Update: The softball schedule has changed and the baseball schedule has been released since this was first published Nov. 9. The calendar at the end reflects these changes.
Three games took center stage over the weekend in RBI Junior Softball League play* and three teams – Ain’t No Vibe, Good Vibes and All The Way — came away with wins.
Ain’t No Vibes 11 – All The Way 9
Ain’t No Vibes used an early lead and seven All The Way errors to propel them to a 11-9 victory in the RBI Softball Junior League game on Friday.
Ain’t No Vibes jumped out early, scoring five runs in the second and adding on three more in the third en route to an 8-1 lead. After going quietly in the opening frame, Ain’t No Vibes Shaquilla Lewis got things going with a single early in the second inning. Later that inning, Jamia Cochrane and Alahya Jackson came up with RBIs as Cochrane legged out an infield hit followed by Jackson’s solid drive into right field for a double. In the third, Amyia Greaves drew a bases-loaded walk to drive home Leah George for Ain’t No Vibes. Lead-off batter Cochrane was next up and she put a charge into the ball that went between the wicks of All The Way shortstop Sapphire Cruz, scoring Greaves and Lewis. Down seven runs, All The Way did not throw in the towel, plating four runs in the bottom of the third inning. Cruz, Jahniya Williams, Brecia Gumbs and Samaya Cruz all registered RBIs in the inning without the benefit of a hit.
In the fourth inning, four All The Way errors resulted in two more runs for Ain’t No Vibes. In the bottom of that frame, Rashell Machuca lead off the inning with a double. Five of the next six batters were rewarded first base after being struck by errant pitches, helping All The Way limp to within two runs of the lead. However, that was as close as they would get as Ain’t No Vibes held on for a 11-9 victory.
Good Vibes 10 – Going Places 8
The second inning vibes were very good for the home team as Good Vibes used a seven-point second frame to secure a two-point win over Going Place at the DC Canegata Ballpark on Friday.
The score was tied at three going into the bottom of the second when Good Vibes Nyajah Allahar and Allysa Brady drew walks to lead off the inning. Jahnya Allahar was then hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Mikaila Rodgers then stroked a 3-1 offering right back up the middle into center field scoring N. Allahar and Brady. The next batter was the always dangerous Aleah Mann and she showed why she is the fourth bat in the line up as she cleaned up the bases with a shot of her own to center field, plating J. Allahar and Rodgers. Those were the only two hits produced by Good Vibes all game.
Going Places mounted a serious comeback, trimming a seven-point margin down to just two. But Good Vibes pitcher N. Allahar struck out Rashani Sackey to end the game.
N. Allahar pitched the entire game for Good Vibes, striking out four while only allowing three hits. Kaylee Corinco got the loss for Going Places.
All The Way 18 – Ain’t No Vibes 7:
All The Way’s Mekaela Richardson did not have her “A” game on Saturday evening but she gritted her way to a complete game win over Ain’t No Vibes at the Joseph Aubain Ballpark.
Richardson struck out three but issued six free passes and allowed four hits in her teams convincing 18-7 victory over Ain’t No Vibes in the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation’s RBI Softball League game. All The Way bats were rejuvenated as the team manufactured 10 hits in the game. Samaya Cruz led the offensive attack going 3-of-3 at the plate. Lead off batter Rashell Machuca also collected three hits in her five plate appearances. Joeneah Clendinen hit a single to right field going 1-of-2 for All The Way.
Ain’t No Vibes was led by Yemeli Rodriguez, who went 2-of-2 for the night. Shakevia Greaves and Jayla Smith each had one hit for Ain’t No Vibes.
After the weekend’s play, the league standings for the RBI Softball League are:
Going Places, 8 – 3
Ain’t No Vibes, 5 – 5
All The Way, 5 -5
Good Vibes 3 – 8
*RBI stands for Reviving Baseball in Inner City. It is an outreach program created by Major League Baseball, sponsored in the territory by the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation to create a love for the game of baseball and use that to foster the value of teamwork, working hard to achieve their goals, academic excellence and community service.
The Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation RBI Softball League has a few more scheduled games. This weekend, the two teams from St Thomas, Ain’t No Vibes and All The Way, will travel to St Croix to play Going Places and Good Vibes for the final inter-island contests. All games will be played at the DC Canegata Ballpark.
Friday, Nov. 12, 6 p.m. – Going Places vs Ain’t No Vibes
Friday, Nov. 12, 8:15 p.m. – Good Vibes vs All The Way
Saturday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m. – Going Places vs All The Way
Saturday, Nov. 13, 12:15 p.m. – Good Vibes vs Ain’t No Vibes
Saturday, Nov. 13, 2:30 p.m. – Ain’t No Vibes vs Going Places
Saturday, Nov. 13, 4:45 p.m. – All The Way vs Good Vibes
Sunday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. – All The Way vs Going Places
The Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation RBI Junior Baseball League is going in to its final few weekends of games. This weekend the two teams from St. Croix, Saints and Respect, will travel to St. Thomas to play Dream Chasers, Truce and Integrity for the final inter-island contests.
Friday, Nov. 12, 3 p.m. – Respect vs Integrity – Lionel Roberts Stadium
Friday, Nov. 12, 3 p.m. – Saints vs Dream Chasers – Kirwan Terrace Ballpark
Saturday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m. – Truce vs Saints – Lionel Roberts Stadium
Saturday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m. – Respect vs Dream Chasers – Kirwan Terrace Ballpark
Saturday, Nov. 13, 1:15 p.m. – Respect vs Truce – Lionel Roberts Stadium
Saturday, Nov. 13, 1:15 p.m. – Saints vs Integrity – Kirwan Terrace Ballpark
