Category: ASA

2005 held at Salinas Sports Complex in Salinas, California on August 8-14, 2005.

Champion – Shamrocks, Vienna, Virginia
Runner Up – Arizona Hotshots Gold, Scottsdale, Arizona

Wearing white four-leaf clovers on their jerseys, the Virginia Shamrocks found some luck and timely hitting against the Arizona Hotshots on Sunday at the Salinas Sports Complex.

Maddy Coon hit an RBI double and later scored on a passed ball in the third inning to help the Shamrocks beat the Hotshots 3-1 in the title game of the Amateur Softball Association’s 18-under Gold National Championship.

The Shamrocks scored all three runs against starting pitcher Kim Reeder, the former Notre Dame product who last pitched two days ago. After Coon scored on a passed ball with two outs, Reeder was pulled for Katie Cotta, who ended the inning.

“My game was about ‘C range,” Reeder said. Before he was doused with water, Shamrocks coach Tommy Orndorff said he was elated his team finally pulled through with the title.

Earlier in the week, he celebrated his birthday. While his team didn’t promise him a championship, Orndorff said a viable gift would be to play in the title game.

“I’ve coached 36 years, and this is what you dream about,” Orndorff said. “I’ve always felt we could do it.

Seeing the University of Michigan win the College Softball World Series earlier this year brought hopes that more teams east of the Mississippi River could win softball titles in the college and high school levels, Orndorff said.

The Shamrocks won seven straight games to take the 64-team double-elimination tournament. The Hotshots made bids late in the game to force a second “if’ game, but many of the rallies started with two outs and were ended.

Arizona broke through in the top of the sixth with two outs. Jaci Hull hit a double and Caylyn Carlson promptly singled her home to cut its deficit to 3-1. Dani Gonzales reached on an infield hit, but Casey Willow then hit a grounder to first base.

“We’re a team that wakes up when we get behind,” said Ari-zona manager Rick Jones. “We just ran out of gas.”

It’s the highest finish for any Arizona travel softball team in the state ever, Jones said.

The two teams met several times earlier this year at regional tournaments throughout the nation, with the series pulled even. Two weeks ago, the Shamrocks did in the Hotshots in a low-scoring affair.

“With our pitchers, one is enough,” Coon said, referring to the passed ball in the first inning that allowed Courtney Bures to score and give the Shamrocks a 1-0 lead. In the first game of Sunday’s action, the Shamrocks beat Arizona 1-0 to reach the finals.

Arizona was then sent to the losers bracket and, with the help of a two-run home run by Stefanie Ewing, defeated the Orange County Batbusters 3-1 to qualify for the title game.

With the national championship done and the outcome not what she had hoped, Reeder has other teams on her mind.

“I’m thinking about UCLA and Stanford,” said the Ohio State University incoming freshman. “We play them in a tournament coming up, so I have to get ready for them.”

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Shamrocks, Vienna, VA (7-0)
2. Arizona Hotshots Gold, Scottsdale, AZ (6-2)
3. O.C. Batbusters, Santa Ana, CA (6-2)
4. Impact Gold, Houston, TX (7-2)
5t. Corona Angels, Corona, CA (4-2)
5t. Anaheim O.C. Batbusters, Garden Grove, CA (7-2)
7t. Texas Eclipse Gold, Magnolia, TX (4-2)
7t. Gold Coast Hurricanes Gold, Davie, FL (5-2)
9t. Worth Firecrackers, Huntington Beach, CA (3-2)
9t. So Cal Diamonds, Newbury Park, CA (3-2)
9t. Victory USA Gold, Fountain Valley, CA (3-2)
9t. SK Sudden Impact Gold, Houston, TX (5-3)
13t. Strikkers, San Jose, CA (3-2)
13t. Chaos, St. Louis, MO (5-2)
13t. So Cal Athletics, Montclair, CA (5-2)
13t. Washington Ladyhawks, Redmond, WA (4-3)
17t. American Pastime Gold, Upland, CA (2-2)
17t. Beverly Bandits, Orland Park, IL (2-2)
17t. Tulsa Eagles Gold, Tulsa, OK (2-2)
17t. Gordon’s Panthers, Canyon Lake, CA (2-2)
17t. Georgia Titans, Lithonia, GA (2-2)
17t. Texas High Voltage Gold, Deer Park, TX (3-2)
17t. Indiana Magic Gold Clay, Rochester, IN (4-2)
17t. Sorcerer Softball 18 Gold, San Ramon, CA (4-2)
25t. TX Magic Gold, Missouri City, TX (3-2)
25t. Georgia Elite, Douglasville, GA (3-2)
25t. Georgia Fire Gold, Roswell, GA (2-2)
25t. Texas Rapid Fire, Flower Mound, TX (2-2)
25t. San Diego Renegades Gold, San Diego, CA (2-2)
25t. Nashville Nighthawks, Madison, TN (2-2)
25t. Strike Zone Ford, Hayward, CA (2-2)
25t. Texas Storm Gold, Bellaire, TX (2-3)
33t. Valley Breeze, Pacoima, CA (2-2)
33t. Missouri Renegades Gold, Union, MO (1-2)
33t. Mad Dogs, Alliance, OH (1-2)
33t. Blast Gold, Beaumont, TX (1-2)
33t. Louisiana Voodoo Gold, River Ridge, LA (1-2)
33t. Colorado Comets Gold, Denver, CO (1-2)
33t. KC Xtreme, Olathe, KS (1-2)
33t. Suncats, Glendale, AZ (1-2)
33t. Mize Diamonds Gold, Los Gatos, CA (1-2)
33t. Kansas City Peppers, Olathe, KS (1-2)
33t. Tuff-N-Tuffer Gold, Somerville, NJ (1-3)
33t. Vancouver Ford Gold, Vancouver, WA (1-3)
33t. Nor Cal Lite, Woodland, CA (1-3)
33t. Finesse, Sterling Heights, MI (2-2)
33t. High Intensity, Niceville, FL (2-2)
33t. Houston Power Gold, Katy, TX (2-2)
49t. California Cruisers, La Palma, CA (1-2)
49t. Oregon Panthers Gold, Salem, OR (1-2)
49t. Finesse, Omaha, NE (1-2)
49t. Jersey Inferno Gold, Basking Ridge, NJ (1-2)
49t. South Houston Mystixx, Houston, TX (1-2)
49t. Glacier NW Gold, Vancouver, WA (1-2)
49t. Southern Force Gold, Johnston City, IL (1-2)
49t. Washington Sidewinders, Snohomish, WA (0-3)
49t. So Cal Vipers, Moreno Valley, CA (0-3)
49t. Salinas Storm 18U Gold, Salinas, CA (0-3)
49t. Lil Saints, Phoenix, AZ (0-3)
49t. Team Fla, Clearwater, FL (0-3)
49t. R.B.I. Monarchs, Los Angeles, CA (0-3)
49t. Texas Storm Gold-Dixon, Pasadena, TX (0-3)
49t. WA Spirit Gold, Tri-Cities, WA (0-3)
49t. CF Intruders, Houston, TX (0-3)

2005 GOLD Bracket

2004 held at Marietta, Georgia on August 9-14.

Champion – Southern Force, Johnston City, Illinois
Runner Up – California Cruisers, La Palma, California

Sharma Diller’s RBI-single in the bottom of the 10th inning captured the Amateur Softball Association 18-and-under Gold National Tournament title for the Southern Force Sunday.

Diller, of Bloomington, drove Toni Whitfield of Johnston City in with the winning run in a 2-1 victory over the California Cruisers in Marietta, Ga. With the win, the Force became what’s believed to be the first team from the Midwest to ever win the tournament.

“We wanted it big time,” said Force coach Gerry Glasco. “I really felt positive that we were going to win, because we won the Canada Cup in a 0-0 game in the eighth inning.”

University of Georgia pitcher Kasi Carroll, who pitched Norris City-Omaha-Enfield to the Class A State ‘- Softball Tournament as a senior in 2003, notched the win for the Force off the mound Sunday. Carroll allowed four runs in 10 games over the five-day tournament that began Aug. 11.

