IYAA baseball/softball and T-Ball teams end seasons; tourney time

Barry Byers Posted June 14, 2010 3:25am IYAA Baseball/Softball

Image: Talking it over — Coach Jason Escamilla convenes with his 12u boys team in Whitney. (L-R): Catcher Tyler Fedrick, Kyle Fortenberry, Daren Cisneros, John Escamilla, head coach Jason Escamilla and first baseman Cody Boyd — Talking it over — Coach Jason Escamilla convenes with his 12u boys team in Whitney. (L-R): Catcher Tyler Fedrick, Kyle Fortenberry, Daren Cisneros, John Escamilla, head coach Jason Escamilla and first baseman Cody Boyd (Barry Byers)

The IYAA baseball/softball and T-Ball teams complete their regular seasons and step into the post season. Several IYAA teams finished in first place during the regular season securing automatic trips to the district tournament in early July.

Coach Robin Wafer’s IYAA Pink Panthers (10u coach pitch girls) team posted a 4-0-1 division record to claim first place at the end of the regular season. In the division tournament, the Pink Panthers took first place after passing Hillsboro during their last at bat.

Pitcher Brycelen Richards, catcher Taylor Boyd, fielders Grace Haight, Carlee Wafer, Haley Jones, Maegan Connor, Sabrina Hernandez, Abby Gage, Eva Ledesma, Taylor Boyd, Raegan Jones, Christy Murray, Kirby Nelson, Vanessa Hernandez and Cassidy Gage, who made a great grab at second base throwing to first for the out, were all a big part of the team’s success.

Charles Hyles and his IYAA T-Ball boys team posted a 4-1-1 division record to finish the regular season in second place. Italy then rallied after a game one loss to win two straight, with help from a Julius Williams grand slam, and made it into the division tournament championship game. Despite outstanding work from Italy’s fielders on defense, including Chase Hyles, Ty Cash, Rush Trees, Omar Estrada, Jake Hamby and Clayton Hellner, Hillsboro held on for the first place spot with Italy taking second.

The IYAA Gladdogs (14u boys) team, head coached by Gary Wood, completed three straight wins in Whitney to secure first place in their division with one game still remaining. After winning the first game 11-7 and then the second 8-0, The Gladdogs recorded 6-homeruns (Eric Evans=2, Justin Wood=2, [name withheld]=1, Jacobe Essary=1) and 14 strikeouts to defeat Whitney Black in game three, 14-2.

The Gladdogs kept their momentum going at home with a 6-2 win over Itasca to post a 7-1-1 division record and receive a bye in the first round of the division tournament and a guaranteed spot in the district tournament.

The IYAA 15u girls softball team survived some late season dramatics to win first place in their division with a 9-0-1 record. Pitcher Jaclynn Lewis, catcher Mary Tate, first baseman Sa’Kendra Norwood and third baseman Madison Washington will help lead coach Doug Nelson’s team during the upcoming tournaments.

The Pink Panthers (8u girls coach pitch) softball team, coached by Lisa Mott, finished in first place with a division record of 6-0-1 to cap-off an amazing regular season. Hannah Haight, Lacey Mott, Courtney Riddle, Kembria Brooks, Sydney Lowenthal, Kimberly Hooker, Madison Galvan and Karley Nelson will try to help their team keep the momentum going throughout tournament play.

Stephen Mott’s 10u boys team finished first in their division with a record of 7-0-0. Congratulations to Mickey South who earned a game ball recently after taking the pitch during one of his at bats. Tylan Wallace, Trevor Mott, Garrett Cash, Garrett Janek, Tanner Davis, Gary Escamilla, Alex Garcia, Clay Riddle, Cade Roberts and Al Waits will help their teammates make a statement in tournament play.

Coach Tessa South and her IYAA girls T-Ball team posted a 1-5 division record to finish in fourth place. A young group this season, Italy will be a team to reckon with over the next few years.

Stephen Janek’s (Boys machine pitch) posted a division record of 3-7-0 to earn fourth place. The team won one game and lost one game in the division tournament thus far. Rance Beets, Zorian Burley, Anthony Chambers, Tanner Chambers, Bryce DeBorde, Deacon Dorety, Rocklin Ginnett, Grant Hamby, Dakota Hudson, Creighton Hyles, Reese Janek, Cornelius Jones, Bryson May and Gage Wafer are expected to come out swinging on Monday.

Michael Chambers and his (12u girls) softball team posted a respectable 6-3-0 division record to finish in third place in an extremely tough division. Expect Brooke DeBorde, Elizabeth Garcia, Oleshia Anderson, Raven Harper, Ashlyn Jacinto, Amber Hooker, Hailey Turner, Jozie Perkins, Cassidy Childers, Brit Chambers, Hannah Washington, DeCorea Green, Janae Robertson and Lillie Perry to up their game in tournament play.

Coach Ken Norwood and his (12u boys) team posted a 6-0-0 division record to finish the regular season in first place. Packed with talent, Norwood’s team will be a real threat in tournament play.

Coach Jason Escamilla and his (12u boys) team posted a 2-4-0 division record to finish in fourth place but anything could happen in the division tournament.

