Ladyville Technical High School girls beat Guatemala in softball for
Gold medal at 2012 CODICADER Games
Congratulations are in order for our Ladyville Technical High School girls softball team who represented Belize bravely and proudly last week in Guatemala, where they captured the Gold Medal after defeating Guatemala in the final game of the softball competition at the CODICADER Games.
Amandala sports desk waited until midnight on Thursday of last week for the confirmation of results before going to press for our Sunday issue; but, unfortunately, the information was not forthcoming. Below are portions of some email exchanges with head of delegation Deon Sutherland, President of the National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA).
From: Deon Sutherland
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2012 10:32 AM
Subject: Softball
‘… In Softball yesterday Belize defeated Nicaragua, 16-0. Winning pitcher was Kimberly Williams.
“This puts Belize as the first seat and today we play Guate for the GOLD. Unfortunately, instead of having us as the home team since we are undefeated, they have us as the visitors and are refusing to change and make us the home team
“We have already prepped the athletes not to let that bother them, just go out and BEAT the first place out of them.
“…Our girls are in high spirits and are set to bring the gold…. We play the game against Guatemala at 11:00 this morning, and ceremony is at 1:00. Will inform of the results asap.”
Thursday, August 30, 2012 9:09 PM
(chilorx email to Deon Sutherland)
“What’s going on, Deon? You guys alright? Haven’t heard any report yet on today’s game.”
Friday, August 31, 2012 2:34 PM
(Deon Sutherland to [email protected])
“I sent this info yesterday.”
(Unfortunately, all media email addresses had somehow been deleted from the mailing list of that email, so we hadn’t received it; and so we went to press on Thursday night with lingering doubts and concerns about the welfare of our athletes. Below is the text of that report that Sutherland had sent only to his high school counterparts on Thursday.)
“Date: Thursday, August 30, 2012, 4:24 PM
“Good Evening,
“I´m happy to report to you all that Belize has captured its first GOLD medal in team sport at the 2012 CODICADER games in Guatemala.
“Belize was forced to play as the visitors, but none the less we overcame all odds. In the first inning, Belize scored only one run, leaving the bases loaded. However, Ashley´s dominant pitching had the Guatemalan girls 1, 2, 3 outs in the bottom of the 1st.
“In the 2nd inning, Belize turned up the heat, scoring a total of seven runs. Guatemala came back to score two runs; but that was all they would score, as the great defence of team Belize was too much for them.
“In the third inning, Bze did not score any runs, and came back in the fourth to score one run.That was all that was needed, as Belize held Guatemala to a 9-2 victory, capturing GOLD at the games.
“We captured individual medals in leading batter; Sabrina Campos was number one in that category. We are working on the result of the pitching title, as we believe Ashley is the pitcher of record, winning 3 of 3; however, the title was given to Guate, and we are sorting that out.
“They will not allow us to see the score sheet, as we believe a lot of the results were modified to give Guatemala the victory. But we have launched a protest, and it will be followed up later.”
(Along with the above message, Sutherland then also sent the below email to all the media and high school officials on Friday afternoon.)”
Great News!”
Friday, August 31, 2012 2:45 PM
“Afternoon all,
“I am happy to report to you that we won all our protests yesterday, and the Belize Softball Team represented by LTHS was awarded the GOLD team trophy along with a medal for the pitcher of record.
“Along with the 1st place, Belize got two (2) individual medals – best batter and winningest pitcher, giving us a total of three GOLD medals….”
(Ed. Note: Once again, we extend our belated congratulations to the players and coaches of the Ladyville Technical High School girls softball team, as well as our delegation officials who stood up for our athletes, on their historic victory for the Jewel!)