The Team Clinched the Title of West Zone Tournament Champions in a Come-Back Victory Against Azusa
In Covina, CA, the Santa Monica PONY Baseball 16U National Team clinched the title of West Zone Tournament Champions in a come-from-behind victory against Azusa, sending the team to the 2023 International Colt World Series in Marion, IL.
Facing temperatures of 95℉, Santa Monica trailed 2-9 in the bottom of the 7th inning. However, they scored seven runs to tie the game. The pivotal moment arrived with two outs and bases loaded when 16U National catcher, Eli Altimarino, on a 3-2 count, received a walk-off walk to secure the win at 10-9.
The 16U National Team exhibited an unbeaten record throughout the Super Regional Pony Tournament and the West Zone Regional Tournament. As the champions, the Santa Monica National team is now scheduled to travel to Marion, IL on Thursday, July 27, for the World Series opening ceremonies. The tournament activities will culminate with the World Series Championship Game on Tuesday, August 1.
This marks Santa Monica PONY’s debut appearance in the Colt World Series, a significant milestone in their history. The Colt World Series, now in its 69th year, is PONY Baseball’s second-longest running World Series event. It involves a ten-team tournament comprising two, five-team double-elimination brackets.
Alongside six US-based teams, the games will also feature teams from PONY’s four international regions: Asia-Pacific, Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
The team is seeking financial support for travel expenses so players can participate equally in the tournament activities and World Series Championship Game. Donations are being requested at https://smpbsponsorship.org/
Santa Monica PONY Baseball, established in 1952, is an all-volunteer-led non-profit community organization and a member league of PONY Baseball and Softball, an international amateur baseball and girls softball organization. PONY stands for Protect Our Nation’s Youth.