The Force beat Impact (Texas) Gold 1-0 in Saturday night’s semifinals and topped two Division I recruits in the Sunday finals. Anjelica Selden, who signed with the University of California-Los Angeles, and Arizona State signee Mindy Cowles both pitched for the Cruisers in the title game and allowed both runs.

Cowles started the game, was relieved by Selden, and came back in the 10th inning, when the Force loaded the bases with nobody out.

Under the international tiebreaker, the Force began the inning with Whitfield on second base. Kacey Coonce was intentionally walked, bringing up Mount Vernon’s Katie Wagner. Wagner attempted to sacrifice Whitfield over to third, but reached base when the Cruisers’ first baseman pulled her foot off the bag, leaving the bases loaded for Diller.

She then smacked Cowles’ first pitch up the middle into center field for the game-winner.

“Everybody had a part in it,” Glasco said. “Wagner made a sacrifice. and Whitfield made a nice catch the other night, taking away a double. Chelsea Petty had big hit after big hit all week long. Wagner, Glasco, Petty and Coonce — they’ve played together for years, and they’re all from small towns.

“They pulled together better. The Cruisers came from all over the United States; their team would pull them in for every weekend and pay for all of their expense.”

The Cruisers scored the first run of the game in the top of the eighth, but the Force responded with a run in the bottom half off a wild pitch.

The Force ended at 59-9 overall, and will try to duplicate the feat next season.

Carroll will be ineligible next season, but Glasco said Belleville East fireballer Dylan Mathis of Roxana could play with the team next summer.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Southern Force, Johnston City, IL (7-0)
2. California Cruisers, La Palma, CA (10-2)
3. Impact Gold, Houston, TX (5-2)
4. O.C. Batbusters, Santa Ana, CA (6-2)
5t. Corona Angels, Corona, CA (4-2)
5t. Georgia Elite Gold, Douglasville, GA (4-2)
7t. Arizona Heatwave Gold, Tempe, AZ (4-2)
7t. Gordon’s Panthers, Canyon Lake, CA (5-2)
9t. Valley Breeze Gold, Agoura, CA (3-2)
9t. Blast Gold, Beaumont, TX (3-2)
9t. Vancouver Ford, Vancouver, WA (4-2)
9t. Anaheim O.C. Batbusters, Garden Grove, CA (4-2)
13t. Shamrocks, Vienna, VA (3-2)
13t. Southern Cal Athletics, Montclair, CA (3-2)
13t. San Diego Co. Breakers, Carlsbad, CA (4-2)
13t. Arizona Hotshots, Tempe, AZ (4-2)
17t. Gold Coast Hurricanes, Plantation, FL (2-2)
17t. American Pastime, Upland, CA (2-2)
17t. Runnin’ Rebels, Stockton, CA (2-2)
17t. Sorcerer Softball, San Ramon, CA (3-2)
17t. Worth Firecrackers, Huntington Beach, CA (3-2)
17t. Fresno Force, Fresno, CA (3-2)
17t. Oregon Sun Supply, Portland, OR (3-2)
17t. Team Smith, Yorba Linda, CA (3-2)
25t. Texas Storm, Pearland, TX (2-2)
25t. KC Peppers, Olathe, KS (2-2)
25t. Austin Storm, Austin, TX (2-2)
25t. Beverly Bandits, Orland Park, IL (2-2)
25t. Magic Gold, Missouri City, TX (2-2)
25t. Clearwater Lady Bombers, Largo, FL (2-2)
25t. South Houston Mystixx, Houston, TX (2-2)
25t. Strikkers, San Jose, CA (2-2)
33t. Tulsa Eagles Gold, Tulsa, OK (1-2)
33t. Texas Elite Easton, Grand Prairie, TX (1-2)
33t. American Athletics Gold, Fountain Valley, CA (1-2)
33t. Washington Spirit Gold, Richland, WA (1-2)
33t. Houston Power Gold, Katy, TX (1-2)
33t. Phoenix Storm, Phoenix, AZ (1-2)
33t. St. Louis Chaos, St. Louis, MO (1-2)
33t. Georgia Fire Gold, Roswell, GA (1-2)
33t. Washington Lady Hawks, Lake Forest, WA (1-2)
33t. Omaha Finesse, Omaha, NE (1-2)
33t. Nashville Nighthawks, Madison, TN (1-2)
33t. Wichita Mustangs, Wichita, KS (1-2)
33t. Atlanta Vipers, Fayetteville, GA (1-2)
33t. Southern Cal Vipers, Moreno Valley, CA (1-2)
33t. Beach Girls Gold, Brooklyn, NY (1-2)
33t. Colorado Stars Gold, Boulder, CO (1-2)
49t. Filly’s, Mira Loma, CA (1-2)
49t. GA Fire Black, Lawrenceville, GA (0-2)
49t. Maddogs, Alliance, OH (0-2)
49t. Finesse, Sterling Heights, MI (0-2)
49t. Delong AZ Outlaws, Peoria, AZ (0-2)
49t. Strike Zone, Hayward, CA (0-2)
49t. California Lite Gold, Rialto, CA (0-2)
49t. East Cobb Bullets, Marietta, GA (0-2)
49t. East Cobb Angels, Marietta, GA (0-2)
49t. Rock N Fire, Manassas, VA (0-2)
49t. Oklahoma Dynamites, Edmond, OK (0-2)
49t. Lady Gators, West Palm Beach, FL (0-2)
49t. Grapettes, Lodi, CA (0-2)
49t. Chattanooga Yankettes, Chattanooga, TN (0-2)
49t. Miami Valley Xpress, Dayton, OH (0-2)
49t. Wagner’s, Glen Burnie, MD (1-2)
65t. Team Florida, Palm Harbor, FL (0-2)

2003 held at Wallace Marine Park in West Salem, Oregon on August 4-10.

Champion – O.C. Batbusters, Santa Ana, California
Runner Up – Shamrocks, Vienna, Virginia

It’s become a repetitive tale for the Orange County Batbusters:

Lose their first game at the ASA 18 Gold National Championships, then win the rest and the national title in the process.

For the second consecutive year, the Batbusters won the national championship, this time a 5-1 win against the Shamrocks of Virginia in front of more than 500 people Sunday at Wallace Marine Park in West Salem.

“We got yelled at for losing, but I’d rather lose at the beginning than at the end,” said winning pitcher Lisa Dodd, one of six on the team from last year.

The Batbusters lost last year in the first game of the tournament to the Oregon Panthers. This year, the Batbusters lost their first game of pool play, a 2-1 decision against the Arizona Hotshots.

Orange County then won its next eight games in a row for the national title, including a 3-0 win against the Worth Fire-crackers earlier Sunday in the sixth round of winner’s bracket play.

“It was weird that it happened just like last year,” said Batbusters second-baseman Dominique LaStrapes, who will play at Washington next year.

The Shamrocks lost 11-9 to the Firecrackers in the semifinals of the winner’s bracket and won three games Sunday to get in the national championship game.

The Shamrocks beat the Firecrackers 9-3 in the final of the loser’s bracket to reach the championship game of the double-elimination tournament.

The Shamrocks also beat the Firecrackers 3-2 in the first game of pool play Tuesday. “It was such an honor just to be in this game,” said Shamrocks right fielder Kelley Brown, who played as a freshman at Virginia Tech last year.

“Our organization has been together since 1977, same coach and everything. This is the first time in the whole history of the organization that we’ve made it to the national championship game. It was such an honor to represent the East Coast.”

Orange County lead early

The Batbusters took the lead in the game in the first inning and never trailed.

LaStrapes, the leadoff hitter, started the game with a single off Shamrocks pitcher Stephanie VanBrakle.

Tara Henry walked and Dodd grounded out to advance the runners to second and third.

With two outs in the inning, Kristie Fox connected on a hard hit to Shamrocks short-stop Courtney Bures that Bures couldn’t field. That allowed LaStrapes to score for a 1-0 Orange County lead.

LaStrapes singled to start the third inning, and after Henry singled, Dodd hit into a fielder’s choice to advance LaStrapes to third.

LaStrapes scored when Michelle Smith hit into a sacrifice to give her team a 2-0 lead. Three times in the first four innings and four times in the game, Orange County led off the inning with a hit or a batter hit by a pitch.

