Homecoming: East's Softball Girls Welcomed Back in Orange

As two black tour vans rolled into the  parking lot in Orange, family and friends waited to welcome District 4's Junior League softball girls -- including each member of catcher / fielder Amanda Leone's family, who all brought personalized signs.

The team -- made up of girls from West Haven and the surrounding area, including four girls from Orange -- left the van to a cheering crowd.

While District 4 didn't make it to the semifinals at the Junior Softball World Series in Kirkland, Washington last weekend, they have nothing to be ashamed of.

"We did well," said manager Jocelyn Chang. "We were nervous going out there. It was the first time a team this age, being the host team, has gone on, so we were all very nervous about how to represent East ... We finished 4-2, which is a great record. Two kids were leaders out of the whole tournament, and overall, everybody pulled their weight and did a great job."

The team left the tournament third-ranked, despite a quirk of scoring that left them ineligible for the semifinals.

"We're still trying to figure it out," said Chang.

Pitcher Katie Koshes of Orange was one of West Haven's two tournament leaders -- leading in strikeouts and second-ranked in overall wins. Fans noticed her steely consistency in both , and , after which some fans thought their appearance in the semifinals would be a lock.

"It was difficult, but I got through it and pitched just like I normally do," she said about facing tension on the mound. "Always taking my time, and if I'm in trouble pitching, I just step back and take a deep breath, and then throw."

Koshe's teammate Kial Watts also led the series with a .588 batting average. The series featured teams from all over the world, including the eventual winners, the West division from Anchorage, Alaska.