North Bellmore-North Merrick Lady Rebels Capture New York State Little League 11U Softball Championship!

The NBNM 11U Lady Rebels defeated the Nanuet Allstars 8-4 in the New York State Little League championship game on Aug. 6, which was held at the Little League complex in Fishkill, N.Y. In the semi-final game earlier in the day, the Lady Rebels dispatched the Pleasant Valley Giftshop Girls 11-0.

The annual state tournament was held this year in Glens Falls, New York. The Lady Rebels cruised through undefeated in the early local rounds of the tournament to earn the opportunity to compete at the state level. The Lady Rebels played four games during the week to earn a second seed berth, entering the playoff round with a 3-1 record; and outscoring their opponents 42-6. Unfortunately, the semi-finals and championship game were rained out and the Lady Rebels had to leave Glens Falls to return to Bellmore to await the decision as to when and where the playoff games would be played. However, Lady Rebels were not deterred by the challenges of long travels across New York, uncooperative weather, unsympathetic state troopers, walking tacos, or even white water rapids in their quest to win the New York State softball title. They used the week-long rain delay wisely and continued their preparation and practice throughout the week, fine tuning their defensive, bunting and other skills before heading back upstate to Fishkill, NY to resume the playoff games.

Kerri Hatcliffe took the mound for the Lady Rebels in the semi-final game against the Pleasant Valley Giftshop Girls. Although it was a tight game at first, the Lady Rebels eventually broke it wide open with timely hits from everyone, and flawless defense. Hatcliffe helped her own cause by making several defensive plays herself, including participating in an exciting double play initiated by catcher Lily Yepez, who gunned out the batter heading to first on a bunt attempt. First baseman Kayla Weber then alertly threw to third to trap the other base runner in a rundown, and third baseman Paige Antener fired a perfect strike to Hatcliffe who was covering home to nab the runner. The final score of this semi-final game was 11-0.

Later the same day under the blazing sun, Kayla Weber pitched the championship game against the Nanuet All Stars, who were the only team to defeat the Lady Rebels in the earlier pool play, 7-5. The Lady Rebels jumped out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to the powerful offense of their shortstop and leadoff hitter Alanna Morse, and catcher Hailey Guerrero, both of whom terrorized opponents all week on the base paths. But Nanuet tied it up in the bottom half of the first with some clutch hitting of their own.

The Lady Rebels eeked out another run in the second to take the lead, but Nanuet quickly tied the game up at 3-3. The score was 5-4 heading into the sixth and final inning, with Nanuet having the home field advantage and last licks, and the Lady Rebels nervously holding on to their slim lead. The fans held their collective breaths as the Lady Rebels came to bat for the final time.

Kayla Weber led off the top of the 6th with a clutch walk and she was replaced with special pinch runner Brianna Gonzalez. Next up was right fielder Lexi Nilsen, who, after fouling off a few tough pitches, roped a double to left field, putting runners on second and third with nobody out. Left fielder Sarah Kennedy then laid down a perfect bunt while the speedy Gonzalez sprinted for home. The crowd went wild as Gonzalez practically leaped over the catcher fielding the bunt to cross the plate for the much needed insurance run. The ever reliable Alanna Morse was up next and she did not disappoint as she crushed a fastball deep to the outfield for a double, driving in Nilsen. Morse would later come around to score on Guerrero’s RBI single, and the Lady Rebels found themselves ahead 8-4 headed into the bottom of the sixth.

The bottom of the sixth was anti-climatic compared to the top half of the inning, as Weber quickly dispatched the Nanuet team in order, striking out the last batter on a called strike three to end the game and secure the championship. Coaches Jared Hatcliffe, Kevin Weber and Alfonso Guerrero, along with the parents and fans, poured onto the field in joyous celebration. The skies then opened up with rain to cool off this red-hot Lady Rebels team as they accepted their awards as the New York State Little League champions.

