The United States Virgin Islands Softball Federation took part in the inaugural One Caribbean Invitational Women’s Fast-Pitch Softball Tournament held in Nassau, Bahamas, Oct. 5 – 8.
The event was comprised of three local Bahamian teams, Sunshine Auto Wildcats, the Bommer G. Operators, and the University of the Bahamas Mingoes; two teams from Jamaica, the Jamaica Warrior Queens and the Jamaica Club Fusion; and the USVI Women’s National Softball Team.
The USVI opened the event with a 10-0 win over the Bahamas Mingoes. Taylor White led the Virgin Islands’ offensive attack with two hits and two runs batted in (RBI). Later that evening, the ladies of the Virgin Islands were back on the diamond for their clash with Jamaica Warrior Queens. Despite the late 10:00 p.m. start, the women of the V.I. pounded out 14 hits on their way to an 18-2 victory. Tyannah Lake and Kennedi Gaton both registered three hits and three RBIs. Roniece Pharaoh also recorded two hits with three RBIs.
The USVI bats were still red hot in their next contest as they manufactured 10 hits, producing 17 runs against Jamaica Club Fusion. White led the way once again with three hits and three RBIs. NaJah Gerrald and Shania Thomas knocked in three and two runs, respectively. Less than three hours after the conclusion of that game, USVI played their closest game of the tournament. The Bahamas Sunshine Auto Wildcats pitcher cooled down the V.I. bats, but the Virgin Islands still prevailed, winning the game 7-4.
The final day of the event saw the USVI playing the same team twice. At the time of their first encounter, both teams sported unblemished 4-0 tournament records. USVI pitching held the Bahamas Bommer Operators to one hit, while the Virgin Islands garnered seven on their way to an 11-1 win. The rematch later that evening for all the marbles wasn’t much different. Dontaysha Gobourne struck out 11 and earned the victory as the United States Virgin Islands Women’s Softball defeated Bahamas Bommer Operators 9-0 to claim the One Caribbean Invitational Women’s Fast-Pitch Softball Tournament Championship.
Gobourne earned the Championship MVP Award. Kenya Pereira was named the Top Tournament Pitcher.
