The Jolico 60’s graduated from last year’s SPA women’s 55 bracket and took the 60 AAA Worlds in their first try Sept ember 22-24 at Heritage Point Park in Dalton, Georgia.
“This was our first tournament ever in the 60’s bracket,” Jolico manager Lynda Hart said. “We played 55 last year and most of us could have moved up but we were waiting for the (2016) 60’s team to move up to 65’s, so our team could move up as a team.”
The “rookie” Jolico squad made their opponents wish they had waited another year as they not only went 6-0 but outscored them 89-36 in the pool and bracket games.
The only game they were really tested was in the winner’s bracket game against the Maryland Road Runners (who were 3-0 at the time) winning 12-11.
“We railed in that game but came back in the last innings to go ahead and hold the lead for the win.”, Hart said.
In the other bracket games, Jolico beat Sunny Beaches 10-4 and Nor’ Easters 12-1. In Pool play they beat the Nor’ Easters 17-5, Sunny Beaches 15-5 and Southern Stars 23-10.
“We were really at the top of our game and relaxed,” the manager said. "The last couple of years we have been playing teams three-to-six years younger than us. At Dalton we were the younger team."
The Jolico 60’s like all Jolico teams are wizards with the glove and have a balanced batting order from top-to-bottom but in every tournament a number of people received special recognition.
Assistant coach Bob Crick received the SPA 60’s Women’s Manager of-the-Year Award.
“I have had health problems this year and Dalton was the first tournament I had been able to perform my duties,” Hart said. “Since Bob has been handling my responsibilities all year, I just felt he deserved the Manager-of-the-Year award more than me.”
Papati Wing received the tournament MVP Award. Selected to the All-American All-Star team were Kim Kendrick, Linda Faulkner, Debra Langevin, Karen Barclay and Jeri Kern.
Members of the World Championship 60’s are: Sharon Yoder, Kendrick, Faulkner, Susan Warner, Amy Argo, Mary Foerg, Tamra Marinello, Hart, Patt Tomaselli, Sonequa Daniels, Wing, Debra Ruthruff, Julie Dooney, Langevin, Lisa Policastri, Susan Johnson, Barclay, Kern Shirley Cummins and Crick.
Sunny Beaches took runner-up honors in the tournament followed by Maryland Roadrunners, Nor’ Easters, Southern Stars and Show Me. The Southern Stars won the consolation championship game 15-4 over Show Me.