This deep in the waters of summer competition, the 16u Louisville Lady Sluggers barely have their feet wet.
Stocked with talent but a bit unsure of how to deploy it all, the team has played together on just four occasions so far in 2017, and head coach Josh Bloomer is busily trying to get the roster in sync. It’s a tough task, hoping to learn on the fly during the TC/USA Nationals, but the Lady Sluggers certainly fulfilled expectations Monday with two shutout wins at Southeast Metropolitan Park. “We start so much later in Kentucky than a lot of these teams; going into today we’ve played 14 games together,” said Bloomer, whose team rang up wins of 3-0 versus Texas Glory-Naudin and 10-0 against the Texas Bombers 16u Futures. “We had moments where we were really good (at the recent TC Sparkler/Fireworks in Colorado), and in reality had two innings that weren’t good. It’s about figuring things out – all these kids come from high school programs where they’re the best players on their team, and sometimes you can get away with things there you can’t get away with at this level.” In Game 2 on Monday, the Lady Sluggers jumped ahead with four runs in the first inning, keyed by an RBI triple from Bailey Woodward, and finished the debate with a five-run fifth inning, highlighted by Princess Valencia’s two-run home run to left field. Pitchers Lexi Ray (three innings) and Kennedy Sullivan (two innings) combined to allow three hits and a walk; Kennedy struck out four batters. Monday’s games are about setting the table for the rest of the event, which draws many of the strongest programs in the nation, and getting a sense of the weather and competitive demands that lay ahead. So even if the results at Sparkler/Fireworks were a bit uneven, the team has reason to believe it can speed up on the learning curve. “We wanted to come back in this tournament and make a name for Kentucky. We know we can play with any team,” said Allie Skaggs, who had three hits, two stolen bases, two runs and an RBI in that all-important role as No. 3 hitter in the order. “The weight of the whole game isn’t just on me; I have my teammates behind me. But I have stepped up, though – it’s an important role, and if you’re going to hit there, you have to make things happen and get runs in.” “This boosts our confidence; we were not really nervous, but doing our best to prepare. To get these two wins helps our mindset for the rest of the week,” said Sullivan, who added three hits, including a two-run double in the fifth. “I had a rough week (batting), and coach Bloomer has been helping me with corrections. He really preaches, get on time with the ball and have the best swing. I’ve been working on (using) my legs more, and that’s what happened on that last swing, made the adjustments.” The only threat the Bombers made came early, getting two infield singles with one out in the first inning, but Ray responded with a strikeout and popout to shortstop. Taryn Weddle added a double and an RBI for the Lady Sluggers, who will start the event in earnest Tuesday against Texas Glory-Adkins at Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park. “There’s no intimidation – we feel like we can play with anybody, but we recognize you have to play a solid seven innings at an event like this,” Bloomer added. “We’re deep in the circle; we play an aggressive style on offense. If we can avoid (opponents getting) that crooked number, we feel like we have a good shot in any game.” Tags: Fastpitch, Softball, Triple Crown Fastpitch As tensions build toward the end of TC/USA Nationals next week in Austin, Texas, the finals of both the 16u Open and 18u Gold divisions are sure to bring the tournament to a dramatic conclusion. For those unable to attend the championship matchups at Concordia University of Texas, Triple Crown Sports has partnered with ESPN3 to bring you the contests live.
Texas native Brett Dolan will have the call alongside Amanda Freed Katchka. The 16 Open championship is slated for a 3:30 p.m. CT first pitch. Last year in New York City, the Louisville Stunners 99 knocked off the Firecrackers-Lutterloh, 6-3. Watch the 2017 16u Championship HERE (3:30 p.m. CT) In the 18u Gold a year ago, the Texas Blaze Gold-Slimp navigated through a difficult list of teams, including two of the top 10 18u clubs in the nation in Firecrackers-Rico and Texas Sudden Impact Gold-Dutton. A 5-3 margin in the final against Louisville Lady Sluggers gave the Blaze the 2016 title. The 2017 title game is set for 6 p.m. CT. Watch the 2017 18u Gold Championship HERE (6 p.m. CT) Tags: ESPN3, TC Fastpitch, TC/USA Nationals, Triple Crown Fastpitch, Triple Crown Sports Arguably in the mix of the most competitive fastpitch tournaments of the summer, TC/USA Nationals sets up shop in Austin, Texas, for the 2017 edition of the tournament. The top 14u, 16u and 18u clubs (as determined by US Club Rankings) will be present. “The TC/USA Nationals brings together elite softball clubs from across the country to compete for a national championship,” said tournament director Krista Crawford. “Each year the event is played in a different region of the U.S. This year we are excited to be bringing the event to Austin, Texas. The dynamic and culture-rich atmosphere of Austin is sure to provide a perfect setting for the event.” Teams get down to business Monday, July 10, after arriving in the Lone Star State. Two pool play games await each squad, allowing an opportunity for each team to get its feet wet and accustomed to the competitive atmosphere. Tuesday, the real fun begins. Each outfit is pre-seeded into a double elimination bracket. By Wednesday, multiple modified single-elim bracket are formed in each age division. Championship games in each division are slated for Thursday, and fans will not want to miss the elite level of play on championship day. For those not in Texas’ capital city on July 13, ESPN3 will carry both the 16u and 18u championship games live. Texas native Brett Dolan will have the call alongside color commentator Amanda Freed. Seven of the top 18u 10 clubs (No. 2 So Cal Athletics – Richardson, No. 4 Beverly Bandits – Demarini, No. 5 AL Birmingham Thunderbolts, No. 6 EC Bullets – Schnute, No. 8 Texas Blaze Gold – Slimp, No. 9 Texas Bombers Gold, No. 10 Texas Glory – Shelton) are slated to compete for the coveted TC/USA trophy, in an event that draws superior programs and athletes from coast to coast. 16u squads to watch include: Beverly Bandits – Demarini Diamond Sports Hotshots South Aces Express Futures Texas Glory – Naudin So Cal Athletics – Briggs Sorcerers – Gabales 14u teams in the mix: Norcal Firecrackers Baisdom Firecrackers HTX Oklahoma Exclusive Gold Texas Dirt Divas Demarini Aces Firecrackers TJ Last year’s 18u champions, Texas Blaze Gold, not only clinched the TC/USA Nationals crown but also checked off a ‘Bucket List’ item by competing in New York City, the 2016 site of the event. If the city’s rich culture of live music and overall ambiance wasn’t enough, the impressive list of teams and clubs attending also attracts the best college coaches across America. With all those next-level programs looking to bolster their rosters with the future stars of fastpitch, the elite level of talent on display is second to none. About TC USA Nationals
Triple Crown Sports created the event in 2012 using the US Club Rankings (www.usclubrankings.com) to help target the top 14U, 16U and 18U teams in the country. TCS takes the top 100 teams and gives an automatic berth to a program’s 18 Gold, 16U and 14U teams, along with the top five regionally ranked teams from 13 regions around the country. Invites are not passed down if a team declines. Instead, TCS fills all open spots with at-large selections. At-large teams fill out an application listing their qualifications for the remaining spots. Tags: Austin Texas, TC Fastpitch, TC/USA Nationals, Triple Crown Sports |
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