Diamondback Nike RBI team completes perfect season
The Diamondbacks Nike RBI team went 10-0 in tournament play in route to their championship win
"I think this is gonna be our year, to be honest," said shortstop Julio Reana.
Sure enough, the Kofa graduate was right.
Reana is one of five ball players representing Yuma County on the Diamondback Nike RBI team.
Whether they won or lost the championship game, the experience was unforgettable for both Coach James Kuzniak and the athletes.
"They're all kids and they're all baseball players and we all have the same goal," said Kuzniak. "It's a great place to be. You're surrounded and immersed with baseball, and it's just an awesome experience."
Not only was it an incredible experience on the field, it was also an amazing time to bond, especially for all the players from Yuma County who showed out on the field.
Eli Lujan from Yuma High School made a spectacular play at third base to save a run against Puerto Rico. On that same play, San Luis' Carlos Gonzalez also helped save the season with an incredible scoop.
Catcher Cesar Chavira, another San Luis product, had an outstanding play behind the plate, with a back pick to throw out a runner at third, ending late rally during the tournament.
Another sidewinder, Juan Pablo Chavez has been lights out on the mound. In one game, he threw 5 2/3 innings for a single hit and nine strikeouts.
Finally, Julio Reana drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 14th inning in the semifinals, sending the Snakes to the RBI World Series Championship.
With all the success they have had, the local kids haven't forgotten their roots.
"I know that not everybody can have this opportunity, and I'm just so grateful that we are able to represent Yuma," Gonzales said.
The players aren't the only members of the Diamondback Nike RBI team proud to represent Yuma.
"It just means the world to me to come from Yuma and to be a guy that played high school there and played Juco there, and now to see these guys get this opportunity, it's amazing."
Whether they're in Seattle, Florida or Yuma County, these boys are making their hometown proud.