Their stellar defense was likely the difference in this tournament for the Lady Rebels, as they consistently demonstrated their superiority in that regard. Of particular note was the defensive play of shortstop Alanna Morse who made no errors during the entire tournament while completing several outstanding plays. Outfielders Lexi Nilsen, Cara Trenkle and Brianna Gonzalez also played errorless defense throughout the tournament. Third baseman Paige Antener deftly handled the hot corner, and pitchers Hatcliffe and Weber kept the Lady Rebels in every game by throwing strikes. Additionally, catchers Lily Yepez and Hailey Guerrero all but eliminated the running games of their opponents with their quick pick off moves, cat-like bouncing on bunt attempts, and success in throwing out would-be base stealers. Many girls also showed their defensive versatility by playing several different positions throughout the tournament.

The offense of the Lady Rebels was impressive too, as was their ability to string together clutch hits. Alanna Morse and Hailey Guerrero led the offensive attacks throughout the week. Second baseman Janaye Laforte’s consistent power hitting promoted her to the cleanup spot in the tournament, and she became an RBI machine, despite the fact that her name was horribly mispronounced from Bellmore to Saratoga. Kerri Hatcliffe came up big twice with two outs, delivering clutch hits and 3 RBIs in the championship game. Lexi Nilsen showed her toughness by staying in the game despite getting hit by a pitch several times. Cara Trenkle and Sarah Kennedy demonstrated their unselfishness and team-first attitude by their willingness to routinely move the runners over and lay down sacrifice bunts, and by always being ready to enter the game at a moment’s notice.

This Little League State Tournament experience became more than the play that happened on the field, although the various games were as exciting as could be. This Lady Rebels team is special because it is also about the NBNM community, the neighbors socializing with neighbors, and the girls playing softball with their friends. This particular Lady Rebels team would never have made it to the championship game without the support of the all of the families, from the parent coaches, and the dads (and Melanie) helping out at the practices, to the bored siblings in the stands, the cheering grandparents, aunts and uncles, and the moms-- ever ready with snacks, sunscreen, and hair products. The players’ siblings went above and beyond, especially: Brianna Morse, a Lady Rebel alumni and former State Champion herself, who was present at every game in full Lady Rebel attire, and who volunteered to pitch BP to the team before the championship game; Allie Trenkle, foregoing her 15th birthday celebration to be there to cheer for her sister Cara; “baby rebel” Gabby Laforte; Grace Antener, refusing to stay home; Luke Yepez, laundering and delivering the team’s uniforms at the hotel; Matt Biscardi, ready with blue and gold silly string to celebrate the championship; and who could forget All County Star Lauren Nilsen belting out the National Anthem on the field’s questionable sound system at the opening ceremony? And of course, loyal friends Konstantina Sigalas and Dani Biscardi, who traveled to Glens Falls and Fishkill to cheer on their teammates. All contributed to make an unforgettable memory for this special team.

The girls’ journey to get to this point started years ago in T-Ball, back when they played with (and were as good as!) the boys. Over the ensuing years, the girls have split up onto their own travel teams, worked with various trainers, have left the Little League and returned, just in time to get to this serendipitous point, where all the moving parts came together to create this special team that truly exemplified the Little League Pledge: “I will play fair, and strive to win, but win or lose, I will always do my best.” These Lady Rebels and their coaches represented our North Bellmore-North Merrick town so very well, never stooping to the level of the taunting, complaining or bragging of some of their opponents, but instead, letting their exemplary behavior, athleticism and play speak for itself. The NBNM community is very proud of these exceptional young ladies, who were chosen for the team from among all the players in the NBNM Little League by the Little League Board of Directors and coaches, based upon their exceptional performance and attendance throughout the regular little league season.

The members of the 2016 NBNM Lady Rebels 11U New York State Little League Championship softball team are: Paige Antener, Brianna Gonzalez, Hailey Guerrero, Kerri Hatcliffe, Sarah Kennedy, Janaye Laforte, Alanna Morse, Alexa Nilsen, Cara Trenkle, Kayla Weber and Lily Yepez, and they were tirelessly coached by volunteers Jared Hatcliffe, Kevin Weber and Alfonso Guerrero. Congratulations to the Lady Rebels!