US Virgin Islands team makes improbable run at Nike RBI softball tournament

VERO BEACH, Fla. -- Even former adversaries joined in on the buoyant commotion that succeeded the final out of USVI Nike RBI’s 6-4 quarterfinal win over Braves RBI Softball 18U.

“USVI” signifies the tropical territory of the US Virgin Islands, which sent a driven group of girls to Vero Beach's Jackie Robinson Training Complex to compete for the Nike RBI Softball World Series title.

The Nike RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program has dedicated itself to providing access to baseball and softball for underserved youth since 1989. Each year, Nike RBI hosts regional tournaments for three separate playing divisions (Jr. Baseball, Sr. Baseball, Softball), with a chance for a world title at stake.

According to USVI head coach Elroy Hill, his team was not supposed to make the trip over Atlantic waters for the tournament’s finale. But a combination of grit and guts served as its jet fuel, making for a glorified underdog story so potent it tugged on its opponent’s heartstrings.

“It’s been unbelievable,” Hill exclaimed after the quarterfinal win.

Hill detailed the squad’s improbable path to Vero Beach, which included unexpected wins against renowned programs like the Dominican Republic and a pair of Puerto Rican powerhouses in Carolina and Aguadilla. The USVI’s Cinderella stretch culminated in a regional crown, with Alina “AJ” Muhammad leading the way in the pitcher’s circle.

The magic didn’t stop there.

The USVI girls kicked off their Vero Beach trip with an 11-7 win against the Braves’ troupe, before falling to Tigers RBI Softball 18U the next day. But with their backs against the wall in the double-elimination tournament, they grinded out two clutch wins against White Sox Nike RBI 18U and Atlanta to secure a spot in the semifinals.

The latter of the victories was as riveting as they come.

With her team up 2-1 over Atlanta in the top of the fifth, Muhammad extended its lead, showing her clutch gene with an RBI single. Isabella Viruet saw Muhammad’s single, and raised her a triple, sending a skyrocket screaming off the left-field wall to plate two. Alahya Jackson followed by slapping a single to right for USVI’s sixth run.

The rally -- and the resulting clamor that came with it – attracted the attention of Chicago and Astros Nike RBI 18U, who had just wrapped their game against each other on an adjacent field.

Atlanta ensured the new fans were treated with a twist after the eventful inning, and in the bottom of the seventh, nearly turned the game on its head with a rally of its own. It was quick pickings for Braves Softball RBI 18U to open the frame, as they drew within three, and planted a runner on second base with no outs.

But Hill called upon his ace to close the deal, and Muhammad put on her game face to net the all-important save.

Atlanta didn’t surrender without a fight, though, and with two outs, Braves Softball RBI 18U had a runner on second and the tying run at the plate, down 6-4.

Muhammad fell behind 2-0, but worked her way back into the count with a pair of deft pitches that painted each corner of the plate. Her next pitch missed just outside, but when her opponent showed bunt on the ensuing pitch, Muhammad kept her cool, coaxing a short pop-out in front of the circle.

That sent the traveling US Virgin Island fans into a frenzy, with Chicago and Houston players joining in the celebration.

“One thing about the Virgin Islands, they come,” Hill beamed, alluding to the unmistakable presence behind the team.

It was one that carried the heartbeat of 100,000-plus with every supportive shout.

That number includes USVI governor Albert Bryan Jr. who sent the team off with a heartfelt salutatory message that emphasized its lack of large funding, and dependence on drive and determination.

Hill echoed that, saying that the team’s biggest factor in its success was its players.

“The girls,” he stressed. “That’s it. They’re ready to go. It’s the teamwork. They [do everything] together. They sacrifice for each other. They enjoy being around each other. It’s what they do.”

The girls weren’t able to complete their hero’s journey the way they wanted to, falling to Roberto Clemente Nike RBI 18U in the semifinal round.

Still, they made it further than most expected them to, and for a program just beginning to make waves in the softball world, that’s more than they could have asked for.