County Recognizes Softball Squad

County Recognizes Softball Squad
Members and coaches of the Berlin Little League junior league softball team are pictured after being honored by the Worcester County Commissioners in Snow Hill. Submitted Photo

SNOW HILL – Local officials recognized the success of the Berlin Little League girls’ junior league softball team with a commendation this week.

On Tuesday, the Worcester County Commissioners presented the team with a commendation in honor of its state championship win in July. The team is the first since Berlin Little League started its softball program seven years ago to win a state title.

“It says a lot for the county when our young people put in the dedication,” said Commissioner Diana Purnell.

In early July, the Berlin Little League girls’ junior league softball team swept three games to win the Maryland state championship in its division. The team bested Calvert Little League, Tri-County Little League and Elkton to claim the state title.

Purnell praised the girls for their dedication.

“You guys put in the work and you listened to your coaches,” she said. “You followed through, you learned discipline and you go and you make us so very proud. It’s a wonderful thing.”

Coach Stan Griffin told the commissioners every girl on the team had played a role in winning the Maryland District 8 championship. He said the program had come a long way since Berlin Little League started offering softball just seven years ago and that this group of girls had accomplished something special.

“There will be others that will follow you but there will never be another first…,” he said. “There will never be another first state championship team for Berlin softball. We’ve had our ups and downs but in the end they did it.”

Nornie Bunting, president of Berlin Little League, agreed that bringing home Berlin Little League’s first state softball title was quite an accomplishment.

“It was great to follow you guys and cheer you on,” he said. “I know you didn’t get the TV coverage that our other team got but this town, this community, this county was all behind you and cheering for you.”

Players recognized included Sarah Smith, Chloe Candeloro, Jenna Danner, Morgan Sullivan, Harleigh Donaway, Skylar Griffin, Zoe Rayne, Lexi Mumford, Sydney Taylor, Emily Sandt, Amaya Dischinger, Abigail Clarke, Kiara Taylor and Abby Wesche.

About The Author: Charlene Sharpe

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Charlene Sharpe has been with The Dispatch since 2014. A graduate of Stephen Decatur High School and the University of Richmond, she spent seven years with the Delmarva Media Group before joining the team at The Dispatch.