The Peninsula Youth Softball Association (PYSA) Breakers 12U Gold Girls All-Star Team is on its way to the Amateur Softball Association’s National Championship in Las Cruces, N.M., from July 31 through Aug. 5.
The Breakers qualified for the national tournament after a strong performance in state competition. The Breakers won the first two games 3-1 over the Sierra Madre All-Stars and 7-2 over the PYL All-Stars, but lost to Simi Valley 7-2. The Breakers also lost in extra innings 3-2 to the Bonita Valley All-Stars by international tie-breaking rules.
The girls on the Breakers have played two seasons. The first was the regular club season that is played on recreational teams and now during the current All-Star season.
The Breakers’ players were selected from five Point Loma recreational teams.
The twelve members of the 12U team are: Amanda Cardosa, Raquel Contreras, Natalie Ferriera, Savannah Lamb, Shae Lamb, Katie McEachern, Maddie Martos, Megan O’Beirne, Lindsey McKay, Caitlin Snell, Janessa Virissimo and Olivia Zolezzi.
The Breakers are coached by Brian and Tim Lamb, Chris Cramer and Mike Morgan.
Martos, an outfielder, said she is pumped up for the competition.
“I’m so excited about going to the nationals. I went there last year as a spectator but this year I’m going as a player,” said Martos.
Shae Lamb, who plays second base for the Breakers, echoed Martos’ sentiment.
“We’re motivated to win,” Lamb said.
As for the team’s demeanor going into the nationals, “We’re excited about the opportunity but still confident,” according to Contreras, the left fielder.
The All-Star season began in May when the Breakers finished second in the South San Diego District “B” tournament. They began District play with a 15-7 victory over Imperial Beach, then lost to Scripps Ranch 8-7.
After that, however, the team reeled off victories in its next three games, beating the Santee All-Stars 6-4, the East County All-Stars 9-4 and Scripps Ranch in a re-match 6-3. The team lost the final game of the tournament to the Bonita Valley All-Stars 9-1. Despite the loss to Bonita Valley, however, the Breakers qualified for the state tournament.
The Breakers do not know who they will be playing when they arrive in Las Cruces because there will be a drawing to see which teams play each other. A spaghetti dinner fund-raiser was held on Sunday at Portuguese Hall to help defray travel expenses for the team.
Anyone still wishing to contribute money to offset the Breakers’ trip to the national tournament may mail donations to P.O. Box 70020, San Diego, CA, 92167 or contact Brian Lamb at (619) 226-6342 or (619) 379-2706.
