By Steve Keenan
The Montgomery Herald
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During the spring, the Valley and Fayetteville girls go at it tooth-and-nail for bragging rights on local softball diamonds.
But, as higher humidity and temperature levels set in, the high schoolers set aside those competitive differences, instead choosing to pool their collective talents to form a cohesive unit. It has been a successful collaboration that has resulted in state all-star titles and out-of-state regional Big League tournament play in two of the past three summers.
A collection of standouts representing the attendance areas of Valley and Fayetteville high schools — known as the UKV/Fayetteville Venom — recently captured the state Big League softball championship and, with it, a berth in the Southern Region Big League Softball Tournament in Clearwater, Fla. from July 30 to Aug. 1.
The Venom won two straight games from Beckley, 22-0 and 12-4, to claim the state crown.
Tod Belmont is the team manager, and David Horrocks and Cinda Elswick are coaches. Players include Megan Begley, Brooke Belmont, Markie Blackburn, Bryana Christian, Emily Donato, Kara Evans, Chelsie Horrocks, Shandi Myles, Madison McDermott, Stephanie Nickell and Morgan Wheeler.
David Horrocks says the Venom’s undefeated 2010 season has been a product of many things. One key has been the players’ efforts. “The girls have really worked hard,” said Horrocks. “And we’ve played no home games, so we had to travel all summer, which is hard. It’s been a big sacrifice for them.”
Putting their goals ahead of school affiliation has been a big boost, too.
“As big a rivals as they are in high school, they’ve been able to set that aside,” Horrocks said. “As hard as they play against each other in school, they work and play just as hard when they’re together.
“We’ve got a heck of a good ball team.”
The young ladies and their coaches and supporters are now attempting to raise money to finance the regional trip. There will be two fund-raisers this weekend, one in Fayetteville and one in Montgomery.
A donation car wash will be staged on Saturday, July 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Bob Evans parking lot in Fayetteville. Then, on Sunday, July 18, a pool party will be held at the Montgomery Outdoor Pool from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission will be $3 per person. Organizers will be running the concession stand, as well as having a raffle.
Looking ahead to the regional, Horrocks says the Mountain State team expects to have a better showing than its 2008 appearance.
“We probably have at least half of the same girls (back from 2008),” he said. “We’ve played various teams on the East Coast, and we expect to have a lot more success in the tournament this year.
“The players are older and more experienced and know what to expect.”
— E-mail:
skeenan@register-herald.com
