-10 age group, beating Sunnyvale Southern two straight to clinch the crown.
Members of the championship team included Jill Anderson, Elizia Artis, Monica Boardman, Mikki Burchell, Amanda Dunn, Samantha Jennings, Jackie Oseguera, Sofia Pour, Emily Rubin, Breana Salazar, Julia Sterling and Tanya Wolfram. The club's manager was Bob Burchell and his coaches were Ross Nakamatsu and Rick Anderson.
Playing for the Sunnyvale Southern team that finished second in the district were Olivia Hartoon, Sonya Joseph, Candi Latini, Mary Beth Markart, Brianna Morris, Stephanie Nesbitt, Kathryn O'Brien, Stephanie Parks, Julie Spencer, Kristen Werling, Noelle Wood and Megan Berkley. The team's manager was Jim Markart and his coaches were Don Latini and Ron Hartoon.
Sunnyvale National also sent an all-star team into the district tournament. Members of the squad were Bianca Lopez, Tiffany Quintana, Tabatha Alvarez, Alyssa Abina, Kayla Joos, Stephanie Dobson, Jessica Emerson, Dana Johnson, Genevieve Fernandez, Jessica Aragon, Amy Castro and Lori Anne Aminzano. The team's manager was Sharon Zolezzi and her coach was Debbie Greenberg.
Senior softball
Two Sunnyvale senior softball teams competed in all-star play at the district level.
Members of the Sunnyvale National team included Marcella Lovelace, Melissa Canizales, Grazyl Oliver, Jennifer Oldham, Nicole Mendoza, Cassie Padfield, Teena Joos, Angelina Vargas, Joanna Harris, Angelina Abina, Sophia Perez, Olubukola Akanbi and Nicole Rivas. The manager was Russell Mendoza and his coaches were Dave Harris and Tim Joos.
Members of the Sunnyvale Southern team included Kelly DaSilva, Rachel Faber, Ginger George, Renee George, Kristina Hayes, Katie Henderson, Susie Kinder, Amy Lau, Allison McCann, Sarah Mullen, Candice Stockhaus, Jamie Todd and Andrea Watson. The team's manager was John Van Pelt and Larry Faber was his coach.
Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
