Laurel crowned world champions
Laurel Senior League softball teams have always been the bridesmaid, but never the bride - until this year.
The Laurel softball team defeated Latin America 2-0 in the championship game of the Senior League World Series Aug. 13 at the Lower Sussex Little League complex in Roxana. The game was broadcast to the world on ESPNU and is available to watch at ESPN3.com.
"You don't ever imagine this would happen in such a small town like Laurel, but the hard work pays off," said coach Brad Lee. "The girls deserve it."
Laurel has been the District III host team in seven of the eight tournaments held at Lower Sussex, and reached the final one other time in 2009.
Much of the win can be credited to the exceptional pitching of sisters Logan and Regan Green. Logan tossed three perfect innings before handing the ball, and pressure, over to younger sister Regan to finish off the game.
Regan Green allowed four hits over the final four innings, but never allowed a runner past second base. She struck out four batters, including Anabel Sanchez looking for the final out of the game.
"I just couldn't believe it when we won," she said. "I was just really excited because we might not ever have this chance again."
Lee was confident of his team's chances entering the contest. Earlier in the week, District III defeated the Latin American team from Puerto Rico 6-5 with a walk-off double in the seventh inning.
"Pitching usually takes these types of tournaments, and I believe I have the two best pitchers in the tournament," he said. "We used them the same way from districts through today, and I wouldn't have changed a thing."
Laurel scored one run in the bottom of the first inning when Latin America pitcher Michelle Rivera hit Bree Venables with the bases loaded. Then in the sixth inning, Laurel's Alyssa Givens led off the inning with a double and was moved over to third on a Regan Green single before scoring on a wild pitch.
Laurel finished World Series play with a perfect 6-0 record. Logan Green, a member of the team that lost in the championship game two years ago, said this year's team was best she's played for.
"We had a lot of heart and worked together," she said.
Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and handling page layout, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams.
