White Sox claim Clemente State Tournament title

White Sox claim Clemente State Tournament title

July 28, 2001

THE CORTEZ WHITE SOX were recently crowned State Roberto Clemente champions. Pictured are (front row, left to right): Kody Devers, Zachary Martinez, Tallon Ralstin, Devin Fox, Kalem High, Chris Aiken; (second row): Curtis Anderson, Ryan Greene, Chris Black, Ryan Haley, Cade Mitchell, Bridger Trap, Jonathon Vallejos, Aaron Johnson; (back row): coaches Bryan Black, George Devers, Danny Cline, Kyle High, Clemente division director Paul Trap, and head coach Troy Ralstin.

STAFF REPORT

The Cortez White Sox would face wind, rain, and teeter on the brink of elimination before capturing the Roberto Clemente Baseball State (Cortez competes at State play in New Mexico) Tournament title on July 14 at Aztec, N.M.

The team of 7-8 year-olds completed a 15-0 regular season in the local pitching machine league, sponsored by the Cortez Division of the American Amateur Baseball Congress. The White Sox won the local league tournament against teams from Cortez, Mancos, and Dolores.

The State Tournament championship drive kicked off on July 11. The White Sox, though, apparently left their bats at home and fell to the Farmington Astros 10-7. Another loss in the double-elimination tournament would have been their last game of the season.

"We were very nervous and it showed until the last three innings," head coach Tony Ralstin said. "Chris Black (game Most Valuable Player) hit a three-run home run for us in the top of the sixth (and final inning) to get us within three, but it wasn’t enough but it gave us momentum for the next day."

The Sox offense returned for games played the next two days. Cortez defeated Window Rock (Ariz.) Top Dawgs 14-0 and then stunned hometown Aztec Iil Ice 17-6. The Sox still three games away from the title and a loss would put them out of the tourney. Ryan Haley and Ryan Greene were chosen MVPs of those two games.

On July 13, the White Sox took on the Farmington Lumber Kings, considered by many to be the toughest team in the tournament. The Sox exploded for seven runs in the first inning but would fail to score again for four more frames. Trailing 10-7 going into their final at-bats, Haley launched his second three-run homer of the tourney to tie the game. Aaron Johnson scored the game-winning run for the 11-10 win. The Sox advanced into the semifinals.

July 14 found the White Sox digging in against the Astros. The game began in a windstorm and found the Sox battling from behind. Cortez trailed Farmington 12-10 heading into their last at-bats, 45 seconds from the time limit. Haley started a six-run rally with two-run dinger but the Astros would add four in the bottom of the sixth sending the game into extra-innings tied at 16-all.

Neither team would score in the seventh. In the top of the eighth, Haley again homered to lead off a five-run rally in the nine-batter inning. Bridger Trap slapped a bases-loaded double during the barrage.

"Bridger has hit well as year long and his two-run double gave us the edge we needed," Ralstin commented.

The Astros responded with a quick four runs, putting the tying run at third base. The Sox played well defensively and stopped the rally with the 21-20 win. Johnson was chosen MVP.

Cortez was now in the championship game, but had to play only 30 minutes later after the marathon game.

The White Sox would again face the Lumber Kings. The Lumber Kings defeated the Farmington Dogers in the other semifinals. Both teams started hot. The Sox led 10-8 but a rain delay halted play in the second inning. Kalem High went three-for-three in the game including a triple-clearing hit knocking in Kody Devers, Greene, and Black before the delay.

The game resumed despite a light cold drizzle. Cortez continued to play well offensive and defensively. Cade Mitchell and Jonathon Vallejos worked well behind the plate. Vellajos was named MVP in the championship game for his fifth-inning double. Cortez held an 18-15 lead before the Kings took their final turn at the plate. Farmington scored a quick run on back-to-back doubles and had the tying run at the plate. A grounder to Haley, who forced a runner at second, ended the game. Johnson was chosen MVP of the game.

"I do not believe many people expected the kids to compete as well as they did. But this is a great group of kids who worked hard all year. Greene, Johnson, Aiken, and Devers were all first-year players who improved to level in order to win. I am so proud of this team’s accomplishments all year long," Ralstin added.

The White Sox were presented with a three-and-half foot tall championship trophy. The trophy will be passed among team players, like the Stanley Cup. The team, at this level, do not advance to Regionals or Nationals.

The White Sox finished with a 20-1 record with members: Aiken, Anderson, Black, Kody Devers, Devin Fox, Greene, Trap, High, Curtis Anderson, Mitchell, Johnson, Martinez, Tallon Ralstin, and Vallejos. Ralstin was assisted by Bryan Black, Danny Cline, George Devers and Kyle High. Ralstin had coached many of the players in T-ball the year before. Paul Trap was the director of the local Clemente League.