(Sacramento/Elk Grove, CA) – Over the holiday weekend, Sacramento/Elk Grove California was the place to be as fastpitch teams from across the state took to the fields and brought the heat to the Easter Saturday – Sacramento/Elk Grove tournament. Fastpitch squads in the 14U, 12U, and 10U put on an exciting display of power, fundamentals, good sportsmanship, and overall great competitive softball, and we are breaking down each division and how it all went down.
In the 14U division, Cali Crew Fastpitch Quillin (Marysville, CA) brought the heat at the championship squad went an impressive 4-0 in tournament play. Cali Crew Fastpitch Quillin defeated CA Yard Sharks 05 – Ceo/Albin (7-5), and San Mateo Eagles 14U (12-1) in pool play before moving into bracket play. Once into bracket play, the squad continued putting up big numbers by defeating CA Breeze North State – Jeter (11-0), and runner-up, CA Yard Sharks 05 – Ceo/Albin (6-3) for the championship win.
Cali Crew Fastpitch Quillin is an impressive 9-1 in their last 10 games, and 19-6 in their last 25 games. The squad is on a seven game win streak and had two 1st place finishes back in the fall at both the [15 open] All Star Invitational (Sacramento, CA) (5-1), and at the [15 open] Monster Mash (Sacramento/Elk Grove/Roseville) (6-0).
Managed by Kris Hill, the 14U championship squad includes, Karissa Coggins, Samantha Hull, Josie Lands, Gracie Lerossignol, Cali Niccum, Alyssa Pope, Liberty Quillin, Riley Wickum, Mia Chavez, Jenissa Conway, Olivia Robles, Hayley Green, and Kentalia Smith.
Taking home the 1st place championship hardware in the 12U division, was CA Breeze ’06 (Sacramento, CA). The team went 4-0 in tournament play, and collectively put 30 runs on the board while a solid defensive game allowed just six runs against. In pool play, CA Breeze ’06 defeated Game Day Blueford (4-3), and Clovis Rockets Rodriugez (6-1). Once into bracket play, the momentum continued as CA Breeze ’06 defeated 12U CA Breeze Northstate Hombuckle (12-2) and Game Day – Blueford (8-2).
Managed by Christina Guerrera, CA Breeze ’06 consists of, Angelina Barros, Olivia Bauer, Marley Escobar, Francesca Guerrera, Kira Mashburn, Jessalyn Perez, Shaylea Sacay, Kayla Towne, Ruby Warren, Julia Medina, Faye Hernandez, Natalie Vigil, and Kendall Baumgartner.
Rounding out the 10U division of play, Foothill Gold – Williams (El Dorado Hills, CA) went 4-0 in tournament play, and collectively produced 52 offensive runs while allowing just 9 runs against.
In pool play, the squad defeated Panthers 10U(B) Cagiga 12-1, and Tracy United (17-1) before advancing to bracket play. Once there, the team continued to put on a stellar performance and defeated Tracy United (10-4), and runner-up, Panthers 10U (B) Cagiga (13-3) for the 1st place finish.
Offensive highlights for Foothill Gold – Williams included five of the girls hitting over .700 in tournament play. Jillian Todd put up a .750 batting average with three hits and three walks. Niyah Brown produced six hits and drew a walk, while also driving in five RBI. Phoebe Ossola successfully had three hits and four RBI, while Ava Williams produced five hits, three walks, two doubles, and 4 RBI. The top of the lineup, Ossola, Emily Morris, and Williams got work done on the basepath, as the trio scored a combined 22 runs over the course of four games.
On the mound, the pitching squad went to work. Morris produced 18 strikeouts, four walks, and one earned run over the course of 8.1 innings pitched. Imogen Ivangkeo put 20 strikeouts in the books, and gave up just five walks and two earned runs over 7.2 innings of work.
Head coach, Evan Williams gave his take on the overall tournament, his team’s success, and what’s next for Foothill Gold – Williams.
“Foothill Gold Williams finished the month of March winning 13 of our last 15 games (17-6 overall) and taking home the USSSA Easter Saturday Gold Bracket Championship! We built a whole new team from scratch starting in November 2017 and couldn't have scripted our first tournament month of 2018 any better. We liked the idea of getting in a few extra games in the one-day format on Easter weekend. We are always excited to compete!
As the head coach of Foothill Gold Williams, our goal each and every weekend is to have fun, give it our best effort from start to finish, improve every time we step on the field, be a good teammate and have a good attitude. Our ultimate goal is to win the Gold Bracket Championship every tournament that we participate in. We believe we are good enough to compete with anyone!
Since we started building this team in November of 2017, we have consistently talked to our girls about the culture we are trying to create at Foothill Gold Williams. Because we have a group of new players, one of our strongest points is the idea of "TEAM". Together Everybody Achieves More! Individually, we all have talent. In order to win, we have to work together as a team. Support each other, cheer each other up when we strikeout or make an error and get right back up after making a mistake and continue to cheer on your teammates.”
Up next for Foothill Gold – Williams includes, the USSSA Queen of the Hill tournament this weekend, where head coach Williams says his team is, “Ready to battle for the gold bracket championship.” The squad also has their sights set on the USSSA Crazy Socks tournament in May at Big League Dreams, and in June at Nationals in Reno, NV.
The championship squad includes, Emily Morris, Riley Berryman, Ava Williams, Madisyn Farnham, Niyah Brown, Imogen Luangkeo, Zoey Grosso, Jillian Todd, Phoebe Ossola, Amber Chewey, Melanie Stephens, and Lucia Catarinha.
Written by: Erika Yackulic
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