“It was important because they were so strong offensively that you never know, in the next inning, they could score three runs,” LaStrapes said.

The Shamrocks got one run back in the bottom of the fourth when Brown hit a leadoff single and made it to third on a single from Dani Woods and a fielder’s choice by Alex Switenko.

Brown scored when Maddy Coon hit a deep fly into center-field.

Dodd solid outing

Except for the fourth inning, Dodd pitched a solid game. She struck out five, allowed three hits and no walks in seven innings of work.

“We knew we had to hit the ball, and we knew she had a good changeup,” said Brown, who was 2 for 3. “We pretty much knew everything that we were going into, it’s just that they happened to execute better than we did.”

The Batbusters put the game out of reach in the top of the seventh.

“Obviously you want to show them why you’re national champions, why you’re defending. When you’re on top, everyone wants to get the person on top. 16 more pressure, but its also fun.”
Lisa Dodd Batbusters’ winning pitcher

Jessica Runge reached on an error with one out. Jessica Hejne hit a bloop single into centerfield, and LaStrapes walked to load the bases.

Henry hit a sacrifice to score one runner, then Dodd hit a single to score two more for the final 5-1 tally.

“Obviously you want to show them why you’re national champions, why you’re defending,” said Dodd, who will play for defending NCAA Division I champion UCLA next year. “When you’re on top, everyone wants to get the person on top. It’s more pressure, but it’s also fun.”

For the Batbusters, LaStrapes was 2 for 3 with a walk and three runs scored and Dodd was 2 for 4 with two RBIs.

Top teams earn bids

Orange County, along with runner-up Shamrocks, third-place Worth Firecrackers and fourth-place Gordon’s Panthers each receive automatic bids to next year’s ASA 18 Gold National Championships to be played in Marietta, Georgia.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. O.C. Batbusters, Santa Ana, CA (6-0)
2. Shamrocks, Vienna, VA (7-2)
3. Firecrackers, Huntington Beach, CA (6-2)
4. Gordon’s Panthers, Fullerton, CA (6-2)
5t. Case Batbusters, Santa Ana, CA (7-2)
5t. Lady Gators, Palm Beach Gardens, FL (4-2)
7t. Fresno Force, Fresno, CA (4-2)
7t. California Lite, Rialto, CA (5-2)
9t. San Jose Strikkers, San Jose, CA (3-2)
9t. Tulsa Eagles, Tulsa, OK (3-2)
9t. Salinas Storm, Salinas, CA (4-2)
9t. Missouri City Magic, Missouri City, TX (5-2)
13t. American Pastime, Upland, CA (3-2)
13t. Impact Gold, Houston, TX (3-2)
13t. So Cal Athletics, Montclair, CA (4-2)
13t. So Cal Lightning, Chula Vista, CA (4-2)
17t. Arizona Outlaws, Peoria, AZ (3-2)
17t. Orland Park Sparks, Orland Park, IL (2-2)
17t. Tampa Mustangs, Lutz, FL (2-2)
17t. Washington Ladyhawks, Woodinville, WA (2-2)
17t. California Cruisers, La Palma, CA (3-2)
17t. So Cal Breakers, Encinitas, CA (3-2)
17t. Texas Elite, Grand Prairie, TX (3-2)
17t. Gold Coast Hurricane, Cooper City, FL (2-2)
25t. Georgia Elite, Douglasville, GA (2-2)
25t. Houston Power, Houston, TX (2-2)
25t. KC Peppers, Olathe, KS (2-2)
25t. USA Athletics, Anaheim, CA (2-2)
25t. Glacier NW, Vancouver, WA (2-2)
25t. NJ Pride, Newark, NJ (2-2)
25t. Oregon Panthers, Salem, OR (2-2)
25t. Sacramento Rush, Sacramento, CA (2-2)
33t. Anaheim O.C. Batbusters, Garden Grove, CA (1-2)
33t. Beach Girls, Brooklyn, NY (1-2)
33t. Blazing Angels, Cheltenham, PA (1-2)
33t. NW Extreme, Canby, OR (1-2)
33t. San Diego Renegades, San Diego, CA (1-2)
33t. Arizona Hotshots, Tempe, AZ (1-2)
33t. California Waves, Santa Barbara, CA (1-2)
33t. Colorado Legend, Parker, CO (1-2)
33t. KC Xtreme, Olathe, KS (1-2)
33t. Louisiana Reflections, Lafayette, LA (1-2)
33t. Maddogs, Alliance, OH (1-2)
33t. Phoenix Storm Swan, Phoenix, AZ (1-2)
33t. So Cal Diamonds, Newbury Park, CA (1-2)
33t. Sudden Impact Gold, Houston, TX (1-2)
33t. Texas Storm, Pearland, TX (1-2)
33t. Valley Breeze, San Fernando, CA (1-2)
49t. Atlanta Vipers, Atlanta, GA (0-2)
49t. Colorado Stars, Boulder, CO (0-2)
49t. Georgia Fire, Roswell, GA (0-2)
49t. Katy Express, Katy, TX (0-2)
49t. Lil Saints, Peoria, AZ (0-2)
49t. Louisiana Voodoo, New Orleans, LA (0-2)
49t. Oklahoma Twisters, Norman, OK (0-2)
49t. Panthers, Glendale, CA (0-2)
49t. Phoenix Storm Moloney, Phoenix, AZ (0-2)
49t. So Cal Pride, Newhall, CA (0-2)
49t. Southern Force, Johnston City, IL (0-2)
49t. Strike Zone, Hayward, CA (0-2)
49t. Texas Eclipse, Houston, TX (0-2)
49t. Texas Hawks, Conroe, TX (0-2)
49t. Texas High Voltage, Houston, TX (0-2)
49t. Vipers, Moreno Valley, CA (0-2)

2003 OC Batbusters

2002 held in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma on August 5-11.

Champion – O.C. Batbusters, Santa Ana, California
Runner Up – Smoke, Fullerton, California

In a matchup of Goliaths, it was the unnoticed pitcher who drew the most interest at Arrowhead Park on Sunday.

Lisa Dodd outdueled Alicia Hollowell, the 2002 Gatorade National Player of the Year, in the championship of the ASA 18-and-under Gold Nationals, leading the Anaheim (Calif.) O.C. Batbusters to a 2-0 win over the Fullerton Smoke.

Dodd, a high school senior to be, came within a seventh-inning bunt single of a perfect game to best Fullerton and Hollowell, an ASA All-American last year who will pitch at Arizona next spring.

Candice Baker tripled home Ashley Herrera, who was running for Dodd, with the go-ahead run in the second and scored on Jaisa Ceps’ single one pitch later for all the runs Dodd needed.

The final four teams were all from California. Fullerton won the first Gold title in 1994 as Gordon’s Panthers, and added titles in ’96 and ’98.

FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Summer Tobias, California Cruisers
P – Alicia Hollowell, Smoke
P – Kasi Carroll, Southern Force
C – Haley Woods, California Cruisers
1B – Desiree Williams, Paradise Valley Premier
2B – Anna Beardman, Smoke
3B – Andrea Duran, O.C. Batbusters
SS – Stephanie Churchwell, O.C. Batbusters
OF – Lauren Castle, Louisiana Gold
OF – Megan Cotton, High Intensity
OF – Kristin Vesley, Paradise Valley Premier
OF – Autumn Champion, Smoke
UTIL – Mallorie Lenn, Smoke
UTIL – Lisa Dodd, O.C. Batbusters
UTIL – Lindsey Gerheim, East Cobb Bullets

SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Brooke Mitchell, Louisiana Gold
P – Janet Kearns, East Cobb Bullets
P – Marjorie Johnson, Eagles Gold
C – Leigh Ann Danos, Katy Cruisers
1B – Jackie Rinehart, California Cruisers
2B – Taylr Hollis, Louisiana Gold
3B – Jamie Fox, Louisiana Gold
SS – Lisa Gorzycki, Texas Impact Gold
OF – Adrienne Alo, Smoke
OF – Tara Lindsey, Texas Impact Gold
OF – Lashaun Davis, East Cobb Bullets
OF – Amanda Williams, East Cobb Bullets
UTIL – Melissa Wood, Atlanta Vipers Gold
UTIL – Brittany Vanderink, Mad Dogs
UTIL – Vanessa Iapala, Smoke

