Hudson Boys & Girls Club is World Series-bound

For the second-straight year the Hoboken Shockers are heading to the World Series.

The Shockers, a youth softball team based out of Hoboken advanced to the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) World Series in Minnesota  after defeating the Jersey City Yankees 8-2 on Saturday to capture the Northeast Regional championship.

"It's really special for the girls," said Vinny Johnson, the team's head coach and assistant coach at Hoboken High School. "A lot of these girls have been playing together since they were 8 or 9 years old. (Last year) we lost in the semifinals. The girls are very confident in winning this year."

Many of these girls have played together during the summer for years, but until recently the RBI league was not an option for them.  Two years ago, Hoboken was granted an entry into the RBI program.

"We played in different leagues, we played in Pony League, Babe Ruth League, etc." said Johnson, who credited former Hoboken High and Penn State football standout as a major help in getting the girls into the league. " We have a great league and RBI takes the kids who are not (as) fortunate and give them an opportunity. It has been the greatest opportunity for a lot of our girls."

Among the opportunities were being honored at Yankee Stadium before Sunday's Yankees/Orioles game and yesterday the Shockers traveled out to Target Field, the home of the Minnesota Twins.

The Shockers, who are sponsored by Hudson County Boys and Girls Club, is composed primarily of girls from throughout the county. Seven members of 15-player team are from the Mile Square City, headlined by Erica Colon. Colon, the Shockers's top pitcher, was a two-time Hudson County Player of the Year while playing for High Tech and currently plays at Saint Peter's College.

Six current and former members of the Hoboken High School team are a part of the Shockers. Outfielders Sybil Lynch, Jade Bracero and Desiree Rivera along with 2B/P Jayla Vega were all key contributors on a Red Wings team which went 18-6 this year. Hoboken High alums Yaritza Santiago (a second baseman and pitcher) and Ashley Barron (a first baseman) also play big roles for the Shockers.

The Shockers quest for a RBI title begins today at 11:45 am when they face Cleveland the East Regional Champions.

The RBI World Series goes from Wednesday until Sunday, August 7. More information and updates from the RBI World Series are available at www.mlb.com/rbi.

Players: Marissa Bariso, Ashley Barron, Jade Bracero, Janissa Cardona, Amanda Casillas, Erica Colon, Natalia Estremera, Rebecca Gorney, Alyssa Guzman, Sybil Lynch, Jazmin Palma, Desiree Rivera, Angie Nieves, Yaritza Santiago, Jayla Vega.