SAN DIEGO WRAP
On Sunday, SPY obtained scores from some teams for games played Saturday as well as Sunday; hence, we attempt to separate the two days in what we will call the wrap.
Add Saturday Scores
Corona Angels Phil 2, So Cal Athletics 1
Corona Angels Phil 5, AZ Hotshots Newman 4
Corona Angels Phil 8, Minors Gold 2
Teamsmith 6, Mizuno All American Gold 1
Teamsmith 4, So Cal Pumas 3
Nemesis 4, Teamsmith 2
Mizuno Pride 10, CA Annex Fastpitch 0
Mizuno Pride 3, Mizuno All American Gold 3
American Athletics 2, AZ Scottsdale Storm 1
So Cal Xplosion 8, Scottsdale Storm 3
SD Power Surge Fred 8, Scottsdale Storm 0
Fresno Force 8, CA Flames 3
Fresno Force 13, 3rd Degree 0
Fresno Force 6, Surefire 2
Sliderz 5 - Corona Express Gold 0
So Cal Athletics 10, SD County Breakers 0. (correction on which Breakers team)
Irvine Sting 7 vs. CT. Panthers
Gold 0
Irvine Sting 2 vs. Cal Lite 3
Irvine Sting 2 vs. Corona Angels (Marty) 1 (WP Jasmin Harrell-'09)
SD Legacy 4, American Pastime 3
AZ Storm Beach 5, American Pastime Gold 3
American Pastime Gold 5, Case
Batbusters 3
TNL 3, Sorcerer 2
Sorcerer 12, SJ Lady Sharks Piper 1
Sorcerer 13, Fillys Gold 1
So Cal Athletics 6, Jets 5 (revised from Saturday report)
Add Saturday Game Notes
Worth Firecrackers 9, So Cal Diamonds Gold 2. Allee Allen (Oklahoma) struck out the first nine batters, the last on one of the best changeups we saw all weekend. The Firecrackers were up 2-0 on rbi by Ashley Hansen (Stanford) and Koria Perelini (08), when they loaded the bases in the 2nd. Hansen drove in two runs; Perelini drove in two more runs for a 6-0 lead. An rbi by Dana Perez (an excellent 09 outfielder who is also a star basketball player) boosted the lead to 7-0 in the next inning. Perelini’s 2-run home run (and fifth rbi) closed out Firecracker scoring. The Diamonds got into the game in the top of the 4th. After a pitching change, Laura King (08) beat out an infield hit; Caylin Campbell (2010) walked and both scored.
Irvine Sting 7 vs. CT.
Panthers Gold 0. The temperature dropped
with the setting sun but that didn’t both 09 pitcher Jasmin Harrell who pitched
a no-hitter for four innings until relieved by Alexandra Frediani (2010).
SD Renegades Tom 7, NJ Intensity 6. Jessica Owens, Ashley Estepa, Alyssa Dronenburg, and Jazmin Daigle all scored for Renegades in the top of the 1st for a 4-0 lead for pitcher Jessica Owens. Intensity rallied and held a 6-5 lead, thanks to Kaitlyn Piazzolla’s 3-run homer. Andrea Salazar jacked a 2-run HR.to decide the game. Melissa Schwartz started for Intensity. The six NJ runs were charged to reliever Rebecca Bliss.
Strike Zone Ford 3, Renegades Fox 0. Neither team had a roster in the College Coaches guide. Strike Zone #28 scored the first run on a catcher error on her steal, and in the 4th #14 doubled home two runs. SPY note: Strike Zone presented us with a new helmet; needed given the foul balls flying around Kit Carson complex. Thank you.
So Cal Sliderz 5, SD County Breakers Hill 0. Kellie Caplan (Boise State) belted a 2-run homer in the 3rd. Elizabeth Tsipouras, Krista Cobb (5 Ks) and Logan Kinsey shared pitching duties for Sliderz.
AZ Hotshots Newman 6, So Cal Breakers 1. The Hotshots broke the game open with 5 runs in the 5th.
