PEABODY — Peabody’s 11U All-Star team is heading to North East, Maryland, to compete in the Little League Softball East Region Tournament. The Tanners qualified by winning June’s Massachusetts Little League Softball State Championship.
Peabody swept through the district tournament before advancing to the state championship series against Norwell. It won the first game, 11-9, before dropping the second, 17-7, to set up a decisive Game 3.
“We were on a great run, but after that second game, every single player looked like the life was sucked out of them. A lot of them were crying because we’ve never lost before. They thought the season was over,” said manager Mike Ellis. “Us coaches and parents really tried to rally them and told them they had one more game to win the championship and to dust it off. I tried to use the loss as motivation. We told them that they don’t want to feel this way after Game 3. They seemed to be a bit better after the talk.”
They certainly were, bouncing back to defeat Norwell, 16-3, and capture the state title.
“I always tell the team how proud I am of them. This team was put together six weeks ago. Some of the players know each other, but they’ve never really played together. We had about five practices before our first district game,” Ellis said. “Our first win was against Wyoma and I was really impressed with how they played as a team. Every single one of these girls truly bonded. If anyone watched this team for the first time, they’d think this team had been best friends for 10 years and had been playing together for years. That’s the most impressive thing about this group. They’re great kids and great teammates. Myself and the coaches only need to tell them things once for it to click.”
Entering districts, Ellis said not many people believed in the team. But with hard work and determination from his players, they’re now the best team in Massachusetts and will represent the Bay State in Maryland.
At the regional tournament, the Tanners will be one of eight state champions competing for a chance to advance even further. Ellis said reaching the tournament is a testament to the team’s resilience after being overlooked at the start of the summer.
“It’s a huge honor. A lot of people counted us out from the beginning. It’s an 11U tournament with mostly 10- and 11-year-olds. We also have a 9-year-old on the team because one girl dropped out. We continued to just work hard and not give up,” Ellis said. “The position we’re in today is because this team never gave up and fought for every out. Whenever they make a mistake, they’re quick to move on to the next play. We haven’t had many mental mistakes.”
Peabody will face teams from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Connecticut.
“Win or lose, I told the team to go out and have fun. It’s going to be a long week. We get down there Friday by 6 p.m. to have dinner with the other teams and their coaches,” Ellis said, “then, we have an opening ceremony at 9 a.m., then we play two games Saturday and two on Sunday, which will determine seeding. Then, the tournament starts Monday morning and it’s single elimination.”
Ellis has been stressing the importance of enjoying the moment.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play in a regional tournament like this. There are so many softball players out there — not just in Peabody, but across the state — who would kill to be in our position,” Ellis said. “We keep saying, this doesn’t happen every year.”
To donate and help the Tanners travel to Maryland, please visit:
https://my.cheddarup.com/c/help-the-11u-all-stars-get-to-
regionals/items
