Quay All-Stars to hit regionals

For the first time since 1957, a Quay County All-Stars team will compete in the Little League regional tournament.

The Quay intermediate All-Star team advanced to regional after they defeated the West Mesa All-Stars 24-10 Sunday during the state tournament in Albuquerque.

"Everyone is excited about winning the state tournament and advancing to regional," said Billy Burns, QC head coach.

Burns said the Quay All-Stars (18-0) performed well during the state tournament.

The Quay All-Stars beat the Lobos 14-0 on Friday, West Mesa 7-0 on Saturday and West Mesa again on Sunday for the championship.

Burns said during the second game against West Mesa, the Quay All-Stars had to match, then exceed their opponents' offensive production.

"It was a great tournament, the guys got some great experience and showed a lot of heart," Burns said.

This is the first intermediate Quay County All-Stars team in the county's history to win the state tournament and advance to regional, which will be held July 20-25 in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Burns said the bracket has not been released yet and the team does not know who they will face. He said for now the team continues to practice on areas where they need to improve in order play the best baseball they can.

This is the second time in the county's history an All-Star team will compete at regionals.

In 1957 the 13-year old Quay County Little League All-Stars lost 1-0 in extra innings to La Mesa, California All-Stars in San Francisco, California.

The 1957 All-stars advanced to regionals after upsetting the defending 1956 Little League World Series Champion Lions Hondo team of Roswell. The Lions Hondo little league team defeated the Delaware Township little league from New Jersey to win the title.

The 1957 All-stars advanced to the state tournament championship after beating Las Vegas 25-2 and the Clovis Nationals 10-4 at Clovis.

All-Star lineup

Head Coach Billy Burns

Assistant Coach Rick Ragland

17. Deakin Ragland

24. Billy Otero

31. Brock Burns

32. Andres Jimenz

42. Skyler DeLuca

45. Dennis Birch

47. Park Strong

49. Nathan Turner

52. Jaulyn Price

54. Matt Cruz

55. AJ Gonzalez

1957 Quay County Little League All-Star state champions roster:

Dan Apodaca

Dewayne Lee

Keith Mote

Johnny Hall

Mike Cure

Harold Hardesty

Roy Diaz

Mathildo Martinez

Billy Cates

Johnny Faith

David Martinez

Dale Neese

Chuck Edwards

Juan Lopez