- November 23, 2024
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Back: Gabriella Salgado, Ashley Sampselle and Sadie Schell. Front: Jamie Hill and Emily Warren. (Not pictured: Allie Adams) Photo by Ray Boone
William Warren can clearly recall his first year serving as vice president of Palm Coast Little League softball. With two years in the league already under his belt, he had just taken over for former vice president Mike Ledrich.
There was a lot of adversity.
There was a dire need for pitching, and many of the girls struggled to play together.
But he had a vision. He saw a bright future for Palm Coast Little League softball, and he knew there was a way to attain it.
He had to get the community’s kids interested in playing, keep them playing and help facilitate a positive atmosphere.
“There was a lot of practice,” Warren said, “a lot of lost family time, a lot of recruiting.”
There weren’t a lot of expectations entering year two. But there was a difference in how well the girls were playing, especially in Warren’s 10-and-under All-Star team, which was fueled by a small group of girls “so good that they could carry the rest of the team.”
That team breezed through the district tournament and went on to become sectional champions, becoming the first Palm Coast Little League softball team to qualify for the state tournament.
“When we went to sectionals, we were a dominant team for once,” Warren said. “We were meant to be there. It was almost magical — if you want to call it that.”
The girls, six of whom moved onto the 11-and-under squad, entered the 2019 All-Star season with confidence, aided by the fact that there was no offseason for them anymore. They now played softball year round, mostly for the Flagler Bandits travel ball team.
Jay Sampselle, who has been involved with Palm Coast Little League for six years, was named head coach of the 11U team after the end of the regular season. Mark Adams, an assistant on last year’s 10U team, was made assistant again.
Despite hours of rain and lightning delays, Palm Coast beat Hilliard 18-5 June 29 in Port St. Johns. The girls then faced Port St. Johns. Catcher Sadie Schell scooped up a ball from behind home plate and rifled it to shortstop Allie Adams to tag a runner out at second to give Palm Coast a 22-3 win.
The girls shouted in triumph, digging ice-cold water bottles out of their cooler to douse their head coach in sweet, sweet victory.
Pitcher Ashley Sampselle, catcher Emily Warren, pitcher/ third baseman Jamie Hill, second baseman Gabriella Salgado, Schell and Adams — all on last year’s 10U team — would be making the trip to states for a second year in a row.
“It’s a testament to the community,” Mark Adams said. “We get a lot of parents who come out to help.”
“It’s a labor of love for us parents,” Jay Sampselle added.
Palm Coast opened the state tournament with an impressive 5-inning, 24-14 win over Naples’ Golden Gate on July 6 in St. Petersburg. However, they were bounced from the event after being run-ruled 23-1 by Windermere, the eventual state champion.
The girls were still grateful for the experience, though, and for how far they and their league have come in the past few years.
“I think we’re building a reputation,” Schell said. “We’re making our little league proud one step at a time.”
The 11U team’s success has seemed to inspire nearby teams. Palm Coast’s junior softball team qualified for states for the first time in program history this season.
“I think the other girls realized they have to up their game if they want to have success,” Warren said. “They’re all great softball players. They want to play at the next level. It’s not just a few girls. It’s a team. And they want to do it together."
