(Peoria, AZ) The Sierra Vista Roadrunners qualified for the Arizona State Softball Special Olympics Games held at Paloma Community Park.
Twenty one teams total qualified in two different divisions. The Roadrunners along with the Douglas Bulldogs represented Cochise County.
There were several rule adjustments; 60 minute timed games on Friday and 70 minutes play time on Saturday. The most controversial rule was if the time expired in the middle of an inning, they umpire crew would go back to the last full inning’s score and determine the winner.
On Friday, Sierra Vista dropped both games in Pool Play to set up the brackets for Saturday’s matchups.
In the first game on Saturday, the Roadrunners faced the nearby Surprise Sidewinders. In the first inning, Surprise put up 12 runs to Sierra Vista’s 4 runs. Here’s where that controversial rule came into effect. In the top of the second inning, down by 8 runs, the Roadrunners’ offense came alive by way of several walks and some timely hitting and pulled ahead 13-12. The 70 minute time allotment expired so the Surprise team did have an opportunity for their second at bats. As explained, the umpires went back to the score at the end of the first inning where Surprise had the lead and so they were declared the winners.
Disappointed but determined, Sierra Vista carried that chip on their shoulders into the nightcap game against Tucson Sunbird-Falcons to determine 3rd and 4th place in the Olympics.
Due to the game prior, the controversial run rule came into play again. The two teams played for and hour and a half before the outcome was decided. Therefore, the Sierra Vista/Tucson game was shortened to 50 minutes instead of 70 minutes.
Knowing that with a shortened game, it was imperative to score in the first inning. Batting second as the home team, the Roadrunners found themselves down 3-0 even when catcher Don Taylor tagged two runners out at the plate or they would have been down by more.
After the spectacular home plate outs that kept the Sunbirds-Falcons within reach, the momentum was with the Sierra Vista team. They responded by coming back in grand fashion by scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the first inning to win the game and the Bronze Medal for 3rd Place in the Olympics.
The winning pitcher was Amber Ray, but it took the entire roster’s effort to claim the medal.
Here is the Sierra Vista Roadrunner Team:
#12 Amanda Zerba – 2nd Base, #24 Delvin Strodtman – Shortstop, #6 Amber Ray – Pitcher, #16 Sam Foster – Center Field, #5 Gracie Terry – Right Field, #7 Theresa Opat – First Base, #11 Don Taylor – Catcher, #22 Cord Roberts – Left Field, #20 Joseph Frank – Middle Field, #18 Tristan Jones – 3rd Base, #13 April Opat – Right Field, #3 Jacob Shanks – Left Field.
Coaching staff: Manager – Sandy Thrasher.
Coach Thrasher added, “this team played hard and I am so extremely proud of them and their teamwork.
Deborah Baker Head of Delegation for Sierra Vista Special Olympics said, “Awesome you’re the best and I am so overwhelmed and grateful for all the support of COOL-FM LIVE. Thank your team, it means the world to this team, coaches, volunteers and parents.”
The observation of COOL-FM LIVE and 520 Sports Talk was this team had more heart and determination than most, knowing they could come back after adversity and all pulled together to get that one important win that earned them a Bronze Medal and an experience they’ll never forget.
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