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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesVIRGIN ISLANDERS ROCK 'EM IN MARYLAND

VIRGIN ISLANDERS ROCK 'EM IN MARYLAND

Special to the Source
It seems that when it comes to slow-pitch softball, the VI Posse Fall Softball Team decided not to "Sing It" but to "Bring It."
In what can only be described as an unprecedented show of courage and heart, the VI Posse rallied from a 17-to-7 deficit against the Flying Zucchinis in the bottom of the fifth inning of the championship game to win by a score of 24 – 21.
The VI Posse Fall Team comprises players who were born and raised in the Virgin Islands.
Winning the Rockville City (Maryland) championship requires taking three games against the top eight teams in a single elimination tournament.
The Posse quickly dispatched their first opponents in five innings, winning 20–7. The next round proved to be a little more challenging. After being down 9 to 5 in the fourth inning, the Posse players showed what they are made of and scored 15 runs in the next two innings, which included a 10-run fifth. The game ended in the sixth inning because of time limits, and the Posse walked away with a 24-to-22 win without having to hit in the bottom of the sixth.
The team then turned their attention to the Flying Zucchinis. Knowing the task ahead was not going to be an easy one, the Posse persevered even when things looked darkest.
When their backs seemed to be against the wall, the Posse nine showed what the "V" in VI stands for — Victory — by coming up with 15 runs in the bottom of the sixth. In fact, 12 of the 15 runs were scored with nobody out. The victory was especially rewarding since it came against the Posse's number-one rival, the Flying Zucchinis.
The Posse's fall softball team is a combined team that consists of players from the VI Posse, VI Rebels and VI Bandits teams, which play in the summer league in Prince George's County. This year's fall team was lead by player-coach Horace "Ace" Lewis, Jr.
"We are definitely the targets whenever or wherever we play," Lewis said. "All teams are gunning for us. The team has a lot of heart. We have scored over 39 runs in four innings before, so we can definitely hit.
"However, the team is the most comical bunch of players that I have been around," he said. "At times, even the umpires have to stop and laugh.
"We are definitely proud to represent the Virgin Islands. You can take an island man out of the islands, but you cannot change an island man. The mentality of a VI man is definitely deserving of scientific research. Trust me: there is never a dull moment."

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