The Tribune

By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE fifth edition of the I-BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) The Show: All-Star Survival concluded with three division champions crowned following the event which was held from June 25 to July 2.

It was the first time the programme had three different division winners for the 13 and under (13U), 16 and under (16U), and 19 and under (19U) age groups.

The first-time champions for the inaugural 13U division were Team Leukemia/Epilepsy.

The away team Child Abuse/Lupus took home the championship hardware for 16U division. Additionally, the 19U division winners were Team Dwarfism/Endometriosis. The event not only featured the best softball players in the island nation but also brought awareness to social issues and illnesses found not only locally, but also worldwide.

13 and under (13U)

Team Leukemia/Epilepsy were the first-time winners for the 13 and under division after defeating the Autism/SIDS softball team.

The game was the first of the day at the Junior Baseball League of Nassau (JBLN) Field of Dreams Complex at St Andrew’s School in Nassau East.

Leukemia/Epilepsy wrapped up their competitors 15-9. The team’s comfortable lead remained unthreatened leading up to the final inning of the game.

The 13 and under Most Valuable Player (MVP) honours went to Grand Bahama’s Jamiah Thompson. She earned the award after amassing a total of four hits, six runs scored and three stolen bases.

The game’s Most Defensive Player was Abaco’s Lashawnya Forbes. She made two hits, scored one run and stole two bases.

Oscar Greene, head coach of Team Leukemia/Epilepsy, talked about the team’s latest accomplishment.

“We are thrilled about it. We are glad that Dachye Stubbs and organisers at I-BAP were able to introduce a 13 and under division to the All-Star Show so we were fully on board from the jump and excited to come. It feels good to take home the trophy,” Greene said.

16 and under (16U)

Team Child Abuse/Lupus secured a comfortable win after taking down Gender Based Violence/Breast Cancer 17-3 in their match this past Sunday.

The first inning of the game opened with a 3-2 score following a home run by Team Gender Based Violence/Breast Cancer in the first inning. By the fourth inning of the game, the score went up to 11-3 favouring the winning team.

MVP honours went to Nikeisha Saunders. She scored a total of five hits, one run and one stolen base.

The 16U Most Defensive Player was Pasha Johnson with three hits, four runs scored, and three stolen bases in the championship game.

Shane Albury, head coach of Team Child Abuse/Lupus, said it felt great to be a champion regardless of the age bracket.

He said he was confident in his team and the calibre of players that they have and it would have been disappointing to lose but was happy with his team’s execution. Overall, Albury felt that the weekend and tournament was good.

19 and under (19U)

In the final game of the day and All-Star tournament, Team Dwarfism/Endometriosis held off Team Diabetes/Mental Health to narrowly win 7-6.

The game went right down to the final play for both teams.

Team Diabetes/Mental Health had climbed their way back from a 4-6 hole in the game however, they were unable to get over the hump.

The 19U MVP honours went to Grand Bahama’s Kenya Forbes. She wrapped up with four hits, four runs scored and three stolen bases. The Most Defensive player for the 19U division went to Apryl Davis.

Shaunte Curtis, head coach of Team Dwarfism/Endometriosis, talked about her team narrowly escaping with the championship win.

“It was a battle, we came out here saying that we were not going to count anybody out, we were undefeated in round robin play so we knew that everybody was coming for us but we wanted to remain settled and composed… we are happy. I am excited and it feels good to come away with the win.” Curtis said.

The I-BAP sports programme is a part of the International Sports Academy which helps athletes to receive sports contracts and collegiate scholarships as well as financial aid.