Worth Firecrackers 4. CA Cruisers 1. One of the best games of the weekend featuring two teams who are expected to compete strongly for Gold in 2008. Rebecca Patton took the mound for the Firecrackers; Jenna Rich for Cruisers. Observers were treated to a display of stout defense on both sides. In the 2nd, Melanie Fagely (FSU) led off with a single; pinch runner Gina Grijalva (2010) scored on a triple by Michelle Takeda (Maryland) for a 1-0 Cruiser lead. Speedy Jamia Reid (Cal) singled with two out in the 3rd and scored on a single by Ashley Hansen (Stanford). After Patton, who toiled last year for Doug Myers 16U Batbusters, struck out the side in the 3rd, Cruisers loaded the bases in the 4th but Patton struck out the last two batters of the inning. Now, Firecrackers loaded the bases and scored three runs. Ashley Hansen and Koria Perelini had single rbi’s in the inning.
CA Cruisers 1, Desert Thunder 0. A very good game as far as it went; the games were supposed to have a time limit of 90 minutes but this game was delayed by a dispute between the two umpires and tournament management; resulting in a 69 minute game. The game pitted two lefties – Cece Luster for Cruisers (a 2010 who has one of the best turn-around moves throwing to 1st we’ve seen this year) vs Meghan McIntosh (Wisconsin). Jenna Rich belted a triple+error to score the game’s only run. Trista Thomas, one of the better pitchers in the tournament, starred in the outfield for Thunder in this game, diving to catch a dying liner. Both sides shut down attempted rallies; eg, Alexa Straton doubled with one out for thunder in the 3rd but was forced on a fielder’s choice. Cruisers had two on after Rich’s “homer” but couldn’t score again. The good news was that Kenzie Fowler, recuperating from intensive surgery, played 1st and batted.
Corona Angels Phil 2, So Cal Athletics 1. Start of a very good weekend for these Corona Angels, who won all five games.
Corona Angels Phil 5, AZ Hotshots Newman 4. Tiffany Corder had the game winning hit.
Fresno Force 8, CA Flames 3 WP Shelby Alsup
Fresno Force 13, 3rd Degree 0. WP Shelby Alsup
Fresno Force 6, Surefire 2. WP Leesa Gresham
So Cal Athletics 10, SD County Breakers 0. Carly Hummel (09) pitched the shutout. The A’s scored 6 runs in the 4th, including a 3-run triple by Adrienne Monka.
NorCal Shockers 2, Arizona Lil Saints 1
Winning Pitcher - Kylie Day (2010, uncommitted)
Kelly Sarginson (1B, 2008, Loyola Marymount) 1 for 2, RBI
Erin Jones (3B, 2009, uncommitted) 1 for 2, RBI
NorCal Shockers 9, SoCal Spoilers 6
Winning Pitcher (in relief) - Sarah Neuhaus, (2008, unsigned)
Ashley Sanchez (CF, 2008, Oregon State) 2 for 3, 2 HR, 4 RBI
Kim Westlund (SS, 2010, uncommitted) 2 for 3, 2 RBI, SB
Shelby Asbury (C, 2010, uncommitted) 2 for 3, 2 RBI
NorCal Shockers 5, Las Vegas Rage 5
Tia Wunder (OF, 2009, uncommitted) 2 for 2, 2 RBI
Ashley Sponsler (3B, 2008, unsigned) 2 for 2, 2 RBI
So Cal Athletics 6, Jets Gold 5. The team were tied 3-3 when the A’s scored 3 runs in the 4th. The Jets came back with two runs.
Worth Firecrackers 4, AZ Desert Thunder 2. With the game tied 2-2, Jamia Reid (Cal) sped home on a passed ball and Ashley Hansen scored on an error at 1st.
Shilos 4, Breeze 3. Ashley Pulido and Lauren Tuey pitched for Shilos, who scored 1 in the 1st, 2 in the 2nd, and 1 in the 3rd, but nearly came undone when Breeze uncorked a 3-run homer.
Corona Angels Marty 4, SD County Breakers Hill 1. The Angels pitched Jessica Hall, a 2010 lefty, vs Corie Goodman, later relieved by Kaitlin Healy. The Angels loaded the bases in the bottom of the 1st, Kelley Wedel (Illinois) singled in 2010 Destinee Martinez and ultra speedster Bathinia Bates (UCLA). Kristin May (09) singled in the final two runs, all in the 1st. Wedel was outstanding at 3rd. The Breakers closed to 4-1 when Desiree Beltran (Sac State) tripled and scored on a passed ball. We were impressed by Breakers catcher Taylor Hensley (USD) on her throw downs and when she picked a pinch runner with the bases loaded.
