YSB: Sassy Sluggers preparing for state run
(front row, from left) Kamari Gray, Jayla Moore, Sadie Ramsey, Kaleigh
Timmons and Jaycee Campbell. Also (back row) Coach Cierra Beatriz, Harlie
Ware, Erica Renick, Coach Donnell Washington, Abbigal Cooper, Destynee
Washington, Jamie Stephens and Coach April Gatlin. Not pictured are Emma
Samford and Marniesha Raspberry. (Photo contributed by April Gatlin)
A Center 8-and-Under youth softball squad hopes to use the experience at a recently held district tournament to improve its game when it competes at the Texas Amateur Softball Association (ASA) State Tournament this weekend in Lufkin.
The Sassy Sluggers had to battle a number of 'select' teams and struggled at the district tournament, according to Coach April Gatlin. But she hopes that the experience will help her squad when they compete Friday through Sunday at the Texas ASA 8-and-Under Pixie 'North' Fast Pitch State Championships in Lufkin.
The state tourney will be played from Friday through Sunday (June 3-5) at Kit McConnico Park (located at 903 Old Moffett Rd.), located just off East Loop 287.
The cost of admission is $6 for adults or $2 for children 12-and-under per day. A weekend pass can also be purchased for $10 for adults and $4 for the weekend. The opening ceremonies will be held on Friday at 4:30 p.m. The tournament's first games get underway at 6 p.m.
According to Gatlin, the double-elimination tournament pairings will be announced at 1 p.m. Friday at a coaches' meeting.
Members of the Sassy Sluggers include: Kamari Gray, Jayla Moore, Sadie Ramsey, Kaleigh Timmons, Jaycee Campbell, Emma Samford, Marniesha Raspberry, Harlie Ware, Erica Renick, Abbigal Cooper, Destynee Washington and Jamie Stephens.
Along with Gatlin, the team is coached by Cierra Beatriz and Donell Washington.
The Sassy Sluggers lost to the Bulldogs in the opening round of the ASA District 38 Tournament on May 20-22 in Nacogdoches. They then fell to the Knockouts in losers' bracket play.
"We didn't do so well at the district tournament, but there were quite a few 'select' teams playing there," said Gatlin. "Hopefully we'll be able to do better at the state tournament."