FINAL STANDINGS

1. O.C. Batbusters, Santa Ana, CA (7-0)
2. Smoke, Fullerton, CA (7-2)
3. California Cruisers, La Palma, CA (6-2)
4. Fresno Force Gold, Fresno, CA (6-2)
5t. Atlanta Vipers Gold, Conyers, GA (4-2)
5t. Paradise Valley Premier, Scottsdale, AZ (6-2)
7t. Glacier NW Gold, Vancouver, WA (4-2)
7t. Strike Zone, Hayward, CA (4-2)
9t. High Intensity, Niceville, FL (3-2)
9t. Anaheim Batbusters, Garden Grove, CA (4-2)
9t. East Cobb Bullets, Marietta, GA (6-2)
9t. Louisiana Gold, Lafayette, LA (5-2)
13t. Southern Force, Johnston City, IL (4-2)
13t. Texas Impact Gold, Houston, TX (4-2)
13t. American Pastime Gold, Upland, CA (3-2)
13t. Fear This Softball, Grand Prairie, TX (3-2)
17t. Blazing Angels, Holland, PA (3-2)
17t. Eagles Gold, Tulsa, OK (3-2)
17t. Mad Dogs, Alliance, OH (3-2)
17t. So Cal Athletics, Montclair, CA (3-2)
17t. Gainesville Gold Stevens, Gainesville, FL (2-2)
17t. Katy Cruisers, Katy, TX (2-2)
17t. Lil Saints Gold, Peoria, AZ (2-2)
17t. Plantation Gold, Plantation, FL (2-2)
25t. Amie Stewart’s CA Rebels, Bellflower, CA (2-2)
25t. So Cal Spoilers, Santa Clarita, CA (2-2)
25t. Fighting Irish, Kennesaw, GA (2-2)
25t. Katy Express Gold, Katy, TX (2-2)
25t. KC Shockwaves, Kansas City, MO (2-2)
25t. Mystixx, So. Houston, TX (2-2)
25t. Phoenix Storm Swan, Phoenix, AZ (2-2)
25t. Texas Eclipse Gold, Magnolia, TX (2-2)
33t. Arizona Alleycats, Tucson, AZ (1-2)
33t. Irvine Sting, Irvine, CA (2-2)
33t. Arizona Sun Cats Gold, Mesa, AZ (1-2)
33t. California Choppers, Valencia, CA (1-2)
33t. Gold Jitterbugs, Oklahoma City, OK (1-2)
33t. Impact Gold, Houston, TX (1-2)
33t. Kansas City Peppers, Olathe, KS (1-2)
33t. Lady Gators Gold, West Palm Beach, FL (1-2)
33t. Louisiana Reflection, Lafayette, LA (1-2)
33t. Oklahoma Twisters, Norman, OK (1-2)
33t. Oregon Panthers Gold, Salem, OR (1-2)
33t. Salinas Storm Gold, Salinas, CA (1-2)
33t. San Diego Co Breakers, Cardiff, CA (1-2)
33t. San Diego Renegades, San Diego, CA (1-2)
33t. Wichita Katz Lemaster, Wichita, KS (1-2)
33t. Wildcats, Salinas, CA (1-2)
49t. California Lite, Rialto, CA (1-2)
49t. Colorado Comets Gold, Broomfield, CO (1-2)
49t. Colorado Legend Gold, Parker, CO (0-2)
49t. Echoes Gold, Omaha, NE (0-2)
49t. Flyers, Louisville, KY (0-2)
49t. Frost Falcons, Chattanooga, TN (0-2)
49t. Hot Stuff, Yorba Linda, CA (0-2)
49t. Houston Power Glowacz, Katy, TX (0-2)
49t. Georgia Elite Gold, Douglasville, GA (0-2)
49t. NJ Pride, Newark, NJ (0-2)
49t. NW Buzz, Sammamish, WA (0-2)
49t. Oklahoma Illusion, Broken Arrow, OK (0-2)
49t. TN Outlaws, Columbia, TN (0-2)
49t. Texas High Voltage Gold, Deer Park, TX (0-2)
49t. Washington Ladyhawks Gold, Auburn, WA (0-2)
49t. Worth Firecrackers, San Diego, CA (0-2)
65t. Shamrocks, Vienna, VA (0-2)
65t. Sure Fire, Glendora, CA (0-2)

2001 held in Marietta, Georgia on July 30 – August 5.

Champion – Katy Cruisers Gold, Katy, Texas
Runner Up – California Cruisers, La Palma, California

Simple logic dictates that it’s better to pitch to a batter with the bases loaded, rather than intentionally walk her. She might strike out, ground into a double play, pop up, whatever, but a run is in no way guaranteed.

California Cruisers manager Ron McCard agreed, choosing to pitch to Katy Cruisers cleanup hitter Iyhia McMichael in that situation Sunday.

On the second pitch, McMichael hit a grand slam that landed well beyond the left field fence to give the Katy Cruisers a 5-0 victory over California and their second consecutive ASA Girls Gold 18-and-under Fastpitch National Tournament championship in Marietta. Katy went 9-0 in the tournament, including two wins in pool play.

“This one’s just so much sweeter because we didn’t lose,” Katy manager Jimmy Lyons said. “And nobody’s ever won this back-to-back, so that makes it ever sweeter. It was destiny.”

Opposing coaches had taken the bat out of McMichael’s hands four times over the final two days out of respect for one of the tournament’s most dangerous hitters. But after Tina Boutelle, Sara Fitzgerald and Tiffany Anders hit consecutive singles in the third inning, California pitcher Summer Tobias had no choice but to pitch to McMichael.

“It was just so frustrating because I was in a slump, and all I wanted to do was go up there and hit,” McMichael said. “But I never really got that chance until they were absolutely forced to pitch to me.”

“Come on, what am I gonna do, walk her?” McCard said. “Even though she is one of the best hitters here, we still wanted to play the percent-ages and bet on a ground-out or a double play.”

Back in June, McMichael helped Katy defeat California in similar fashion in a national qualifier tournament by hitting an extra-inning double to score the winning run. Same pitcher, same pitch.

“She threw it to me in June, so I kinda felt what was coming,” McMichael said. “I just knew.”

Defending national champion Katy Cruisers Gold defeated Sudden Impact 3-0 behind 17 strikeouts from U.S. National Team player Cat Osterman on Saturday.

FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Catherine Osterman, Katy Cruisers
P – Alicia Hollowell, Gordon’s Panthers
P – Summer Tobias, California Cruisers
C – Ashlee D’Errico, Gordon’s Panthers
1B – Jaclyn Holden, California Cruisers
2B – Dominique Lastrapes, Orange County Batbusters Haning
3B – Andrea Duran, Orange County Batbusters Haning
SS – Stephanie Churchwell, Orange County Batbusters
OF – Julie Watson, Southern California Athletics Gold
OF – Tina Boutelle, Katy Cruisers
OF – Carrie Hagen, California Cruisers
OF – Autumn Champion, Gordon’s Panthers
UTIL – Val Sevilla, California Cruisers
UTIL – Kelly Osburn, Katy Cruisers
UTIL – Tiffany Anders, Katy Cruisers

SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Meredith Cervenko, Batbusters-Haning
P – Kami Keiter, Colorado Comets
P – Cori VanDusen, Sudden Impact
C – Lauren Lappin, California Cruisers
1B – Christina Clark, Orange County Batbusters Haning
2B – Kendra Singley, Southern California Athletics Gold
3B – Jessica Vernaglia, California Cruisers
SS – Jennifer Johnson, Southern California Athletics Gold
OF – Kim Hopkin, Orange County Batbusters
OF – Katie Decker, Colorado Comets
OF – Adrienne Alo, Gordon’s Panthers
OF – Cameron Astiazaran, California Cruisers
UTIL – Melissa Sanchez, Sudden Impact
UTIL – Briana Bates, Colorado Comets
UTIL – Tara Henry, Orange County Batbusters Haning

