Arcadia Girls Softball All-Stars Qualify for Western Nationals

For the first time ever, an Arcadia softball team is headed to nationals.

The Arcadia girls softball 14U All-Star team will compete in the 2011 ASA Western National Girls “B” Fast Pitch Championships in Spokane, Wash. The tournament runs from Aug. 1-7, and features teams from Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Idaho, Alaska, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, California and Hawaii. The Arcadia squad advanced via a seventh place showing in the Southern California State Championships on July 8-10 in Lancaster.

Only 12 squads out of the 31-team field qualified for the western nationals, and Arcadia topped teams from Northridge, Claremont, San Diego, Peninsula and Cerritos to book its ticket to Spokane.

“It has been a real pleasure coaching such a fine group of girls,” team manager and Arcadia resident Cesar Mejia said in a release. “They are true athletes who have shown dedication to their teammates and a determination to win.”

In order to make the trek to Spokane, coach Jon Zernickow said AGSA would need to raise $24,000 to offset the travel expenses associated with attending the tournament. On Tuesday the team held a fundraiser at a local Denny’s, where 20 percent of the evening’s bills went to the team.

There will be more fundraisers throughout the coming days as they work to reach their goal. On Friday at the Monrovia Family Festival and Farmer's Market, the team will sell tickets to Sunday’s carwash and bake sale at the Monrovia YMCA on South Mountain Avenue.

On Saturday the girls will operate a lemonade stand in front of the Arcadia Albertsons, and there will be another fundraiser at Pepper’s Mexican Grill located at 181 West Colorado Place, where 25 percent of your bill will be donated to AGSA.

People are also encouraged to simply donate to the squad. Tax-deductible checks of support can be made out to “Arcadia Girls Softball Association” and mailed to AGSA – Nationals, P.O. Box 661483, Arcadia, CA  91066. (For tax purposes, AGSA’s tax-exempt number is 20-5849493). For further information or ways to contribute, please contact John Diehl at (818) 590-6648 or email him at john@jdiehl.com

In addition to its seventh-place showing in the Southern California State Championships, AGSA took first place in the 2011 Arcadia Foothill Classic, second in the Big Bear Mountain Top tournament, first in the Fountain Valley Summer Classic and first in the Southern California ASA Northern District Championships.

While the all-star squad represents Arcadia, the team is made up of players from all over the Southland: Taylor Carnes (Bradbury), Annie Diehl (Arcadia), Jenna Harper (Los Angeles), Lauren Jauregui (Arcadia), Lexi Madrid (Pomona), Elise McCarthy (Monrovia), Izzy Mejia (Arcadia), Yeram Park (Arcadia), Olivia Rivas (Duarte), Alyssa Scimeca (Monrovia) and Shelbi Zernickow (Monrovia).

Ashley Rosales (El Monte), Kathryn Martinez (Arcadia) and Riley Worley (Arcadia) are also on the team but will not be able to make the trip to Spokane.