After winning a tournament involving Southern California teams, the Westside Pride took another step in their outstanding season by finishing third in the National Softball Association Western World Series in Carson City, Nevada.
There were 107 teams from California, Oregon, Washington and Nevada. The Pride, a travel team comprised of girls 12 and under in the fastpitch competition, played eight games in five days beginning July 13, winning six.
They were eliminated in the semi-finals, 3-1 by the East Bay Vipers of Pittsburg, California.
The Pride won their first four games, including a 7-0 victory over Carson Valley, Nevada on a no-hitter by Madeline Kaplan of Santa Monica.
In a 12-0 win over Desert Valley, Nevada, Karli Rumburg of Santa Monica pitched the shutout and hit two home runs over the left field fence.
When the elimination round began the Pride defeated Drop Zone from Northern California, 8-6 as Julie Munoz of Santa Monica homered over the left field fence.
The next game was a 7-6 win over Yorba Linda in extra innings. On the final play Kaplan made a throw from the left field wall to third baseman Hillary Edior, who relayed to catcher Frankie Golick of Santa Monica, who made the tag.
Also contributing to the Pride in the tournament were Amber Flores, Jenna Paul, Jessica Deese, Bernadette Moran, Savannah Mercado, Jessica Roberts, ShaVonne Higgins.“It was a long, hard week but our girls came through with spirit and enthusiasm,” said Pride coach Karl Preston. “Practicing hard all year round prepared us for this deep run in the World Series.”