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Katy Cruisers, Katy, TX (7-0)
2. California Cruisers, La Palma, CA (7-2)
3. Gordon’s Panthers, Fullerton, CA (9-2)
4. Colorado Comets, Broomfield, CO (5-2)
5t. Orange County Batbusters Haning, Santa Ana, CA (4-2)
5t. Sudden Impact, Riverside, CA (6-2)
7t. Southern California Athletics Gold, Montclair, CA (4-2)
7t. Orange County Batbusters, Garden Grove, CA (6-2)
9t. Tuff-E-Nuff, Chino Hills, CA (5-2)
9t. San Jose Lady Sharks, San Jose, CA (3-2)
9t. St. Louis Chaos, St. Louis, MO (3-2)
9t. Flash D’ Gold, Rancho Cucamonga, CA (3-2)
13t. West Bay Nuggets, Burlingame, CA (4-2)
13t. Paradise Valley Premier, Scottsdale, AZ (4-2)
13t. T.E. Elite, Madison, TN (4-2)
13t. Fighting Irish, Kennesaw, GA (3-2)
17t. Kc Lasers, Kansas City, MO (3-2)
17t. Strike Zone, Sunnyvale, CA (3-2)
17t. Tomball Hawks, Magnolia, TX (2-2)
17t. Stealth, Oklahoma City, OK (2-2)
17t. Colorado Legend, Parker, CO (2-2)
17t. Hot Stuff Gold, Yorba Linda, CA (2-2)
17t. Panthers Gold, Sylmar, CA (2-2)
17t. Worth Firecrackers Wardein, San Diego, CA (2-2)
25t. Louisiana Gold, Lafayette, LA (3-2)
25t. So. Cal Minor’s Gold, Mira Loma, CA (2-2)
25t. Valley Breeze, Agoura, CA (2-2)
25t. Parker Eagles, Chattanooga, TN (2-2)
25t. Maddogs Hileman, Alliance, OH (2-2)
25t. Southern California Rebels, Fullerton, CA (2-2)
25t. Echoes Gold, Ralston, NE (2-2)
25t. San Diego County Breakers Beddow, Cardiff, CA (2-2)
33t. Washington Ladyhawks, Renton, WA (2-2)
33t. Esko Ice, Duluth, MN (1-2)
33t. Spring Klein Hawks, Houston, TX (1-2)
33t. Vipers, Conyers, GA (1-2)
33t. Boone & Darr, Ann Arbor, MI (1-2)
33t. Plantation Gold, Plantation, FL (1-2)
33t. Riviera Beach Spirit, Riviera Beach, MD (1-2)
33t. Prestige Belles, San Clemente, CA (1-2)
33t. Runnin Rebels Gold Regalpa, Stockton, CA (1-2)
33t. Desoto Belles, DeSoto, KS (1-2)
33t. Shamrocks, Vienna, VA (1-2)
33t. Magic Gold, Missouri City, TX (1-2)
33t. Lady Bombers Gold, Clearwater, FL (1-2)
33t. Beach Girls, Brooklyn, NY (1-2)
33t. Orange County Rebels, Anaheim Hills, CA (1-2)
33t. Strikkers, San Jose, CA (2-2)
49t. Blazing Angels, Warminster, PA (2-2)
49t. Arizona Cats, Tucson, AZ (1-2)
49t. Chattanooga Stars, Chattanooga, TN (1-2)
49t. Huntsville Storm, Huntsville, AL (1-2)
49t. NJ Pride, Newark, NJ (0-2)
49t. Fresno Force Gold, Visalia, CA (0-2)
49t. Georgia Elite, Douglasville, GA (0-2)
49t. California Rebels, Bellflower, CA (0-2)
49t. Minors Gold Way, Corona, CA (0-2)
49t. So Cal Stealth, Thousand Oaks, CA (0-2)
49t. Lil Saints Gold, Phoenix, AZ (0-2)
49t. Redbirds, Washington, DC (0-2)
49t. Missouri War Cats, Wright City, MO (0-2)
49t. Southern Force, Johnston City, IL (0-2)
49t. Thunder, Chattanooga, TN (0-2)
49t. American Pastime Gold-Farnworth, Whittier, CA (1-2)
65t. Aphis Gold, Vancouver, WA (1-2)
65t. San Diego Thunder-Mateo, San Diego, CA (1-2)
65t. Texas Storm, Pasadena, TX (1-2)
65t. American Pastime Gold-Dutton, Rancho Cucamonga, CA (0-2)
65t. Indiana Heat, Arcadia, IN (0-2)

2000 held in St. Louis, Missouri on July 31 – August 6.

Champion – Katy Cruisers Gold, Katy, Texas
Runner Up – Orange County Batbusters, Santa Ana, California

University of Texas All-America sophomore Lindsay Gardner helped lead her club team, the Katy Cruisers Gold, to the ASA 18-Under Gold Fast Pitch National Championship on Sunday in St. Louis.

Gardner drove in the game’s only run with an RBI double in the ninth inning.

Cat Osterman pitched for the Katy Cruisers Gold.

The Orange County Batbusters, based in Santa Ana, California, lost, 1-0 to Katy Cruisers Gold of Houston in the championship game of the ASA Junior Olympic Gold Nationals Sunday in St. Louis. The Batbusters advanced to the championship game of the double-elimination tournament, beating Katy Cruisers Gold, 1-0, in an earlier winners’ bracket game.

The Anaheim Batbusters would have finished third overall but forfeit their winners’ bracket game to the Orange County Batbusters.

There were approximately 320 coaches in attendance at the tournament.

FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Catherine Osterman, Katy Cruisers Gold
P – Keira Goerl, Orange County Batbusters
P – Jamie Southern, Clovis Rockets
C – Lauren Watson, Valley Breeze
1B – Christy Connor, Katy Cruisers Gold
2B – Lindsay Gardner, Katy Cruisers Gold
3B – Cheryl Bolding, Southern California Belles Gold
SS – Pam Perez, Clovis Rockets
OF – Kim Koral, Valley Breeze
OF – Kristin Farber, Gordon’s Panthers
OF – Kristin Baker, Orange County Batbusters
OF – Rita Roach, Orange County Batbusters
UTIL – Jillian Sandoval, Southern California Hot Stuff
UTIL – Heather Shook, Southern California Hot Stuff
UTIL – Brandy Stuart, Anaheim Batbusters

SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Marti Nuvia, Southern California Hot Stuff
P – Gladding Jenny, Lady Bombers Gold
P – Edwards Jessica, Anaheim Batbusters
C – Allister Jessica, Katy Cruisers Gold
1B – Keohohou Oli, Gordon’s Panthers
2B – Mobley Erin, Gordon’s Panthers
3B – Duran Andrea, Clovis Rockets
SS – Saltarelli Heather, Southern California Belles Gold
OF – Black Dana, American Pastime Larry
OF – Pilatti Laura, Clovis Rockets
OF – Wescott Linzi, West Bay Nuggets
OF – Trimboli Nicole, Colorado Comets
UTIL – Osborne Kelly, Katy Cruisers Gold
UTIL – Seaver Nichole, Clovis Rockets
UTIL – Ramos Veronica, Valley Breeze