Sunday Scores
Corona Angels Phil 6, So Cal Jets Gold 4
Corona Angels Phil 12, So Cal Breakers 2
Mizuno Pride 3, Teamsmith 1
Teamsmith 1, CA Flames 0
Nemesis 2, Mizuno Pride 1
Sorcerer 18, WA Bellevue Blast 1
Sorcerer 5, CA Thunder Gold 0
Irvine Sting 2 vs. SD Breakers 2
Irvine Sting 0 vs. Sliderz 3
American Pastime Gold 2, Running Rebels Bob 0
American Pastime Gold 4, AZ Scottsdale Storm 0
Valley Breeze 10, Strike Zone Ford 4
CA Thunder Gold Val 5, Valley Breeze 2
CA Thunder Gold Val 6, CA Shilos 0
SD Renegades Fox 4, Firecrackers Dan 3
Shilos 3, Strike Zone Ford 2
Shilos 4, Firecrackers Dan 2
AZ Desert Thunder 11, NJ Intensity 6
AZ Desert Thunder 12, So Cal Diamonds Gold 3
AZ Desert Thunder 3, SD Renegades Tom 1
Nor Cal Spoilers 9, Grapettes 3
Worth Firecrackers 4, NJ Intensity 1
Worth Firecrackers 9, SD Renegades Tom 2
Fresno Force 8, Nor Cal Shockers 4
Fresno Force 7, L’il Saints 0
Sunday Game Notes
AZ Desert Thunder 11, NJ Intensity 6. This game could have major implications for the 2008 Gold season because it marked the return of Kenzie Fowler to the Thunder circle. Recovering from the very serious surgery last summer which kept her off the Junior World team, Kenzie has been used sparingly at 1st base, but Lance decided to give her an inning or two. Kenzie said she was nervous after not pitching so long, but an observer said he clocked her at 63 mph; nice comeback. Trista Thomas pitched very good game but Intensity took advantage of five fielding errors in inning to mount the scoreboard. The other implication is for Territory 1 Gold; Intensity has several very talented players but has struggled through two tournaments in a row, on at least two occasions losing late leads. BTW, Trista Thomas, an excellent 09 pitching prospect, also excels in the outfield, covering a lot of ground and diving for liners which would have dropped in for hits.
Worth Firecrackers 4, NJ Intensity 1. The defending national Gold champion, the Firecrackers do not intend to use any returning college players in 2008. They have a solid mound corps with Lisa Akamine, Ensley Gammel, Rebecca Patton, and Allee Allen; we saw all except Gammel at San Diego and they were in top form. Patton pitched the complete game. Intensity pitched Brittany O’Donnell (Notre Dame) and Cara Stecher.
Worth Firecrackers 9, Renegades 2. The Firecrackers closed out the tournament 5-0 with this win, which gave observers one more chance to observe the Oklahoma Sooners pitching duo of the future – pitcher Allee Allen and catcher Jessica Shults. Allen was on target all weekend, and Shults command of the game is such that Tony Rico lets her call the pitches.
Sorcerer 18, Bellevue Blast 1. Sorcerer was up 6-0 in bottom 2nd. With the bases loaded, no outs, Alex Robben (Cal) jacked a grand slam homer to the 275-300 foot adult fence (would have definitely gone over at 220), which keyed a 12 run inning. Corrine Stillman and Stacey Hagensen pitched for Blast. Throughout the tournament, Sorcerer rotated a trio of pitchers: Hannah Williams (Fresno State); Michelle Gascoigne (Oklahoma) and Sammi Albanese. Against Blast, Williams gave up the run; Albanese relieved. In Saturday games, Hannah gave up 2 runs in 6 innings; Michelle 0 runs in 6 innings; and Sammi 2 runs in 6 innings.
Sorcerer 5, CA Thunder Gold 0. Sammi Albanese and Michelle Gascoigne shared pitching for Sorcerer.
