Sandia the World-Class Softball Pitcher
Here are some photos taken at the 8 year-old World Series in July, 2001. Sandia is the pitcher for the Diamonds from Fayetteville who represented Arkansas. Below, she describes a dramatic moment in one of her games...
My best game was the second game we played in the USSSA World Series. Our team, and town, hosted the tournament, which was a lot of fun. Teams came from all over the country to compete for the title. Even though my team, the Diamonds, lost the game we still felt like winners. Here's the story.
We were playing Thunder, the fifth best (or so they say) team in the tournament. At the beginning of the game we came out strong and took an early lead. Thunder would not be silent. By the top of the third the score was 3-5, we were down by 2, there were no outs, no one was on, and Katie, our first baseman was up to bat. She struck out. Camie, our shortstop, batted next and she hit a single. Now I was up to bat (as you see in the picture)... I hit the ball to left center and the fielder stumbled and missed the ball. That sent me goin' down to third while Camie swept home.
Next up was Emily. She hit a soft pop to the pitcher and she let it drop, then picked it up and threw it to the catcher while I slid home just under the tag. The score was tied and that's where I wish the story ended. We lost the game in the last inning and the Diamonds ended up finishing fifteenth in the world. Mom says that's still not bad for our first time out! I agree! Watch out next year!