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Katy Cruisers Gold, Katy, TX (7-1)
2. Orange County Batbusters, Santa Ana, CA (8-2)
3. Valley Breeze, Agoura, CA (8-2)
4. West Bay Nuggets, Burlingame, CA (5-2)
5t. Clovis Rockets, Clovis, CA (4-2)
5t. American Pastime (Larry), Upland, CA (5-2)
7t. Gordon’s Panthers, Le Palma, CA (4-2)
7t. Colorado Comets, Broomfield, CO (4-2)
9t. Destiny, Glendale, AZ (3-2)
9t. California Cruisers, La Palma, CA (3-2)
9t. Tennessee Thunder, Signal Mountain, TN (3-2)
9t. Southern California Belles Gold, San Clements, CA (4-2)
13t. Southern California Hot Stuff, Yorba Linda, CA (4-2)
13t. Lady Bombers Gold, Clearwater, FL (3-2)
13t. Panther Gold, Sylmar, CA (3-2)
13t. Georgia Elite, Douglasville, GA (4-2)
17t. Illusion Gold, Des Peres, MO (3-2)
17t. Louisiana Reflections, Baton Rouge, LA (3-2)
17t. Paradise Valley Premier, Scottsdale, AZ (3-2)
17t. California Choppers, Valencia, CA (2-2)
17t. California Breeze, Penryn, CA (2-2)
17t. Flash D’ Gold (N), Cucamonga, CA (2-2)
17t. Texas Heat, Kingwood, TX (2-2)
17t. Runnin’ Rebels Gold, Stockton, CA (2-2)
25t. USA Athletics, Santa Ana, CA (2-2)
25t. Shamrocks, Vienna, VA (2-2)
25t. Striker’s, San Jose, CA (2-2)
25t. Colorado Legend, Parker, CO (2-2)
25t. Lil’ Saints, Scottsdale, AZ (2-2)
25t. American Pastime Craig, Upland, CA (2-2)
25t. Southern California Firecrackers, San Diego, CA (2-2)
25t. Strike Zone, Sunnyvale, CA (2-2)
33t. Grand Rapid Blaze, Dewitt, MI (2-2)
33t. Nashville Eagles, Mt. Juliet, TN (1-2)
33t. California Sting, El Dorado Hills, CA (1-2)
33t. Flash D’ Gold (Greene), San Dimas, CA (1-2)
33t. Southern California Athletics Gold, Montclair, CA (1-2)
33t. San Diego County Breakers, Encinitas, CA (1-2)
33t. Lady Lasers Green, Pickerington, OH (1-2)
33t. Redbirds 18-U Gold, Reston, VA (1-2)
33t. Esko Ice, Superior, WI (1-2)
33t. Southern California Rebels Gold, Placentia, CA (1-2)
33t. Southern California Fillies, Mira Loma, CA (1-2)
33t. Original Jitterbugs Gold, Oklahoma City, OK (1-2)
33t. Cy-Fair Intruders Gold, Houston, TX (1-2)
33t. St. Louis Crush, Eureka, MO (1-2)
33t. Southern California Stealth Gold (W), Woodland Hills, CA (1-2)
33t. St. Louis Heat, St. Charles, MO (2-2)
49t. Indiana Heat, Arcadia, IN (2-2)
49t. Maximum Impact, Champlin, MN (0-2)
49t. Southern California Stealth 18 Gold (H), West Hills, CA (0-2)
49t. Road Runners, Norwich, OH (0-2)
49t. De Soto Belles, De Soto, KS (0-2)
49t. Southern California Firecrackers, Sylmar, CA (0-2)
49t. Evansville Stealers, Evansville, IN (0-2)
49t. West Virginia Dusters, Huntington, WV (0-2)
49t. Boone And Darr, Ann Arbor, MI (0-2)
49t. Sudden Impact Gold, Riverside, CA (0-2)
49t. OKC Stealth, Edmond, OK (0-2)
49t. Diamond Dusters, Tulsa, OK (0-2)
49t. Aphis Ready Mix Gold, Vancouver, WA (0-2)
49t. Minors Gold-Way, Corona, CA (0-2)
49t. Texas Eclipse, Spring, TX (0-2)
49t. Parker Eagles, West Ridge, TN (1-2)
65t. NY/NJ Beach Girls, Morris Plains, NJ (0-2)
65t. Oregon Panther Gold, Salem, OR (0-2)
65t. Northwest Outlaws, Kelso, WA (0-2)
65t. Anaheim Batbusters, Garden Grove, CA (0-2) (Disqualified)

1999 held in Chattanooga, Tennessee on August 2-8.

Champion – SoCal Athletics Gold, Irvine, California
Runner Up – Gordon’s Panthers, Cypress, California

FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Jennifer Stewart, So Cal Athletics Gold
P – Keira Goerl, O.C. Batbusters
P – Tia Bollinger, Gordon’s Panthers
C – Roxanne Staniorski, Gordon’s Panthers
1B – Oli Keohohou, Gordon’s Panthers
2B – Dara Webb, So Cal Athletics Gold
3B – Jennifer Mossadeghi, Lady Bombers Gold
SS – Natasha Watley, So Cal Athletics Gold
OF – Julie Watson, So Cal Athletics Gold
OF – Holly Groves, Lady Bombers Gold
OF – Kristin Farber, Gordon’s Panthers
OF – Kristi DeVries, Gordon’s Panthers
UTIL – Claire Sua, Lady Bombers Gold
UTIL – Phelan Wright, Gordon’s Panthers
UTIL – Jenny Gladding, Lady Bombers Gold

SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Kristen Schmidt, Texas Heat Gold
P – Lindsey Foster, St. Louis Heat
P – Jamie Southern, Force
C – Courtney Lewellen, Lady Bombers Gold
1B – Susan Churchwell, So Cal Rebels
2B – Mylin Prieto, Lady Bombers Gold
3B – Jaime Clark, O.C. Batbusters
SS – Marcel Torres, Gordon’s Panthers
OF – Boni Kading, O.C. Batbusters
OF – Courtney Betley, So Cal Athletics Gold
OF – Daisy Flores, So Cal Rebels
OF – Kellie Wilkerson, Nashville Eagles
UTIL – Leah Gulla, Batbusters
UTIL – Shannon McKeon, Lady Bombers Gold
UTIL – Wendy Allen, Gordon’s Panthers

THIRD TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Natalie King, Batbusters
P – Corianne Rogalsky, So Cal Lightning
P – Catherine Osterman, Katy Cruisers Gold
C – Jessica Allister, Katy Cruisers Gold
1B – Holly Ballard, Strikkers-Sorci
2B – Samantha Jennings, So Cal Rebels
3B – Renee Hasan, So Cal Lightning
SS – Dana Reed, Chattanooga Eagles
OF – Jerri Alexander, Nashville Eagles
OF – Amanda Woodall, Chattanooga Eagles
OF – Kristen Bell, Chattanooga Eagles
OF – Shelly Riker, Lady Bombers Gold
UTIL – Lacey Gardner, Chattanooga Eagles
UTIL – Nicole Deeter, Texas Heat Gold
UTIL – Brandy Stuart, Batbusters

FINAL STANDINGS

1. So Cal Athletics Gold, Irvine, CA (7-1)
2. Gordon’s Panthers, Cypress, CA (5-2)
3. Lady Bombers Gold, Clearwater, FL (7-2)
4. O.C. Batbusters, Santa Ana, CA (7-2)
5t. So Cal Lightning, San Diego, CA (4-2)
5t. Force, Fresno, CA (4-2)
7t. Batbusters, Garden Grove, CA (5-2)
7t. Katy Cruisers Gold, Katy, TX (4-2)
9t. Texas Heat Gold, Kingwood, TX (3-2)
9t. Nashville Eagles, Brentwood, TN (3-2)
9t. Chattanooga Eagles, Chattanooga, TN (5-2)
9t. SoCal Rebels, Lake Forest, CA (5-2)
13t. SoCal Firecrackers Gold, San Diego, CA (3-2)
13t. Hot Stuff, Yorba Linda, CA (4-2)
13t. American Pastime Gold, Upland, CA (3-2)
13t. California Breeze, Sacramento, CA (4-2)
17t. SoCal Belles, San Clemente, CA (2-2)
17t. Missouri Maniacs, St. Charles, MO (2-2)
17t. Mustangs Gold, Chattanooga, TN (2-2)
17t. Cy-Fair Intruders, Houston, TX (2-2)
17t. Colorado Comets, Broomfield, CO (2-2)
17t. Strikkers-Sorci, San Jose, CA (3-2)
17t. St. Louis Heat, St. Louis, MO (3-2)
17t. USA Athletics, Santa Ana, CA (3-2)
25t. California Tornadoes Gold, Fairfield, CA (2-2)
25t. Storm Gold, Glendale, AZ (2-2)
25t. Aphis Gold, Van Couver, WA (2-2)
25t. Santa Fe Springs Rebels, Santa Fe Springs, CA (2-2)
25t. California Lobos Gold, Irvine, CA (2-2)
25t. Polar Crush, Worchester, MA (2-2)
25t. Spring Klein Hawks, Houston, TX (2-2)
25t. Running Rebels Gold, Stockton, CA (2-2)
33t. Missouri City Magic, Missouri City, TX (1-2)
33t. New Edition Gold, Tomball, TX (1-2)
33t. Lady Gators, Palm Beach Gardens, FL (1-2)
33t. Tennessee Thunder, Signal Mountain, TN (1-2)
33t. The Dogs, Rootstown, OH (1-2)
33t. Grand Slam, Uniontown, OK (1-2)
33t. San Diego Breakers, Encinitas, CA (1-2)
33t. American Pastime, Upland, CA (1-2)
33t. Mad Dogs, Alliance, OH (1-2)
33t. Valencia Choppers, Valencia, CA (1-2)
33t. Boone & Darr, Ann Arbor, MI (1-2)
33t. Maryland Dynasty, Waldorf, MD (1-2)
33t. L’il Saints Gold, Phoenix, AZ (1-2)
33t. American Athletics Gold, Santa Ana, CA (1-2)
33t. Esko Ice, Esko, MN (1-2)
33t. Shamrocks, Vienna, VA (1-2)
49t. Tucson Roadrunners Gold, Tucson, AZ (0-2)
49t. Northwest Outlaws Gold, Kelso, WA (0-2)
49t. NY/NJ Beach Girls, Brooklyn, NY (0-2)
49t. Minors Gold, Corona, CA (0-2)
49t. Illusions, St. Louis, MO (0-2)
49t. West Virginia Dusters, Huntington, WV (0-2)
49t. Tulsa Eagles, Muskogee, OK (0-2)
49t. Dynasty Gold, Riverside, CA (0-2)
49t. NW 45 Thunder, Spring, TX (0-2)
49t. Sudden Impact, Chino, CA (0-2)
49t. Destiny 18 Gold, Glendale, AZ (0-2)
49t. Hot Shots, Tempe, AZ (0-2)
49t. SoCal Stealth 18 Gold, Woodland Hills, CA (0-2)
49t. Catonsville 18 Under, Catonsville, MD (0-2)
49t. Indiana Heat, Arcadia, IN (0-2)
49t. Michigan Invasion, Grand Rapids, MI (0-2)