NorCal Shockers 6, Northwest Extreme 5
Winning Pitcher - Caitlin Brooks, (2011, uncommitted)
Fachon Jones (OF, 2008, Central Florida) 2 for 3, double, 3 RBI)
Christie Taylor (C, 2009, uncommitted), 2 for 3, RBI
NorCal Shockers 4, Fresno Force 7
Chelsey Carlay (OF, 2009, uncommitted) 2 for 2, SB
For the weekend:
Ashley Sanchez, 7 for 9, 2 HR, 6 RBI
Erin Jones, 6 for 8, 3 RBI
Kelly Sarginson, 5 for 10, SF, 4 RBI
Kim Westlund, 4 for 9, BB, 2 SB
American Pastime Gold 2, Running Rebels Bob 0. Pastime has three very credible pitchers so Larry Farnsworth splits games in exposure tournaments. In this game Maggie Karos (08) started and Mia Pagano finished. The third of the flinging Pagano sisters is a different pitcher than Tiffany (a heavy, down ball) and Bridget (rise); Mia (09) mostly works down and has an effective change. Andrea Lutz pitched for the Rebels.
American Pastime Gold 4, AZ Scottsdale Storm 0. Jessica English (09) started for Pastime; Mia Pagano finished. Up 2-0, Jessica Garcia (New Mexico) drove in Brittany Grier (2010). Natalie Ysais (Middle Tennessee) drove in Lexi Anderson (ASU) with the final run. Katelyn Mann (09) was impressive at shortstop for Pastime, and played 3rd to let another player Mara Rodriguez (09) get exposure at short.
Valley Breeze 10, Strike Zone Ford 4 Strike Zone was up 4-1 when Breeze racked a 4-run inning to take the lead for good.
CA Thunder Gold Val 5, Valley Breeze 2. Kate Jablonski (09) was effective in both games we saw, and Thunder was one of the better teams. Thunder loaded the bases in the first inning we saw when Amber Lopez (08) beat out a hit. Tarra Smith (08) hit into a fielder’s choice to out a runner at home, but, Yvette Bravo (08) cracked a bases-clearing 3-run double; she was out trying to stretch a triple. In the next inning, Amanda Perez (signed) doubled and scored on a triple by Tara Woodall (09), who scored on a single by Alyssa Ramirez (09). Breeze: Carmen Gurrola started and was relieved by Jenna Foster; Kayla Dahlerbruch and Stephanie Watts had rbi.
Shilos 3, Strike Zone Ford 2. Kelli Killingsworth (09) pitched the victory, which was decided by Lauren Tuey (08) who jacked a 3-run home run.
Shilos 4, Firecrackers Dan 2. Ashley Pulido (2010) for Shilos, Julianne Martinez (09) started for Firecrackers, until relieved by Syvannah Kooyman (09). Shilos loaded the bases in the top of the 1st but Martinez nailed a K for the third out. Shilos loaded the bases in the 2nd, with one out. Michelle Zakosek (08) banged a 3-run triple to left, and Cesley Tafoya (08) drilled an rbi single to right.
CA Thunder Gold Val 6, CA Shilos 0. The teams were undefeated when they met on Sunday. Unfortunately, after this game, the Shilos Kim Johnston informed SPY that the team was folding. Roni Alvarado (08) started for Thunder; Lauren Tuey for Shilos. Tuey 08 had been so impressive in earlier games, in the circle and at bat (big homer), but didn’t have it in this game. Thunder scored an unearned run in the 2nd, Tarra Smith 08 drove in a run with a sac fly to right. Then Thunder drove home 4 runs. Ashley Pulido (2010) finished the game for Shilos. (Tuey is looking at some smaller D1 schools; SPY thinks she can go higher, and has solid academics)
AZ Desert Thunder 3, SD Renegades Tom 1. Rachel Brown (08) started for Renegades, Gabby Luciani for Thunder. Renegades drew first blood with a solid HR by Cami Correa (08). After tying 1-1, Thunder loaded the bases; Alexa Straton had an rbi, Shannel Blackshear scoring on the error at 3rd. Megan Downey scored on Marlina Delisa’s grounder to 3rd, which was also misplayed. Kenzie Fowler pitched the final inning, walking a batter but inducing the final out on a grounder back to the circle.
AZ Desert Thunder 12, So Cal Diamonds Gold 3. Very solid performance by pitcher Meghan McIntosh. Diamonds’ Sabrina Ferguson had 3 rbi. We had expected to see Diamonds ace Julia Rice (Purdue) but she told us afterward she has a sore shoulder.
