Cafaro Foundation awards $10,000 to Steel Valley All Stars softball team
There are only ten teams in the entire world that make it to play in the Junior League Softball World Series every year, and one Mahoning Valley team showed they’re some of the best young athletes in the world.
Meet the Steel Valley All Stars, finalists in this year’s Junior League Softball World Series, and manager Jeremy Mollenkoph.
This Steel Valley All Stars softball team consists of players from Poland, Canfield, Boardman and Struthers between 13 and 14 years old. They’re one of six U.S. teams who made it to the World Series.
“How many young people can say they competed in the World Series? Not just attended, but competed,” said Joe Bell, director of corporate communications.
The Cafaro Foundation awarded the Steel Valley All Stars a $10,000 donation and celebrated their season’s success with a champion’s rally on Friday at noon in the middle of the Eastwood Mall in Niles.
“We had no clue the donation would be that large, that’s the biggest donation we’ve ever received and we are so thankful,” said Mollenkoph.
The team became America’s Central Region Champions before heading to the Junior League Softball World Series.
The Steel Valley All Stars made it to the championship game of the World Series in Kirkland, Wash., but fell short of defeating the Czech Republic-based team this summer.
“This group was a special group,” said Mollenkoph. “In the month we were together, [we played] throughout states, regionals and the Junior League Softball World Series. We were the youngest team in the tournament and walked away the best 14u team in the U.S.”
Mollenkoph shared that during their 14 games playing together, the team won 12 games.
He said the team showed up at the plate with a .350 batting average, as well as pitchers coming in clutch with 168 strikeouts.
It was especially fun for Mollenkoph to experience the World Series with his daughter on the team, Milana Mollenkoph.
“I’ve been coaching my daughter for six or seven years now, and she’s a hard worker,” said Mollenkoph. “Thank you for this moment, I’ll never forget this and I hope you don’t either. I wish you the best in your careers in softball.”
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