SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The South Tahoe Babe Ruth 13–16-year-old all-star team held on to win their third straight Nevada State Championship June 27 at the Todd Fields Baseball Complex at South Tahoe Middle School. After lopsided Friday wins against Fallon and Sparks, South Tahoe faced a determined Fallon team again on Saturday. After trailing early, South Tahoe battled back with run support up and down their lineup to snatch a 14-13 win, led by three hits from center fielder Emilio Della Ripa and two hits each from catcher Bodie Erwin and first baseman and relief pitcher Seamus Donahue.
This was the third straight state title for this squad, which began playing under coaches Albert Aquino, Joel Gomez, Mark Moran, and Chris Campion when they were 11-year-olds.
South Tahoe will travel next to Fallon, Nevada, on July 19-24 to compete in the Pacific Southwest Regional Babe Ruth tournament against teams from Arizona, California (North, Central, and South), Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. The winner of that tournament goes on to the Babe Ruth World Series in Branson, Missouri.
Tahoe’s team is fundraising for travel expenses so that all players can go to regionals, regardless of their family’s financial situation. Please donate and keep up with the team’s progress on their GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/d1514c542.
Team members have been active in the community, attending the dedication of the Tim Wakefield Memorial batting cages at the new South Lake Tahoe Recreation and Aquatics Center on Tuesday. In addition to taking batting practice from Hall of Famer John Smoltz, the team helped younger players hit in the cages and grow their love of the game.
Lake Tahoe Golf Course kindly designated these All Stars as its charity for this week’s 6th hole competition. The local “Boys of Summer” were happy to meet many local and visiting golfers who generously donated to their cause. Thanks to Kevin and his team at Lake Tahoe Golf Course.
In addition, Ryan and Dana at South Side Autobody again stepped up to the plate, as they have for the past four years, sponsoring the team’s travel. Brennan and everyone at Lake Tahoe Pizza Company also came up big to help get to regionals as well as being the host restaurant of Babe Ruth this season.
Players, coaches, and board members appreciate your community spirit by backing this local team representing Tahoe at Regionals.