SD Renegades Fox 4, Firecrackers Dan 3. The Renegades fought back from a 3-0 deficit in the 1st. The Firecrackers gave Heather Schwartzburg that early lead, with Nicole Ontiveros and Jacqueline Rostow scoring on Katie Muscente’s hit. Rachel Miller followed with an rbi. We were impressed with new Firecracker Rachel Meyer (2010) at 3rd. The Renegade rally started with a single to right by Maggie Doremus (09), who scored on a deep triple by Kellie Fox (09) who scored on a passed ball. Another singled by Lauren Gellerman (09) brought Crystal Hernandez (Akron) to the Firecrackers circle. A pinch runner was nailed 2-6 to end the inning. A potential tying run in the next inning was snuffed at home, and another runner went down 2-5, but, with two on, Amanda Ziegler (08) scored the tying run on a passed ball. The Renegades scored the go-ahead run in the final inning.
Nor Cal Spoilers 9, Grapettes 3. Not sure we’ve got the final score correct. The first time we saw the game on our “rounds” the Spoilers were up 5-0. Courtney Hommerding (08) had scored on a passed ball. Sara Holdridge (09) belted a 3-run triple, and pitcher Amanda Jauregul (08) followed with an rbi triple. The Grapettes were down 9-1 when Alexa Rivera singled home two runs.
Fresno Force 7, L’il Saints 0. A tour de force for middle infielder Vanessa Perez (08) who had a home run, triple, and two singles. Shelby Alsup pitched the shutout.
Teamsmith 1, CA Flames 0. The Flames held them close this game but Teamsmith impressed with their power. Several players on the weekend had inside the park homers, given the 300 foot fences, but Nalani St Germain (vs Mizuno Pride), Kendall Gorhman (vs Pumas) and, in this game, Brittany Hubbard crushed homers which cleared the 300 foot fences.
Sliderz 3, Irvine Sting 0. Last game Sunday night with fans huddled in blankets. Elizabeth Tsipouras pitched for SliderZ, Alexandra Frediani started for Sting until relieved by Jasmin Harrell. Kellie Caplan scored the first run on an rbi by Colleen Nilles. The Sliderz scored two more in the 2nd. Andrena Calix singled and Deidre Jeppson walked. Tawny Reeger singled to load the bases. Two runs scored when Tori Chiodo’s fielder’s choice grounder was misplayed. Tsipouras (Sacred Heart) later tripled but did not score. Logan Kinsey pitched the final inning for Sliderz. This may be the best team Ron DePompa has assembled, and they are attracting attention, with players committed to Wichita State, Boise State (2), UCSB (2), Marshall, Kenyon and Sacred Heart.
Note: in trying to scout as many as four games at a time, SPY relies on uniform numbers, then spends hours with rosters and coaches guides to translate into names. The problem lies with travel ball coaches; they should have had rosters for this tournament when it was originally scheduled for November – and handouts for the college coaches. Several did not which creates confusion for college recruiters.
Notwithstanding the cold, SPY received several favorable comments about the overall conduct of the tournament, a lot of hard work by Andy Anderson and volunteers. Andy hosted a rather scrumptious lunch for college coaches. The umpiring, with a couple of exceptions, was favorably reviewed. Indeed, if there was a drawback, it was the 300 foot fences; but all teams faced that challenge. Good job, Andy.
As always, a tip of the Spyglass to team scorekeepers who volunteer critical data.
None of the many college coaches in attendance openly favor NFCA's four week fall recruiting window, and some of the smaller schools deeply resent the NCAA decision -- once again leaving travel ball coaches to wonder just which colleges did promote this proposal, for which NFCA leadership is not inclined to seek immediate remedy.
Return trip was a bit of a nuisance. The 835pm flight was delayed, so I caught the 11pm flight; sorry sad sack across the aisle kept his light on the whole trip while he worked on the computer, and the couple behind me not only watched the movie but commented on it. The temperature was down to 24 degrees at 7am. Reached home to learn that some yoyo attempted to break in at 4am, setting off an alarm which woke up the neighborhood and brought the police with enough flashing lights to stage a Broadway show. No entry.
Had a bit of a problem late Saturday when blood sugar spiked to 350 for some damned fool reason, and I left the tournament during the 6pm games. Emailed the doctors and am returning to Johns Hopkins tomorrow. They wanted me to come in direct from the airport but I needed some sleep. Not sure they know all the side effects of what they are prescribing; swelling in legs and feet is painful. Much appreciate the advice of so many softball people who have suffered through diabetes. RFH