1998 held in Phoenix, Arizona on July 26-August 2.

Champion – Gordon’s Panthers, Cypress, California
Runner Up – O.C. Batbusters, Santa Ana, California

Amanda Freed, the two-time Times Orange County softball players of the year, had the game winning hit as Gordon’s Panthers of Cypress beat Gary Haning’s Orange County Batbusters, 1-0 in eight innings to win the Amateur Softball Association Gold national championship game Sunday in Phoenix.

Freed, who is going to UCLA, pitched a one-hitter as the Panthers beat the Batbusters, 4-0, in the winners’ bracket final also on Sunday.

Freed would earn a Second Team All American at the ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch tournament later in the summer playing with the Redding Rebels.

FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Amanda Freed, Gordon’s Panthers
P – Jennie Finch, O.C. Batbusters
P – Kourtney Davis, So. Cal Athletics
C – Erin Tucker, O.C. Batbusters
1B – Jenny Topping, Gordon’s Panthers
2B – Kelsey Kollen, Gordon’s Panthers
3B – Lindsay Fossatti, O.C. Batbusters (Davis)
SS – Alexis Madrid, Gordon’s Panthers
OF – Janna Kovensky, So. Cal Athletics
OF – Rita Roach, O.C. Batbusters
OF – Tiffany Thomas, Flash D’ Gold
OF – Shealee Dunavan, So. Cal Athletics
DH – Lacy Hauxhurst, O.C. Batbusters
UTIL – Jodie Cox, Flash D’ Gold
UTIL – Brandy Stuart, O.C. Batbusters (Davis)

SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Jocelyn Forest, So. Cal Athletics
P – Kirsten Voak, Lady Sharks
P – Jennifer Stewart, Tulsa Eagles
C – Jessica Bashor, Flash D’ Gold
1B – Andrea Loman, So. Cal Athletics
2B – Nichole Thompson, So. Cal Athletics
3B – Brandy Thurman, Grapettes
SS – Jaime Clark, O.C. Batbusters
OF – Marissa Young, Gordon’s Panthers
OF – Tammy Donnell, Hawks
OF – Nneka Jones, Lady Sharks
OF – Melissa Cosgrove, Strikkers
DH – Samantha Kimura, Gordon’s Panthers
UTIL – Cara Maxey, Fresno Force
UTIL – Kenzi Meisenburg, Hot Shots

THIRD TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Leea Harlan, Sudden Impact
P – Kristen Hunter, Sun Supply
P – Kristi Hanks, Hawks
C – Roxanne Staniorski, So. Cal Athletics
1B – Leneah Manuma, Firecrackers
2B – Monique Mejia, O.C. Batbusters
3B – Gina Oaks, Flash D’ Gold
SS – Natasha Watley, So. Cal Athletics
OF – Melinda Moulden, Firecrackers
OF – Shandrika Lee, OC Athletics
OF – Stacy Weeks, Hot Shots
OF – Kassey Lemons, Lil Saints Gold
DH – Amy Dent, Lightning
UTIL – Veronica Nelson, Lady Sharks
UTIL – Erica Beach, Storm

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Gordon’s Panthers, Cypress, CA (6-0)
2. O.C. Batbusters, Santa Ana, CA (5-2)
3. SoCal Athletics, Newport Beach, CA (5-2)
4. Sudden Impact, Chino, CA (6-2)
5t. Fresno Force, Fresno, CA (5-2)
5t. Strikkers, San Jose, CA (4-2)
7t. Flash D’ Gold, Rancho Cucamonga, CA (4-2)
7t. Storm, Phoenix, AZ (4-2)
9t. Stealth, Santa Clarita, CA (3-2)
9t. O.C. Athletics, Westminister, CA (4-2)
9t. TSI Thunderbirds, Vancouver, WA (4-2)
9t. Tulsa Eagles, Tulsa, OK (3-2)
13t. Lil Saints Gold, Phoenix, AZ (3-2)
13t. O.C. Batbusters Davis, Anaheim, CA (3-2)
13t. Lady Sharks, San Jose, CA (2-2)
13t. Dynasty, Waldorf, MD (3-2)
17t. Boone & Darr, Ann Arbor, MI (3-2)
17t. Firecrackers, San Diego, CA (3-2)
17t. Hot Shots, Tempe, AZ (3-2)
17t. Hawks, Spring, TX (3-2)
17t. American Pastime, Upland, CA (3-2)
17t. Pirettes, Corona, CA (1-2)
17t. Sun Supply, Beaverton, OR (3-2)
17t. Choppers, Valencia, CA (3-2)
25t. Cruisers, La Palma, CA (2-2)
25t. Northwest Outlaws, Vancouver, WA (2-2)
25t. Lightning, San Diego, CA (1-2)
25t. NY/NJ Beach Girls, Brooklyn, NY (2-2)
25t. Rebels, San Juan Capistrano, CA (2-2)
25t. Shamrocks, Vienna, VA (2-2)
25t. USA Athletics, Irvine, CA (2-2)
25t. Grapettes, Stockton, CA (2-2)
33t. Metro Express, Pittsburgh, PA (1-2)
33t. Legend, Parker, CO (0-2)
33t. Cruisers, La Palma, CA (1-2)
33t. Vipers, Phoenix, AZ (1-2)
33t. Grand Slam, Uniontown, OH (1-2)
33t. Cats, Tucson, AZ (0-2)
33t. Mad Dogs, Alliance, OH (1-2)
33t. Aphis Ready Mix Gold, Vancouver, WA (1-2)
33t. Hot Stuff, Yorba Linda, CA (0-2)
33t. Humble Cobras, Humble, TX (0-2)
33t. R&R Gold, Stockton, CA (1-2)
33t. Cy-Fair Intruders, Houston, TX (1-2)
33t. Aztecs, Glendale, AZ (0-2)
33t. Windmills, Oak Park, IL (0-2)
33t. Impact Gold, Houston, TX (1-2)
33t. Mustangs Gold, Chattanooga, TN (0-2)
49t. Minors Gold, Corona, CA (0-2)
49t. Power, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)
49t. Thunderbolts, Cottage Grove, MN (0-2)
49t. Heat, Kingwood, TX (0-2)
49t. Renegades, Houston, TX (0-2)
49t. Roadrunners, Tucson, AZ (0-2)
49t. Mizuno Sox, Richardson, TX (0-2)

1997 held at ASA Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on August 4-10.

