Montana Patin Score Qualifies Houston Power for ASA 18U Gold Nationals in Salem, Oregon

by Duane  Treybig

June 8, 2003 - The 2003 ASA Girls's 18U "Gold" Sector 3 Qualifier got underway Friday night (July 6) at the Killeen Athletic Complex in Killeen, Texas at 8:30 pm. 24 Teams were competing for four spots in the 18U Gold ASA Nationals to be held August 4-10 in Salem, Oregon.  

In the 8:00 am Winners Bracket game on Sunday (June 8), Houston Power played Texas Elite.  At this point in the qualifier, only 4 teams remained in the Winner’s bracket.  The winner would automatically qualify for the 18U Gold ASA Nationals. 

Houston Power reached this game by first defeating Austin Storm Blue by a score of 6-1.  They then defeated Missouri City Magic by a score of 5-3 and Sudden Impact Gold 3-2. Texas Elite beat Montogomery County Elite in their first game. They then beat South Houston Mystixxs 1-0 in a double International Tie Breaker game.  Elite beat Beaumont Blast in their third game.  

The game was settled in the fourth inning.  Houston Power was at bat and there was one out.  2004 Senior, Montana Patin was the batter.  She hit a hard grounder just to the right of 2^nd base for a single.  Montana stole 2^nd base.  The next batter struck-out for Out No. 2.  Brooke Usher then hit a deep fly over the left fielder’s head for a double.  Montana Patin scored on the play.  Alex Colyer grounded out to the short stop for Out No. 3.  

Power threatened to score again in the 5^th inning.  With one out, Cara Patranella hit a deep fly in the gap between center and right field.  Amy Krueger grounded out to the short stop for Out No. 2 and the next batter struck-out.  

Texas Elite made the game very suspenseful in the 7^th inning.  Stephanie Pullen grounded out to 2004 junior short stop Jessica Valis for Out No. 1.  Samantha Buckner then hit a single to left field.  Paige Paramore then hit a double in the gap between left and center field.  Coach John Glowazc made a pitching change.  He replaced the starter, 2004 junior Elise Orange with Erica Bryant. Erica intentionally walked Jackie Williams to load the bases.  Katie Johnson then hit a soft grounder to the 3^rd baseman who threw home to get the force out. Jessica Plemons then hit a weak ground ball towards the left side of the pitcher that look like it might fall in for a single.  At the last second, the Power second baseman fielded the grounder and threw to first base to get the final out. 

This game can best be described as a pitcher’s dual.  Elise Orange started the game and pitched 6 1/3 innings before giving way to super closer, Erica Bryant. Elise only had two strike-outs, walked none and gave-up 3 hits. She gave-up 2 of the 3 hits in the 7^th inning.  College Sports Exposure radared Elise in the 4^th and 5^th innings.  Her pitching speed varied from 57 to 63 mph.  On one occasion, She threw a 62 mph drop.  Erica intentionally walked one batter and gave-up no hits to saved the shut-out for Elise. 

Texas Elite countered with 2004 Senior Megan Denny from Crowley, Texas.  Megan struck-out 7 batters, walked none and gave-up 3 hits.  College Sports Exposure radared Megan’s fast ball between 63 and 66 mph.  Her change-up was 43 to 45 mph.  

Paige Paramore led Elite hitting by going 2 for 3.  In addition to the double in the 7^th inning, she singled to center field in the 2^nd inning.