Three county Little League teams reach state tournaments

While many families are making vacation plans before the school bell starts ringing again, some Valencia County households are spending much of the summer at the ballpark.

Three Valencia County Little League teams from District 9 qualified for state tournament action — Enchantment in the 8/9/10 softball division, and Yucca in both 8/9/10 baseball and major baseball, officially known as the Little League Baseball division.

State tournaments in baseball start next week, but Enchantment softball took the field Saturday after receiving a bye in the state tournament at the Pueblo of Isleta.

Enchantment went 3-0 in the district tournament and continued their winning ways at state with an 18-7 victory over Carlsbad.

Enchantment scored five runs in the first inning and seven more in the third to dominate Carlsbad.

“They all showed up to the plate today and did their job,” said coach Kristin Luna.

Izebella Cherino recorded 12 strikeouts for Enchantment, while gutting it out after getting hit in the leg while batting.

“I just sucked it up and kept playing,” Cherino said, “It feels good to win. I have fun playing softball.”

After falling Sunday to Eastdale, Enchantment’s season ended Monday with a heartbreaking 5-4 loss in eight innings to Deming.

As the tournament got underway, Luna said the overall success of Enchantment this season can be attributed to “The bond and the teamwork — I’m proud of these girls.”

Isleta is no stranger to hosting state tournaments, thanks to quality fields that now have lights. With three new concession facilities to be added, Rob Mariano Jr., Isleta Little League president, has hopes of landing a regional tournament.

“One (concession) can serve more food, there will be restroom facilities, inside space for umpires,” Mariano said, adding that he’s excited for the future, including District 9.

“Those are our neighbors. It kind of brings us together.”

The two Yucca Little League state baseball qualifiers are spending the week practicing, with both championships scheduled to start July 12. Roadrunner Little League in Albuquerque will host the majors tournament, with Los Lunas the location for 8/9/10, also called the minors division.

“It’s exciting for our league,” to represent the state with two teams, said Joey Timmons, Yucca president. “It’s fun to see the kids succeed after all that hard work.”

Timmons cites volunteers and Yucca’s board of directors for building consistency. The minors division team, managed by Jesse Eden, is going to state for a third straight year after winning the district tournament “if” game.

“They’ve got a good chance to show what they’ve got,” Timmons said.

For the first time since about 2002, Yucca reached the majors state tournament. This division culminates with the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

“This is my last year and I really want to make it to the World Series,” said Yucca left fielder Owen Olivares.

Luke Timmons, right fielder and Joey’s son, says, “We can really hit the ball.”

Joey Timmons, who also manages this group, says Yucca has a roster almost exclusively of 12-year-old players, and outscored opponents in district play 48-8.

“They are the real deal,” Timmons said. “They’re a good ball club.”