RISING STARS DAY TWO

 

Thanks to the beneficence of 15 lighted fields and some of the quickest, most impressive ground crew work seen in years, the 2003 Rising Stars tournament weathered multiple rain delays, including one afternoon deluge which soaked players and fans as well as leaving standing water on several fields, and completed Saturday’s 150-game schedule.

 

True to the spirit of exposure tournaments, most coaches, even those in close games, used their committed veterans sparingly to give maximum opportunity for the hundreds of college coaches to evaluate their 2004 and 2005 talent.

 

Thus, it is more speculative than usual to project probable winners game to game, given the variable lineups.  But, the games do help make a “winter book” in which to measure a team’s depth come next season.  In that regard, a number of youngsters, notably including some 2006 and 2007 players have probably earned starting spots for next season, based on their play here.

 

Various Games

Fall exposure tournaments always give us a chance to see new talent who have moved up to the Gold and 18A level, and also to see some really young players who are proving that they can play at the top level.  The 1-0 victory by Tampa Mustangs Blue over the Miami Stingrays provided both.  Unsigned senior Sarah Drew, who pitches in the low to mide-60s, and uses both a high-drop and low rise as alternatives to her fast ball, held the Stingrays to two hits.  She was aided significantly by one of the best outfield plays we’ve seen this weekend: Melissa Moore rapped a sinking liner toward right field but a speeding, diving Anne Pilger caught the ball just above her shoelaces.  Pilger, who also is an impressive young pitcher, is 14.  Erica Demers pitched for the Stingrays.  Tampa scored after an error at shortstop, and a double by Brittany Villa.

 

FL Lady Gators Gold beat Indiana Magic Gold 8-0, but tied CA American Athletics Gold (Thomas) 2-2.  Ashley Baker pitched the latter game for the Gators.  Amber Johnson pitched the Gators’ win over Hudson Valley Express.

 

Team New Jersey , which defeated Indian River Community College late Friday, behind Alison Frankewicz, defeated FL Power 1-0 on Saturday.  Jennifer Nelson pitched for FL Power.  TNJ, behind Rachel Wiggins, tied Phoenix Storm Gold 1-1.

 

Canada ’s Port Perry Angels defeated Tampa Mustangs White 2-0.

 

Palm Beach Community College defeated Beach Girls 4-2.  The New Yorkers turned around and defeated AZ Roadrunners 8-0.  Palm Beach then edged the Roadrunners 3-0 on a 2-run double hit by former CA Batbuster Shaun Corso, who also had an outstanding day at 1st base.  In the same game, T.J. Eadus, who informed SPY she had turned down two full rides, showed her versatility, playing 2nd with skill (she also catches) and belting a double for the losing side.  We have long admired the work of Corso and Eadus but another Roadrunner should be getting more attention: shortstop Valerie Villela.  Roadrunner pitcher Jessica Lowry got no help from her offense.  They loaded the bases twice, once in the 1st, and once in the last frame, when a diving catch by PBCC outfielder Shasta Placensia nailed the third out.

 

Houston Power Gold defeated WA Spirit Gold 3-0. 

 

FL Quicksilver 1, Washington Heat 0.  Jordan Keen, who pitched for Canada in last week’s ISF Junior Women’s World Championship, had 11 Ks.

 

Shamrocks defeated FL High Intensity 1-0 on a 2-hitter by Jenny Clohan, who had 7 Ks.  The Shamrocks were tied 1-1 by Gulf Coast Hurricanes.  (note: the Shamrock score against Texas Magic Gold was 4-1, not 5-1).  When we left the game against the Minnesota Irish, the Shamrocks were leading 6-0. 

 

Shamrocks 16-U lost 3-0 to the 16-U Power but defeated Jacksonville Storm 9-2, and also defeated the Contenders.

 

OH Tiger Lillies defeated Tampa Mustangs White 3-2.

 

Two arch-rivals entertained the late night crowd: Melissa Pena of the Mini Canes and Lindsey Littlejohn of Florida A.  When they were relieved after four innings, there was no score.  Pena had 6 Ks, Littlejohn 7 Ks.

 

Virginia Legends, who defeated Tallahassee Bullets 5-2 and Ohio Ice 12-2 had to come from behind to salvage a 1-1 tie with Gold Coast Hurricanes.  Unsigned senior Amber Straube had 6 Ks to offset a good effort by the Hurricanes Jennifer Roveto.  We were particularly impressed with the Legends 1st baseman, Amanda Edwards, a very athletic fielder whose stretches and reaches turned some bad throws into outs.

 

End

 Conclusion Sunday

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