To get back, the Venom played the Lady Bulldogs from Calexico where YaYa Serrano hit a homerun and Karina Jimenez went  3 for 4 behind the great pitching of Yoshi Delacruz and Jasmine Guilin who shut down the Bulldogs putting the Venom in a position to challenge the All-Stars in the finals.

Under a cloudy grey winter sky, on a determined Sunday, the Venom were NOT to be denied.  

Venom Pitcher Melissa Rodriguez hammered in the strikes all day forcing the issue and backing it up with some big offense hitting a huge home run putting the All-Stars on their heels.  In addition, Venom hitters were aggressive with Danielle Jimenez going 3-3 with 3 doubles, Eva Cota and Gabrielle Jimenez  both going 2 for 3 giving the Venom 6 runs for the game.

All of this led to the bottom of the 6th inning as the All-Stars had the bases loaded, one hit away from victory.  With their top batter, Alexis Coral up at the plate, it was all a forgone conclusion.  One hit and they take the trophy. But the Venom pitcher Melissa Rodriquez battled and through a vicious strike that Alexis Coral hit as a pop fly to the Venom’s 2nd base player where it was easily caught and boom, another championship.

“The All-Stars were tough today but we played them for 6 innings and battled all the way”  said  Assistant Coach Gabe Jimenez from the Venom.  

“One inch away” said Head Coach Annie Cervantes from the All-Stars.  “I am stunned.  We had them where we wanted them.  Alexis Coral was up. She’s our best hitter.  I had all the confidence in the world she could do it.  But the pitcher threw a wobbler and it floated up just over the 2nd base line.  We are disapponted but very happy were were competitive.  It was a great tournament and we congratulate the victors!”

In the 10u division, the Baja All-Stars led by Head Coach Marina Duarte, went undefeated and took the trophy with stellar defense beating the valiant and disciplined Tijuana Otay Mesa Bolitas by a score of 5 to 3.    Led by Pitcher Aileen Gutierrez  who went the full 6 inings to take the trophy, the All-Stars were perfect throughout the tournament winning every game.  

Tijuana was aggressive all the way to the end, doing everything they could to beat the tenacious defense of the All-Stars even trying  to take home plate in the final inning when Andrea Flores from 3rd base fired a frozen rope to catcher Maria Fernanda Martinez who dropped down protected the plate and took on the body slam of the Tijuana base runner holding on the ball for the final out of the heated contest.

“It was an incredible game” said Head Coach Marina.  “We could not ask for a better opponent then Tijuana.  They were competitive all the way and gave us all we could handle.  I am extremely proud of the kids and how they withstood the pressure game of the team from TJ.  What a great day and what a great run!”