DGAL hits a Halloween home run
Kylie Pestana runs for second base. during a softball game on Saturday, Oct. 18. Photos by Abby Van Selous
Vienna Iria runs for third base.
Kylie Pestana keeps her eye on home plate.
Skyler Benjamin looks for home plate. 
Alivia Wenson swings the bat.
Khloe Tripp on the pitching mound. Source: Karen Marie Watson
The 14U team dressed as characters from Despicable Me for Halloween on Saturday, Oct. 18. Source: Karen Marie Watson
The 14U team with the trophies they won on Sunday, Oct. 19. Source: Karen Marie Watson
Kylie Pestana runs for second base. during a softball game on Saturday, Oct. 18. Photos by Abby Van Selous
Vienna Iria runs for third base.
Kylie Pestana keeps her eye on home plate.
Skyler Benjamin looks for home plate.
Alivia Wenson swings the bat.
Khloe Tripp on the pitching mound. Source: Karen Marie Watson
The 14U team dressed as characters from Despicable Me for Halloween on Saturday, Oct. 18. Source: Karen Marie Watson
The 14U team with the trophies they won on Sunday, Oct. 19. Source: Karen Marie Watson
Dartmouth Girl’s Athletic League had their first fall tournament that started off with a costume day, with the teams going as Skittles, minions and “6-7.”
The league’s Fall Tournament went from Saturday, Oct. 18 to Sunday, Oct 19.
Typically, the softball season ends in the summer, but the league wanted to continue the fun into fall, before it moves inside for the winter.
Both the coaches and kids say the goal is to develop into better players.
“My goal is to get better with everything all around and make more connections on the team and just get ready for the next tournament,” said Adley Espinola, 13.
Both Espinola and Rebecca Watson, 13, agree that the best part of DGAL and softball is the friendships made on the teams. They said that regardless of which team someone is on, everyone is friends and watches each other’s games.
“I like all the connections that we’re able to make with our friends and I like how we always improve with each other,” said Watson. “We grow with each other.”
The team, for the main part, has been together since the third grade. With high school approaching, the kids’ league careers are coming to an end.
“Since we’re in eighth grade, we all want to go play high school softball,” said Watson.
There are challenges the teams face; the coaches both said scheduling is the hardest part, as the girls join many sports and clubs. The girls feel that keeping their heads in the game can be a challenge.
“Biggest challenge is probably when we get out of focus and our team kind of divides, and we just need to make sure that we focus, because when we do our team does really good,” said Espinola.
The three travel teams defeated the competition on Saturday to move onto the finals on Sunday. The 14U Dartmouth Dynamites finished second in the 14U division, the 12U Dartmouth Dynamites White were semi finalists and the 12U Dartmouth Dynamites Green won the 12U division championship.
