(San Diego, CA)
Heading over to the Left Coast for the Showcase by the Sea Tournament, the Aztecs Fastpitch Team arrived in San Diego with a chip on their shoulder and a purpose in their hearts.
Everyone, players, parents and fans wanted one thing; a championship for outgoing Coach Curtis Ruiz.
Having success at every stop, Ruiz has had a championship team at Pueblo High School in 2016 and numerous Tournament Championships with the Aztecs Club Team.
Curtis had the pleasure and responsibility of coaching his daughters and molding them into outstanding players and people.
The first game this afternoon showed this team wanted to get off on the right foot and put pressure on the field coming out of the gate.
Game 1 – The battery mates from the Benson High Bobcats, Pitcher Katie Sherman and Catcher Abby Workman shut down any hopes of winning by the first Firecracker Squad from Southern California 1-0. Sherman blanked them on a two hitter and was backed up by outstanding defense.
The game lasted the two hour limit so only five innings were played.
Game 2 – With one victory under their belts, the Lady Aztecs regrouped and took on Fearless Premier also from “America’s Finest City” (San Diego) in their second game of the day.
As in Game 1, the Aztecs came out fast and strong putting up two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Fearless Premier came back in the top of the 4th with two runs of their own to tie the contest.
Neither team could break the tie as this game was also approaching the time limit.
In the bottom of the sixth, with two outs, current Pima College Aztec Star Mya Cabral hit a seeing eye walkoff bloop single over the shortstop’s outstretched glove scoring speedster and future Pima Aztec “Breezy” Campas all the way from second base and a 3-2 win.
The Aztecs were where they wanted to be, headed to the championship game and the third game of the day.
Game 3 – Still riding high, but noticeably tired, the young ladies from Tucson were matched against the home team San Diego Firecrackers to decide the championship.
“Ride or Die” was in full affect in the finale at Robb Field in Ocean Beach. Both teams came in ready and no one blinked. Power on power, strength on strength, this had the makings of an instant classic.
For the third consecutive game, the Aztecs scored in their first at bats and a 2-0 lead.
Things changed in a hurry in the top of the third inning when the hometown Firecrackers loaded the bases and kept the pressure on a tired Sherman until five runs had crossed the plate and chased her out of the game.
Suddenly, for the first time all day, the players from Tucson found themselves down 5-2. In their half of the inning, the Aztecs worked hard to load the bases trying to get back into the game but came up empty.
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In the bottom of next inning, the combination of walks and timely hits Team Aztecs got one run back and had a runner at first when “Breezy” Campas hit a soft grounder to the left side but was called safe when the throw got past the first baseman putting runners at second and third.
Both runners quickly scored on a hit and this game was even again heading into the fifth inning. It was a punch – counterpunch mentality on both sides.
Each team got runners on in their halves of the fifth. The most serious threat was the Aztecs in the bottom of the inning getting runners in scoring position before Clarissa De La Ossa ended the ining with the third out.
Immediately, the umpires gathered to discuss the impending darkness that was upon Robb Field. Without field lighting it was almost impossible to continue to play. The deciding factor was not wanting to get a player injured, they called the game and it ended in a 5-5 tie.
Co-Champions not by choice, the Aztecs were still able to give Coach Curtis Ruiz his wish of going out on top.
The team received the championship plaque and players medals as each coach, starting with Ruiz gave an emotional thanks to every player on the team and the parents who made this happen.
This was a day that will be etched in the minds and memories of these athletes as they concluded their Club Season and now head to their respective school teams.
It was a day which Curtis Ruiz will never forget just as his first victory many moons ago. “Ride or Die!”
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