The Jamaica Plain Regan Youth League Girls Softball team overcame intense heat and strong competition to capture the 16U Mayors Cup Championship on July 14.
Front row (left to right): Tara Gipstein, Maya Vogt, Nyla James, Isabel Costa-Smith, Elesber Tejeda, Izabelle Roman; Back row (left to right): Jennifer Widener- Boston Parks and Recreation, Head Coach Jenny Huezo-Rosales, Lauren Johnson, Urvi Gipstein, Joy Martinez, Mary Bosch, Genesis Toledano, Coach David Gipstein, Coach Harry Smith. (Photo Courtesy P Regan Youth League)
The JP team played six games in two days, after defeating defending champs East Boston in the first game. They emerged victorious with a nail-biting 6-5 victory in the championship game over Parkway Girls Softball. In all, four of the five games were decided by a margin of one or two runs, including an exciting walk-off victory that sent Regan League to the finals.
“I am proud of the incredible effort and teamwork that the girls showed. They hung in there against very tough competition and never gave up. It was a complete team effort,” said head coach Jenny Huezo-Rosales.
The Mayors Cup Tournament, which was held at Ross Field in Hyde Park, is sponsored by the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department.
The Jamaica Plain Regan Youth League is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019. This spring featured more than 600 boys and girls ages 5-16 from Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, Roslindale, Dorchester and surrounding neighborhoods, playing baseball and softball on 47 teams.