List of IYAA coaches and their divisions:

Charles Hyles – Boy’s T-Ball
Stephen Janek – Boy’s Machine Pitch
Lisa Mott – Girl’s Coach Pitch
Stephen Mott – Boy’s 10u
Jason Escamilla – Boy’s 12u
Gary Wood – Boy’s 14u
Michael Chambers – Girl’s 12u
Tessa South – Girl’s T-Ball
Robin Wafer – Girl’s 10u
Doug Nelson – Girl’s 15u
Ken Norwood – Boy’s 12u

This weeks rosters in the spotlight:

Boys 12u baseball:
Coaches: Jason Escamilla, Randy Boyd

Lane Harris
Adrian Acevedo
David De La Hoya
Jorge Galvan
Tyler Fedrick
Cole Falzerano
Thomas Crowell
Michael Hughes
Daren Cisneros
Joseph Celis
Kevin Johnson
Kyle Fortenberry
John Escamilla
Cody Boyd

Boys 12u baseball:
Coaches: Ken Norwood, Scott Connor

Kendrick Norwood
Nick Ledesma
Elliott Worsham
Cameron Carter
Brandon Connor
Aaron Pittmon
Austin Pittmon
Ryan Conner
Ty Windham
Xavier Ledesma
Levi McBride
Cody Nelson
Kenneth Norwood

Boys 14u baseball – Meet the Gladdogs:
Sponsor: L B Foster
Head Coach: Gary Wood
Assistant: Ty Evans
Assistant: Lewis Essary
Assistant: Barry Byers

Tyler Crawley
Tyler Vencill
Treyvon Robertson
Lance McClendon
Eric Evans
John Byers
Zain Byers
Bryan Fedrick
Kevin Roldan
Bailey Walton
Justin Wood
Eric Carson
Jacobe Essary

Congratulations to all the IYAA teams this season for competing so hard and good luck in the tournaments! Be sure to try the new cheeseburger basket with delicious seasoned fries at the IYAA concession stand.

Special thanks to Ken and Sandra Norwood for all their hard work in the concession stand, on the grill and on the fields. The IYAA cannot thank you enough. Also thanks to Mayor Frank Jackson, the City of Italy and its crews for the maintenance work done on the fields and all the parents that kept the game books. Also, we appreciate our coaches, players and parents who have helped prep the fields for the games and the clean up afterwards. These are our fields and we need to continue taking pride in them.

View league game schedules, standings and tournament brackets at Hillsborosportsassociation.org

IYAA Sports, “The winning tradition starts here.”

Oh, Boyd! — Cody Boyd takes the mound against Alvarado as his mother, Becky Boyd, nervously watched. “It was my first time to pitch this season but at least I got them over the plate,” Cody explained. (Barry Byers)

“Everybody in!” — Coach Charles Hyles tries to motivate his IYAA T-Ball boys team before the division tournament championship game against Hillsboro. (Barry Byers)

Brodie’s in the box — IYAA T-Baller Brodie Hugghins prepares to knock the cover off the ball. (Barry Byers)

T-Ball is fun — This IYAA T-baller plays in the mud before heading into the outfield. (Barry Byers)

What a throw! — Tylan Wallace throws into Chase Hyles to stop the play. (Barry Byers)

Nice hustle — Italy storms the tee ready to cover the ball if it crosses the line. (Barry Byers)

Making the play — Jake Hamby looks on as Chase Hyles throws to first base to help earn a win that put the IYAA T-Ball boys team into the division tournament championship game. (Barry Byers)

The look of a winner — The IYAA T-ball team was ready for action during the division tournament. (Barry Byers)

Tough duo — Taylor Boyd straps on the catching equipment against Hillsboro as Brycelen Richards prepares to take the mound and with Kirby Nelson heading into the outfield. (Barry Byers)

Here comes the pitch — Brycelen Richards fires in a pitch to catcher Taylor Boyd with Cassidy Gage ready at second base and Elizabeth Garcia is all set in centerfield. (Barry Byers)

Carson working hard — A multitalented Eric Carson has played shortstop, pitcher and catcher for the IYAA Gladdogs 14u boys baseball team. (Barry Byers)

Wood plays the bunt — Pitcher Justin Wood covers a bunt against Whitney Black. (Barry Byers)

Having fun — Gladdog coach Lewis Essary keeps the team loose during a game against Whitney. (Barry Byers)

Rock-n-Roldan — Kevin Roldan starts off on the mound for the Gladdogs against Whitney with Eric Evans on third base. (Barry Byers)

Lance McClendon is on deck and Tyler Vencill at bat. (Barry Byers)

Evans gets ready — Gladdog ace Eric Evans gets warmed up before pitching against Whitney as Tyler Crawley gets ready in right field. (Barry Byers)

“Let’s do this.” — John Byers and coach Lewis Essary pump each other up before the game. (Barry Byers)

No problem — A speedy Eric Carson steals second base against Whitney. (Barry Byers)

A job to do — Tyler Fedrick pitches in as bat boy during the game between the Gladdogs and Whitney. (Barry Byers)

That’s two — Eric Evans crosses home plate after banging in his second home run of the game. (Barry Byers)

Believe it! — Justin Wood follows up Eric Evans in the lineup as both players managed to hit back-to-back homeruns, on back-to-back trips to the plate. (Barry Byers)

Justin slides home — Justin Wood slides home to register his second homerun in a row against Whitney as John Byers(8) looks on from the batter’s circle. (Barry Byers)

The Champs! — Coaches Ty Evans, Lewis Essary and Barry Byers celebrate with their Gladdogs (14u boys) team after securing 1st place with a 6-homerun, 14-strikeout performance to win 14-2 over Whitney. (Barry Byers)