All-Stars win three titles

Published 10:22 am Thursday, July 21, 2011

Tidewater Terror members display their trophies for winning the 2011 Pony East Zone Championship are, from left in front, Kaylin Manner, Meredith Oliver, Austin Gore, Amiah Murphy, Brittney Strickland and Makayla Dickens; in middle, Morgan Stevens, Mackenzie Wooten, Kayce Gray, Kaleigh Beale and Sara Matthews; and in back, Coaches Les Matthews, Charlie Wooten, Al Gore and Garry Murphy. SUBMITTED

WINDSOR—In four weeks, a 10- and 11-year-old All-Star team with players from the Windsor and Holland Athletic associations combined for a 21-1 record.

The Tidewater Terror also outscored its opponents 211-52. Pitchers combined for 150 strikeouts, four no-hitters and four shutouts.

The kicker was beating the Ice from Pennsylvania 12-4 to win the 2011 Pony East Zone Championship in Chesapeake on Sunday.

“They’re just a good team with everyone doing their part,” said Coach Leslie Matthews. “The pitchers are doing their part, the defense did its part of backing them up and offense hits the ball hard.”

Two tournament titles over the past month qualified the team to travel to Round Rock, Texas, for the 2011 Pony Nationals, which opened Tuesday and runs through Satuday, July 23.

The team didn’t have the $6,000 to $7,000 to take the trip, Matthews said.

Since the last weekend of June, the girls played in four tournaments. They placed second in the Holland Havoc IV National Qualifier after a 7-6 loss to Smithfield in extra innings.

The team took titles in the Smithfield Summer Blast, Chesapeake Fast-pitch Regional Qualifier and East Coast Championship.

“The season is pretty much over,” Matthews said. “I’m just proud of the kids. They worked really, really hard — four nights a week since December in the cold and heat and keeping up their grades.”

The team’s record for the year is 80-15.

Some girls will move up next year, while some will remain.

“This particular team is a rare thing to have that many good kids together at the same time and at the same place,” Matthews said.

He expects that these girls could have successful high school and college softball careers.

“It depends on what their goals are and how far they want to take it. College is always an opportunity, whether as a walk-on or a scholarship.”