Sydney Supple, pitcher/first baseman for the Beverly Bandits Conroy writes about her PGF Championship experience. Supple is a 2019 grad who verbaled to Northwestern University.

Three words come to my mind, "We did it." We, the Beverly Bandits were the last team standing out of 68 teams…deemed the PGF 16U Premier National Champions. I can't say that or even type that without getting the chills.



If you were watching that game, I'd like to tell you what it was like playing on the field under the lights. For seven innings, you have worked for that moment all year, that atmosphere is crazy knowing what is at stake. It's hard not to be caught up in the moment.  Our defense, which was rock solid all year. We didn't have our typical game. That includes me, who for one inning forgot how to catch a ball.

We had the lead for four innings. Then South Dakota Renegades, to whom I'd like to tip my visor off to for being the best team we played all week out in California, fought back and tied the game.  

Coming up to the plate in the top of the sixth, I thought only one thing "do this for your team." In this sport though you have to have a short memory, and I quickly forgot about any mistake, when I hit a double to the wall.

Standing on third base after a wild pitch, I was screaming and willing Nikki Cuchran to hit like she can and get me home. She hit a rope to center far enough so I could tag up and score to get the lead 3-2. Sliding into home popping up to see my teammates running out of the dugout cheering, I had no doubt in my mind this was our game. Fast forward to the bottom of the seventh still 3-2 Beverly Bandits, 2 outs.



Every person in the ball park was on their feet. I'll never forget the smile I shared with our second basemen this is it, one strike away from achieving all that we worked for. Turning my attention back to the mound I watched as Meghan Beaubien delivered the dirtiest change up, freezing the hitter. I didn't even wait to see the umpire ring her up. My glove was off flying high in the air. This was the moment I've been waiting for all year. I sprinted to the circle to be surrounded by my teammates. That moment was even better than I could've ever pictured. Hearing "We Are The Champions" play as you look into the eyes of the girls who stood by your side all year, there were a few tears of Joy!

Only one team ends the season with a win. This year it was the Beverly Bandits. This was the sweetest victory I've ever had. This Championship season will never be forgotten.

Now, I am off to the first practice of the new Bandit season, not even 48 hours since we won, to start working for a repeat!

Sydney Supple
Beverly Bandits Conroy