Marble Falls SWAT swipe national tourney bid
MEDINA VALLEY — The Marble Falls SWAT softball team is the latest of the Marble Falls Youth Baseball and Softball Association to qualify for the South National Tournament.
The team, in the 8-and-under division, finished in the top four at the Medina Valley regional tournament July 8-10.
After becoming the first MFYBSA team in its age group to advance to regionals, SWAT again made history by earning a bid to nationals.
The team began the tournament with a three-game winning streak after beating Westlake Slam 13-8, Manchaca Menace 8-6 and Lake Travis Diamonds 14-9. By then, coaches and players knew they had qualified for nationals at the Old Settler’s Park complex behind Round Rock’s Dell Diamond.
“We felt good going in there,” manager John Hamilton said. “We’d done our job, they just had to do theirs.”
“Our girls were hitting the ball well,” assistant coach Leno Garza said. “We were turning double plays.”
In the win against Slam, T.J. Blum, Lindy Grubbs and Kenley Wendt each hit home runs, while Bailey Hamilton and Wendt both recorded home runs in the victory against the Menace.
Bailey continued the assault against the Diamonds with two, while Grubbs and Emily Norton both hit home runs.
“We were a little concerned about Lake Travis,” Leno Garza said. “In previous years, we played them at home during rec ball. The first time we faced them in fall ball, they beat us at home. We actually ran away with it.”
Manager Hamilton said starting the tournament with wins was key to advancing to nationals.
“You get in that loser’s bracket, you’re going to play extra games,” he said. “You have to battle your way out of that loser’s bracket. You stay in that winner’s bracket as long as you can. You play less. It’s easier on you.”
To finish the second day, SWAT lost 16-11 to Oak Hill Aftershock, which beat the Marble Falls squad in the sectional tournament June 19.
“They were pretty frustrating,” Garza said. “We lost by five runs, three or four were scored in the last inning. The consistency beat us. We overthrew balls and had fielding errors. Their consistency is unbelievable.”
Still, Bailey and Trista Coffey each hit home runs.
SWAT ended the tournament with a 12-7 loss to the Cedar Park Rage on July 10. Trailing 6-0, Adriana Garza hit a 3-run homer that sailed over the first baseman’s head and was a foot inside fair territory. It rolled to the fence, clearing the bases.
Other players had strong hits caught by outfielders, Garza said.
“We’d already accomplished what we were there to do,” he said.
Oak Hill won the tournament and only had to play three games to do it, Garza said.
Other MFYBSA teams that have advanced to the national tournaments include the 2007 mustang division (10-and-under) softball team, the 2008 bronco division (12-and-under) softball team, the 2009 pony division (14-and-under) softball team and the 2010 pony division softball team.
The welcome parade is Tuesday with pool play Wednesday and Thursday and bracket play Friday.
The team, which will participate in the Marble Falls Rodeo Association Parade 10 a.m. Saturday, July 16, on Main Street, will conduct a raffle to help raise money for costs.
SWAT will be at Charlie’s Country Store & Cafe, 1406 South U.S. 281, and Spicewood General Store, 9418 Texas 71, after the parade to sell baked goods and raffle tickets.
Tickets also can be purchased at the Marble Falls Rodeo, two miles south of Marble Falls off U.S. 281, where the team will have a booth. Included in the raffle is a rocking chair, movie tickets, Marble Falls Lakefest tickets and home decor. Tickets are $1 each.