Levittown softball team heads to series

World Series, here they come.

The Levittown Slammers girls softball team, composed of players from five Nassau County high schools, is on its way to the Babe Ruth League World Series in Lamar, Colo.

The Slammers advanced to the 16-and-under World Series by defeating Hoboken, N.J., 10-4, last Wednesday in the Middle Atlantic regional final. The squad is the first Long Island girls team to qualify for the World Series, said New York State Babe Ruth commissioner John Pine.

"It's awesome, it really is," said Slammers second baseman Meghan Acton of Levittown. "It's a dream come true."

The team plays its first game Saturday against the Colorado state champion. The Slammers are one of 10 teams -- eight regional winners plus the host state's champion and a team from the host town -- competing for the national title. There are just under 2,000 teams nationwide in the Babe Ruth 16-and-under age group, including just over 300 teams in New York, said Steve Tellefsen, Babe Ruth League national president and chief executive.

"That's a huge accomplishment," Tellefsen said. "The biggest thing is these teams have to earn their way. In other leagues, teams may pay a fee and get automatic entrance to the final tournament. Here they play local, state and regional tournaments before they even get to the World Series."

The Slammers play 60 to 70 games year-round, mostly tournaments in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The World Series format begins with a four-day pool play competition. Teams are then seeded into a double-elimination tournament, with the finals set for Aug. 13.

"It's a really good feeling. I knew this was our chance," said Shamar Sanchez, of Levittown, who had four hits and scored three runs in the win over Hoboken. "We all did what we had to do."

Alannah Basile and Toniann Pasqueralle, both of Levittown, led the Slammers in the Middle Atlantic tourney with .667 batting averages. Pitcher Ashley Massoni of Wantagh was 3-0 with 18 strikeouts.

"We are proud of ourselves for making it this far after three years," team captain Sabrina Gordek said. "No matter where we place, we are proud to have made it this far."

The Babe Ruth League pays for air travel for the players and coaches, so the Slammers have been holding fundraisers to cover hotel and other expenses.

Team manager Mike Gordek, Sabrina's father and also coach of the St. Dominic varsity softball team, said the World Series should be an invaluable opportunity for the girls to be scouted by West Coast college recruiters. But that is an ancillary benefit. After three years together, the Slammers are looking to end things in grand fashion.

"We figure now the competition will be fierce," he said. "I believe my girls are up to the challenge. Our expectation is to win it all."

With Laura Albanese