Champion – Orange County Batbusters, Santa Ana, California
Runner Up – Gordon’s Panthers, La Palma, California

There is an Ada in Oklahoma, and OC in these parts stands for Oklahoma City.

But the 1997 Junior Girls’ Gold National Championship trophy for softball, which Ada predicted and the OC Batbusters won, is going back to California.

The OC Batbusters, who call Orange County home, beat Gordon’s Panthers from La Palma, Calif., 1-0 in Sunday’s final at the Hall of Fame Stadium. An estimated 500 fans were on hand for the event, which concluded a week of intense competition by the top 18-and-under girls teams in the country.

A total of 57 teams — including four from Oklahoma — qualified to compete in the tournament. But Ada Barents could have told everyone at the very beginning who was going to win. Her granddaughter, Jennie Finch, pitched the final four games for the OC Batbusters.

“I told Jennie what I wanted for my birthday,” said Ada, who was celebrating both her 77th birthday and her granddaughter’s victory on Sunday. “I told her just a win. The sky was the limit. “But we didn’t take no airplane ride. We drove 1,200 all the way to get here. It was a good week.”

It was an exceptionally good game for Finch in the final. The 16-year-old had a perfect game through four innings and a no-hitter through five. In the, final two innings, however, she walked two batters and gave up two hits.

“I just wanted to win,” said Finch, who was thinking more of her grandmother and her teammates than a possible perfect game. “And it was good to come out on top. I feel good.”

The win, which was secured in the second inning when the OC Batbusters managed three of their four hits and the only run of the game, stopped one streak. Gordon’s Panthers were the tournament’s defending champions.

Gary Haning, coach of the OC Batbusters, hopes this victory will start another streak, however.

“We tied for 13th last year, but the year before we were national champions,” he said. “But now we want to be national champions every year instead of every other year.”

The Batbusters went 6-0 in the double-elimination event and handed the Gordon’s Panthers (5-2) their only losses. Earlier on Sunday, the Batbusters beat the Panthers 4-2 to send them to the losers bracket.

Not only were the tournament’s champions and runners-up from California, but so were the third-place finishers (Southern California A’s), the fourth-place finishers (Lady Sharks) and one of the fifth-place squads (California Cruisers).

The Northwest Outlaws from Vancouver, Wash., also tied for fifth. Two of Oklahoma’s teams tied for 33rd (the Oklahoma Stealers from Stillwater and the OKC Naturals) and the other two tied for 49th (the Tulsa Eagles and the Ultimate Teal from Washington).

“This is the most competitive tournament we’ve ever played in,” said Hailing, who was also an assistant coach for the Junior World team which scored 126 runs and gave up none in 1995. “This is far more competitive than the Junior Worlds, and our team was brilliant. Our team never stopped trying, never stopped working and never gave up.”

FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Amanda Freed, Gordon’s Panthers
P – Jennie Finch, Orange County Batbusters
P – Jocelyn Forest, Southern California Athletics
C – Jenny Topping, Gordon’s Panthers
1B – Kristin Dennis, Orange County Batbusters
2B – Kelsey Kollen, Gordon’s Panthers
3B – Shawna Feldt, Northwest Outlaws
SS – Andrienne Ratajczak, California Cruisers
OF – Lizzy Lemire, Southern California Athletics
OF – Lindsey Collins, Orange County Batbusters
OF – Anna Smith, Gordon’s Panthers
OF – Arlette Sunseri, Strikkers
DH – Samantha Kimura, Gordon’s Panthers
UTIL – Chrissy Buck, Southern California Athletics
UTIL – Kirsten Voak, San Jose Lady Sharks

SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Crystal Draper, Northwest Outlaws
P – Sarah Caudle, San Jose Lady Sharks
P – Shannon Walsh, Valencia Choppers
C – Briana Chambliss, Running Rebels Gold
1B – Veronica Nelson, San Jose Lady Sharks
2B – Amanda Melton, Valencia Choppers
3B – Erica Reynolds, Running Rebels Gold
SS – Christie Rosenblad, Orange County Batbusters
OF – Shyamala White, San Jose Lady Sharks
OF – Nicole Giordano, Valencia Choppers
OF – Jade Gosse, Strikkers
OF – Sasha Campbell, Southern California Athletics
DH – Robin Peet, Southern California Athletics
UTIL – Robin Walker, Gordon’s Panthers
UTIL – Marissa Young, Gordon’s Panthers

THIRD TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Crystal Draper, Southern California Stealth
P – Sarah Caudle, California Pirettes
P – Shannon Walsh, Houston Renegades
C – Briana Chambliss, Northwest Outlaws
1B – Veronica Nelson, Houston Renegades
2B – Amanda Melton, Valencia Choppers
3B – Erica Reynolds, Nor Cal Tremors
SS – Christie Rosenblad, Orland Park Sparks Red
OF – Shyamala White, PGSA Force
OF – Nicole Giordano, California Cruisers
DH – Jade Gosse, Southern California Athletics
UTIL – Sasha Campbell, California Cruisers
UTIL – Robin Peet, California Pirettes
UTIL – Robin Walker, Fresno Force
UTIL – Marissa Young, Humble Cobras

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Orange County Batbusters, Santa Ana, CA (6-0)
2. Gordon’s Panthers, Le Palma, CA (5-2)
3. Southern California Athletics, Foothill Ranch, CA (6-2)
4. San Jose Lady Sharks, San Jose, CA (4-2)
5t. California Cruisers, La Palma, CA (5-2)
5t. Northwest Outlaws, Vancouver, WA (4-2)
7t. Strikkers, San Jose, CA (5-2)
7t. Valencia Choppers, Valencia, CA (3-2)
9t. Fresno Force, Fresno, CA (4-2)
9t. Southern California Stealth, Santa Clarita, CA (4-2)
9t. California Pirettes, Corona, CA (2-2)
9t. Houston Renegades, Houston, TX (5-2)
13t. Nor Cal Tremors, Lodi, CA (3-2)
13t. Running Rebels Gold, Stockton, CA (3-2)
13t. PGSA Force, Pasadena, TX (3-2)
13t. Orland Park Sparks Red, Orland Park, IL (2-2)
17t. Arizona Ramblers, Scottsdale, AZ (3-2)
17t. Hot Stuff, Yorba Linda, CA (3-2)
17t. Texas Travelers, Austin, TX (3-2)
17t. Humble Cobras, Humble, TX (2-2)
17t. Southern California Firecrackers, San Diego, CA (3-2)
17t. Southern California Lightning, San Diego, CA (2-2)
17t. Spring Klein Hawks, Conroe, TX (2-2)
17t. California Dynasty, Corona, CA (2-2)
25t. Easton Panthers Gold, Sylmar, CA (2-2)
25t. Hot Shots, Tempe, AZ (2-2)
25t. San Diego Thunder Gold, San Diego, CA (2-2)
25t. Esko Ice, Esko, MN (2-2)
25t. Arizona Cats Gold, Tucson, AZ (2-2)
25t. California Grapettes, Stockton, CA (2-2)
25t. Texas Challengers, West Columbia, TX (2-2)
25t. Lil Saints Gold, Phoenix, AZ (2-2)
33t. Oklahoma Stealers, Sand Springs, OK (1-2)
33t. Running Rebels Gold, Stockton, CA (1-2)
33t. California Breeze, Sacramento, CA (1-2)
33t. Thunderboltz, Bloomington, MN (1-2)
33t. Mustangs Gold, Chattanooga, TN (1-2)
33t. Clearwater Lady Bombers, Clearwater, FL (1-2)
33t. Oak Park Windmills, Oak Park, IL (1-2)
33t. D. T. Gunners, Centerville, VA (1-2)
33t. Oklahoma City Naturals, Oklahoma City, OK (1-2)
33t. Texas Impact Gold, Houston, TX (1-2)
33t. Red Hots, Dallas, TX (1-2)
33t. Shamrocks, Vienna, VA (1-2)
33t. Garland Legends, Garland, TX (0-2)
33t. Colorado Legends Gold, