Mother Nature was about the only thing that could slow down the Berkshire Force 10-and-under softball team this week.

 

The Force was delayed most of Saturday getting home from the Babe Ruth World Series in Jensen Beach, Fla. The lightning that held up the team's flight north prevented the planned proper escort back into Pittsfield. So that will wait for another day.

 

But waiting nothing new for this team.

 

Berkshire Friday won the championship game of the Diamond Bracket at the national championships, edging Levelland, Texas, 4-3, in a game that was delayed six hours -- and played on two different fields -- due to lightning and rain.

 

When it finally ended, game MVP A.J. Pelkey hit a walk-off double to center field to score Gionnah LeVardi in the seventh inning.

 

Mia DeJesus earned the win in the circle as the Force finished the week 6-3 against some of the top programs in the country.

 

Pelkey and Ella Stodden were awarded spots on the tournament's all-defensive team.

 

Grace Julieano also made her mark on defense, helping turn more double plays, six, than anyone else in the tournament.

 

Out of 13 teams in the 10-and-under division, the Berkshire Force had several players finish at or near the top of statistical categories.

 

Stodden finished first in home runs with two. Pelkey led the way in putouts with 62. Julieano was second in the tournament with 11 stolen bases.

 

Other members of the Force 10U team include: Madison Barber, Mariah Barnes, Jaezsa Bartolotta, Chelsea Capitanio, Kylie Duhamel, Evelyn Julieano, Grace Julieano, Lillian MacDonald, Izabela Miller and Gionnah LeVardi.

 

The Force 10U and 12U teams both competed in the Babe Ruth World Series this week thanks to their performances in the New England Regional on their home fields at the Doyle Complex earlier this summer.