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Jordynn Elwood, front, warms up with the rest of the Lodi Extreme 16s All-Star team on Tuesday at Salas Park. It was the team's last practice before heading to Eagle Pass, Texas for the Babe Ruth World Series. (Angelina Gervasi/News-Sentinel)
Extreme success
Lodi softball team going back to Series with high expectations
Outfielder Reannan Lewis has totaled a lot of frequent-flyer miles and accumulated an impressive collection of Babe Ruth World Series souvenir T-shirts the past three summers
Lewis, however, claimed she needs more free miles than what she has already racked up while playing for Lodi Extreme All-Star softball teams in places like North Carolina, Virginia and New Jersey.
Today, Lewis gets the chance to cash in more miles when she and her Lodi teammates board a plane and head south to the Lone Star State in hopes of capturing a national title.
"This is the year we can win it all. I think we should have won it all last year, too," Lewis said of the 16-and-under squad's third-place finish in Millville, N.J.
"This year's team is much stronger, and everybody is ready to go."
After Friday's pre-tournament banquet, the opening ceremonies begin on Saturday morning and play runs through Aug. 11 at the Sports Complex in Eagle Pass, Texas (the host city has a population of 22,000 and borders the Rio Grande River, about 140 miles south of San Antonio).
Lodi will open National Division pool play against Southern Plains, Colo., on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
According to Lodi softball coordinator Steve Brown, teams are guaranteed four games and can advance to double-elimination play with two victories.
Although Lodi has high expectations for the World Series, getting there wasn't easy.
Kelsey McCarty, left, and Brooke Ortiz of the Lodi Extreme 16s softball team practice a drill on Tuesday at Salas Park. (Angelina Gervasi/News-Sentinel)
When: Saturday through Aug. 11.
Where: Eagle Pass, Texas.
Who: Lodi, the Pacific Southwest champion, is one of 10 teams competing. Also represented are teams from Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. (Ohio Valley regional), Altamonte Springs, Fla. (Southeast), Plantation Athletic Club, New Orleans, La. (Southwest), Port Angeles, Wash. (Pacific Northwest), Del Rio Texas (South Texas State), Gorham, Maine (New England), Toms Rivers, N.J. (Middle Atlantic), Southern Plains, Colo. (Midwest Plains), Eagle Pass, Texas (host).
Last year: Lodi placed third at the World Series in Millville, N.J.
Pool play: Lodi plays Southern Plains, Colo., in its opener on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.; Lodi plays Gorham, Maine on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.; Lodi plays Toms River, N.J., on Monday at 9:30 a.m.; Lodi plays Eagle Pass, Texas on Tuesday at 9 p.m.
Lodi faced potential elimination following an early 4-3 loss to Concord White in the Pacific Southwest Regional a few weekends ago in Concord.
Extreme manager Marty Morfey said the loss was a wake-up call for his team.
"I don't know how they do it," said Morfey. "It seems like the more games they play in a row, the better they play with their backs to the wall."
Lodi made a determined run through the loser's bracket and then avenged its only loss with a pair of clutch wins over Concord White, including overcoming a three-run deficit in the title game.
"They played like a team on a mission," Morfey said. "They wanted to prove they were the strongest team out there."
Eight returning veterans from last year's team at Millville gives Lodi a decided edge in this year's 10-team tournament, which also includes four teams that participated in last season's Series.
Pitcher/OF Allie Mendez, who finished the 2006 Series with the highest batting average. (.524), Jordynn Elwood and pitcher Tori Shepard, who tossed a no-hitter in last year's tourney, lead a deep and powerful Lodi squad.
Extreme players Brook Ortiz, Jill McMillan, Kelsey McCarty, Alex Lang, Amanda Schatz, Taylor Sousa, Alyssa Magana and Jerika Senecal round out the team.
In addition to Morfey, assistant coaches Joe Ortiz, John Mendez and Rob Shepard will travel with the squad, as well as Brown, who oversees the team operations.
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