JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The San Mateo Little League senior softball and baseball teams made history by advancing to the Little League Regional Tournaments.
The senior softball team has had five total state appearances, two state titles, and is now making its second trip to the Little League Regional Tournament.
The baseball team has made two state appearances, won its first-ever state title, and earned its first-ever spot in the Senior Baseball Regional Tournament.
This is the first time in SMLL history that both a softball and baseball team will compete in their regional tournaments in the same season.
Each team is now one step away from qualifying for the Little League Senior World Series.
“This is a very big accomplishment for everybody, and just the fact that we could have all done this together makes it so amazing,” Adilyn Crawford, softball player, said.
“I hope they want it as bad as me, and I let them know stuff like that, and I hope they want to win as bad,” Brogan Tanner, another player, said.
It all started when the teams won at state. The video below shows the final play that secured the baseball team’s spot in the regionals.
It’s been a celebration ever since, especially for the coaches, who couldn’t be prouder.
“It’s very hard to win a state championship in the state of Florida and luckily the girls behind me have done it twice, and these boys have done it for the first time so that’s just an awesome thing,” Jason Edmonds, the softball coach, said.
“I just want to say heroes get remembered, but legends never die. Never die,” Mike Haynes, the baseball coach, said.
With these wins, the true message here is community support, and you can be a part of that, even if it’s something as simple as sharing a hashtag.
The two big ones are #sanmateostrong and #lastride
The second hashtag means this is bittersweet to some. Once players reach a certain age, they are no longer eligible to play.
“A lot of the team is going to be leaving, so I want to go win and I want them to experience us win,” Tanner said.
No matter what happens at regionals, the teams know their community is always proud.
“We have probably the best group of people behind us, and they cheer us on for everything. They’re all so supportive and just amazing,” Crawford said.
Haynes said that the baseball team is ready.
“We’re well prepared, so we’re gonna go give it all we got,” Haynes said.
Support on the field and support at home prove that San Mateo has its own Field of Dreams.
“This is a once-in-a-generation achievement,” Rachel Simmons, President of the San Mateo Little League, said. “It’s a testament to our incredible coaches, dedicated players, and the supportive families and community that surround them.”
The SMLL was founded in 1967. Click here to help the team pay for hotels and travel as they represent Duval.
