July 7,
2001- The 2001 ASA 16U-A State Championship Tournament got underway Friday night (July 6) at the Sugar Land softball fields. 30 teams are competing for a single birth at the ASA 16U-A Nationals.
The Sugar Land Outlaws coached by Kelli Jacoby played the Texas Taz from Bryan in a 9:45 am Saturday Winner's Bracket game. The game was tied at 0-0 until the 4th inning. The Outlaws were at bat and there was already two outs, when Holly Ridley drove a fly ball deep to left center field for a double. Mandy Bayer then hit a hard grounder between the legs of Mandy Boyer at 3rd base. Ashley Marshall (the left fielder) caught the grounder and threw home but Holly Ridley was safe. Mandy Bayer took
advantage of the throw home and reached 2nd base. Tiffany Williams then flew out to the left fielder for out number three. That was the only run the Outlaws needed as they hung on to win 1-0.
There were a few other exciting moments in the game. Kristi Sykes of Taz hit a long fly ball in the gap between left field and center field in the 5th
inning that look like trouble. But
Natalie Hewlett ran from her left field position to almost center field to catch the
gapper. Jennifer Ballard (the center fielder) was in perfect back-up position on the play.
Also in the 5th inning, the Outlaw's Kelli Kenne beat out a bunt for a base hit. Kelli showed her speed when she stole 2nd base. Kelli then stole 3rd base when Jennifer Ballard swung at a high pitch for strike number one. Unfortunately, Jennifer struck out to end the inning.
Cheri Wood was the winning pitcher for Sugar Land. She pitched all 6 innings, striking out three batters, walking none and giving up three base hits to the Taz. Cheri was able to keep the Taz off-balance with a mixture of
pitches.
Lisa Gorzycki, Kimberly Johnson and Ashley Marshall got the three singles for the Taz.
Kim Johnson pitched the first five innings of the game for the Taz. Kim had 4 strike-outs, no walks and gave-up three hits.
In the 4th inning, College Sports Exposure radar Kim throwing her fastball at 55 and 56 mph. Lisa Gorzycki pitched the last inning for Taz in relief. She had two strike-outs, no walks and gave-up no hits.
Kelli Kenne had two base hits and Holly Ridley had a double for the Outlaws.
The Sugar Land Outlaws advanced to the third round in the Winner's Bracket where 8 teams remain undefeated. Some of the remaining undefeated teams are the Texas Tornados from Waco, Beaumont Blast, Rough Riders from San Marcos, and Babes Red from Temple.
|
