The ADSL Ravens won the 2022 U18 Softball Mayor’s Cup last Sunday (July 17) at Carter Playground in the South End, in a dramatic final match-up between two Dorchester teams that was as hot as the weather.
The Ravens got to the championship by grinding out wins over two days in the double-elimination tournament put on by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. On Saturday, they defeated East Boston by scoring three runs in the last inning for an 11-10 walk-off win in their first game.
They immediately had to turn it around to take on the Dorchester Red Sox. In a game that was tied, 11-11, going into the last inning, the Ravens scored six times in the top half before holding the Red Sox scoreless to win 17-11, earning themselves a trip to the championship tilt.
When the Dorchester Red Sox defeated Parkway on Sunday morning to come out of the loser’s bracket, that set up a re-match and an all-Dorchester final, with the Ravens having to win one of the two games on Sunday afternoon to claim the trophy.
After dropping game one, 20-15, the Ravens re-grouped and took game two and the championship with a 9-4 victory that was incredibly high energy, despite the brutal heat and humidity. Enthusiastic fans made for an electric atmosphere and high-caliber softball.
Lola Roberts and Tyler Borges shared pitching duties over both games, with Nia Buyu and Phoebe Le-Ngo taking turns behind the plate throughout the tournament.
Spectacular outfield plays were made by Meredith Bultmeyer, Maddy Roberts, Nicole Rivera, and Kilani Kahrim, and the infield was airtight thanks to Ruby Gold, Clare Ablett, Danarria Daughtry, and Marin Beem.
Ann Walsh is an ADSL coach.
