Another World Series Championship For Toms River?

Nine years after Toms River East won the Little League World Series another Toms River team might be on the verge of bringing a World Series title back to the area. The Toms River Lightening went a perfect 4-0 in pool play at the Babe Ruth Softball 16-and-under World Series in Eagle Pass, Texas after winning twice on Monday.

The Lightning beat Lodi, California 2-0 in the morning as Keri-Lynn Tricinelli pitched a one-hitter and also drove in a run. Last night Rachel Purporo flirted with a perfect game before settling for a one-hitter in a
7-0 victory over Southern Plains, Colorado. Purporo helped her own cause with a two-run double and Holly Luciano added a two-run triple.

Made up of some of the top young high school players from the area, the Lightning now move into the double elimination phase of the tournament, which will be reduced from ten to six teams. As the top-seed in the National Division they don’t play again until Wednesday night when in all likelihood they will play a team they’ve already beaten. Toms River is the only undefeated team and with a day off they appear to be in great position to win the Babe Ruth title, a year after they also made it to the World Series.

We are certainly in the dog days of summer with plenty of heat and humidity. Many athletes and teams have begun fall sports practice and everyone involved needs to take a common sense approach in conditions like this. Parents need to make sure their children are drinking plenty of water well in advance of heading to the practice field and use good judgment if they think the heat is too much. Coaches, especially those working with young athletes, also need to realize that missing a practice session or two is not going to spoil the upcoming season. If you have doubts whether it’s safe to be on the field it’s certainly better to err on the side of caution.