Team Oranjestad began its campaign at the Pony League Pinto U8 tournament in Marion, Illinois, with a 6-3 victory over Team Crushers of the United States.
Head coach Daniel Fernandez said the players were nervous at the start of the game and needed some time to adjust to the weather. Once they settled in, however, they found their rhythm and took control of the game.
Throughout the matchup, Team Oranjestad focused on making defensive plays and scoring runs. Fernandez said the coaching staff remained calm and allowed the players to play with confidence.
Assistant coach Alvin Boekhoudt said the players quickly gained confidence once they became comfortable with the opposing pitching. The team responded with solid hitting, connecting on line drives and deep hits to build momentum.
The coaches said the team is ready to compete against any opponent in the Pony League tournament and is proud to represent Aruba. They also sent their greetings to everyone back home and said the team will continue giving its best in every game.
