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Palma Ceia Wins State Title

The Palma Ceia Little League Softball team won the 10- to 11-year-old division state championship.

Photo courtesy of Palma Ceia Little League 10- to 11-year-old team

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 30, 2008

PALMA CEIA - When the girls on the Palma Ceia Little League Softball team crafted a two-year plan after their 2006-07 season, winning the 2008 state championship was their first goal.

As of July 21, they can check that off their list, having won the 10- to 11-year-old division state championship with a 14-3 victory over Cape Coral at the tournament in Palm Bay.

"I told them if you dream about it and work hard, you can achieve it, and they did it," team manager Mike Valdes said. "No one could be prouder because I know how hard they all worked."

With the 11-girl team effort, Valdes attributed the success to the hitting.

"We absolutely crushed the ball," he said. "We hit well and hard and often."

Several standouts included Caitelin Herrera's over-the-fence home run ("It wasn't cheap. It was a bomb," said Valdes. "It wasn't even close."), and Katie Weachter's "acrobatic, diving catches in center field that you rarely see at this age.

"Every kid did something great. Every player contributed," Valdes said. "It was truly a team effort."

For Katie, 12, her nervous stomach ceased once Caitelin hit the home run.

"That just fired us all up," said Katie, who plays centerfield and pitcher. When the team won, she said she felt really happy and started crying.

On break until August, the team is looking forward to the second year of its two-year plan. It includes winning the 11- to 12-year-old division state championship and advancing to nationals, which will be televised on ESPN.

"It will take a lot of work and a lot of practice, working hard on everything," Katie said.

"We think we have a great shot at it," Valdes said. "It's a sacrifice, but they love each other. It's 11 hearts but one heartbeat."

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 259-7661 or jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com.

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