Somerville Tsunami Wins Middle Essex Division

 Thanks to guest blogger & Ward 1 resident Bob Schofield

10U Softball Wins Middle Essex Division

The Somerville Tsunami 10U softball team finished their season 13-1 to finish to earn co-champions of the 10U B division of the Middle Essex Softball League.  In their first year of play the girls began practices at the end of June and played 14 games through the first week in August scoring 167 runs in those games. 

The Tsunami girls finished with a nine game winning streak defeating teams from Charlestown, Watertown, Burlington, Melrose, and Winchester.  In addition to the outstanding regular season games, by finishing in one of the top four spots in their division, the Tsunami coaches had the opportunity to coach one of four Middle Essex all-star teams with three of their very own players representing the Somerville Tsunami:  Nevalee Hawkins, Pitcher; Ava Regan, 3^rd Base; and Chloe Wilson, Catcher.

The Tsunami was led by a group of girls who will move up to play 12U next season including the all-stars listed above and Ishvita Bali, Caitlin Fitzgerald, and Yukti Sharma.  The future is bright for the 10U team with seven girls returning:  Emma Benevento, 2^nd Base; Jamie DaSilva, Right Field; Hanna Fray, Pitcher; Jasmine Fridman, Right Field; Neveah Sanchez, Center Field; Jadea West, 1^st Base; and Katie Ziko, Right Field.

An extension of the Somerville Youth Softball Organization, the Somerville Tsunami is a summer travel option for 10U and 14U eligible girls who were selected through tryouts and invited to play based on performance during the recreation season.  In it’s second year, the SYSO has launched an instructional league, competitive leagues for girls from 10-15, clinics, coaches training, a winter hitting clinic and will continue to expand programs through fall and winter programs this year.

Thanks to the SYSO and Wicked Cheesy in Tewksbury, The Tsunami had the opportunity to compete in the Year End Tournament in Tewksbury over the weekend competing against tournament and regional teams from Massachusetts and Maine.  The step up in play was a great experience for the Tsunami girls who ended up losing twice to the eventual tournament champions the Southern Maine Flame.

The Somerville Tsunami would like to extend a special thanks to the Somerville Youth and Recreation Department for their support, the Patch and Benjamin Moore for sponsorship, and Wicked Cheesy for being our tournament sponsor and “headquarters” this past weekend