Firecrackers 14U takes tourney
YUMA — The Imperial Valley-based softball team, Firecrackers Gonzalez-Jimenez 14U traveled here to compete in the Fastpitch America Softball Association’s Western Nationals on Saturday and Sunday.
The tournament was held at the Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex and included a variety of teams competing for the 12U and 14U titles.
The Firecrackers, led by coaches Luis Gonzalez and David Jimenez, won the 14U title after going a combined 4-1 in the tourney. The team opened the tourney with a busy Saturday that included playing in three games.
The squad went 2-1 that day, dropping its first contest 11-1 to E1-Ortega, before bouncing back to win its next two games 4-2 and 11-5 over E1-Nunez and E1Vasquez, respectively.
On Sunday, the team picked up two wins with a 7-3 victory in the semifinals and a close 13-10 win in the finals.
The Firecrackers’ Teresa Medina was tapped for the MVP honor after hitting a grand slam on Saturday and another dinger on Sunday.
Elisa Garcia also hit her first home run at the tourney.
“Every girl played an important role this weekend,” explained the coaching staff. “They all played with heart and left it all on the field. Big thank you to Tony Rico and the Firecrackers organization for giving us the opportunity to bring such an organization to the Valley.”