Mets no-hit D'Backs in BVI softball junior league opener
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TORTOLA - Before rains came and wiped out the second game, the Mets overhauled the Diamondbacks, 15-13, in the BVI Softball Association Junior. League opener at the Old Recreation Grounds on Tortola.
The Mets exploded for an eight-run fifth inning to erase a five-run deficit, then held on to defeat the Diamondbacks. Although the Diamondbacks did not have a hit, their offense benefited from the Mets giving out 10 walks and five errors.
The Mets had 15 runs, eight hits, five errors and left four runners on base. The Diamondbacks had 13 runs, no hits, five errors committed and stranded two runners. Annecha Graham got the victory in relief of Shaika Jeffers. Lakeisha Claxton, who pitched a complete game for the Diamondbacks, took the loss.
The Mets' Jeffers and Chavique Barzey, each had two hits, three runs batted in and two runs scored.
Rains wiped out the game between defending champion Padres and the Jays in the top of the second inning with the Jays leading 6-5. This game will be replayed in its entirety today.
League coordinator Jurine George said the league, which ends before the Men and Women's fast-pitch league opens on March 24, has also attracted four men's teams.
"The youths are very excited about the league, particularly since we have a slate of tournaments coming up between now and 2014," she said. "They pretty much have a lot to be excited about in terms of traveling and representing the BVI, as well as staying at home for tournaments."
Among the challenges the league faces is funding, getting gear and team uniforms, George said. She said that water for the players is something they need, especially since many games are to be played during the day. Games will be played on Fridays, Saturdays and possibly on Sundays.
Huggins and Alexander lead 200-meter victories in Gatorade Development meet
Nelda Huggins and J'Maal Alexander added to their 100-meter triumphs when the Gatorade Development Series began on Jan. 14 with convincing 200-meter victories, highlighting the second races of the series on Saturday.
Huggins, the co-Sol BVI 2011 Youth Athlete of The Year, showed her current form and separated herself from the strong Under-17 Girls 200-meter field to win in 25.01 seconds into a -1.0 mps headwind. The 2011 Carifta Games 100-meter bronze medalist was followed by her co-Sol BVI Youth Athlete of the Year counterpart Tarika Moses, who covered the half-lap in 25.38 seconds. Moses had also won the 800 meters in her last outing.
Alexander, in his final year of Under-20 Boys Class competition after claiming double sprint national junior records last year, opened his 200-meter season with the second fastest time of his career and his fastest on home soil when he ran 21.89 with a +1.3 tailwind. Shaquoy Stephens followed with a personal best of 22.19.
Z'Niah Corea pulled off an Under-13 Girls long jump 800-meter double with a leap of 4 meters and an unchallenged run of 3:11.83.
Khiry Creque also ran an unchallenged 800-meter personal best of 2 minutes and 00.67 seconds.
The next race in the series is scheduled for Feb. 11. Beginning with that meet, all participating athletes will pay $1 to compete.
Top BVI athletes continue to run well indoors
The territory's top athletes continued their indoor season of improvement and consistency last weekend.
Morgan State University junior Britney Wattley joined Karene King, Chantel Malone, Ashley Kelly and Tahesia Harrigan-Scott as BVI women running the 200 meters in the 24-second range indoors, when she finished third at the Spire Collegiate Invitational in Geneva, Ohio, last weekend with a time of 24.69 seconds. That time qualified her for the IC4A/ECAC Championships in a second event. Wattley was also third in the 60-meter dash in 7.65 seconds.
King was second in the Huskies Invitational 200 meters in 24.50 seconds. She won her 60-meter heat in 7.72 seconds to place eighth overall. Teammate Dominique Maloney finished in 25.28 for fifth overall after a first-place finish in her heat. Her 400-meter time of 57.51 seconds after winning her section placed her in sixth place overall.
Illinois senior Kelly made her 400-meter debut at the Mark Colligan Memorial Invitational in Nebraska with a time of 55.05 seconds and finished second overall to one of her Illini teammates.
In Texas, Malone won her heat and settled for third overall in the Texas A&M Challenge Women's Olympic Development 400 meters with a time of 54.39 seconds, improving on her 55.45-second season debut.
In New York, Harrigan-Scott was fourth in the 50-meter sprint of the U.S. Open in 6.25 seconds. Harrigan-Scott, who will compete in Europe as she tunes up for the 15th IAAF World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey, opened her season with a winning time of 6.76 seconds in 55 meters in the Gator Invitational in Florida.
BVIAA to commemorate 40-year affiliation to IAAF
As the International Association of Athletics Federation celebrates its 100-year anniversary (1912-2012) the BVI Athletics Association is seeking past photos to mark its 40th anniversary of IAAF affiliation.
The BVI Athletics Association, which was formed in September 1970, became affiliated to the IAAF in March 1972, paving the way for the territory's athletes to compete in the Central American and Caribbean Championships, as well as other regional and international competitions.
The association is planning a display at the Government's Central Administration Complex in March, reflecting on its past through the present. Following the display in the Administration Complex, it will move to A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds.
The BVI Athletics Association is seeking delegation photos and action shots from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s from athletes who have competed in the Carifta Games, CAC Age Group Championships, CAC Junior Championships, CAC Games, IAAF World Junior Championships and other competitions. All photos received will be returned to their respective owners. The deadline for receipt of photos is Feb. 15. Photos can be emailed to bviathletics@gmail.com. They can also be tagged on the BVI Athletics Association's Facebook page or by calling 284-541-3545.
The BVI's first international competition was the 1975 CAC Championships in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Unbeaten Islanders crush Ball Stars 14-0 in BVI Soccer
Naldo Anderson and Henroy Mitchell scored four goals respectively, as the unbeaten, league-leading Islanders crushed the Ball Stars, 14-0, the highest score in the BVI Football Association National League play this season - topping the Lucian Stars' 12-1 rout of Old Madrid last week.
Anderson had scores in the 6th, 30th, 65th and 75th minutes, while Mitchell connected in the 15th, 38th, 45th and 90th. Other scorers were: Aaron Bascombe (44th, 87th), Shane Henry (50th), Raymond Cummings (68th, 70th) and Monty Butler (80th).
Colin Green had two goals (83rd, 90th) in leading One Love past the Panthers, 3-0. Richard Morgan (38th) was the other scorer.
The Sugar Boys had three different scorers during a 5-1 triumph over Old Madrid. Derral Redhead scored two of the goals (10th, 90th). Everton Perriera (40th), Terince Baptiste (58th) and Micheal Castello (74th) also added to the scoring. Dion Clarke (25th) was Old Madrid's lone scorer.
- Dean Greenaway is a Daily News correspondent based on Tortola.
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