(YYL) Fans packed the sidelines on Father’s Day to see a very evenly matched Sapphire Wealth Advisory Athletics host the Camp Shalom Cubs in YYL’s junior girls (JG) championship game. One game separated all the teams in the JG standings and each semifinal game was won by a single run (the Cubs in walkoff fashion, the As via a game-ending play at the plate).  So this was any team’s game.

The As kicked off the scoring in the first inning with a two-run home run from Esti Schwarz, with Lielle Schnall knocking in another two. Alexis Koslowe of the Cubs led the bottom of the inning off with a bang—a solo home run to get the Cub’s offense started. The As’ Esther Berman made an unassisted double play at second, but the second home run in the inning by Micella Strauss ended the first in a 4-4 tie.

After the Cubs finished their at bat in the second with an RBI single from Kayla Benedict to take an 8-6 lead, the As poured it on, scoring four runs in each of the third, fourth and fifth innings thanks in part to a two-run home run from Esther Berman and smart base running. Fine play by Leora Wilens at first base and continued solid defense by Daniella Safran for the As managed to keep the Cubs in check (despite the three runs scored in the game by the focused Cub Cara Teicher). The As capped their scoring effort, in part thanks to the hitting of Emily Yedlin and Ayelet Leibowitz. The Cubs applied pressure with three runs and then loading the bases to bring the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the last inning, but Sapphire Wealth Advisory held, taking home the championship trophies from a 20-16 slugfest- all made even sweeter by the post-game ice cream for all.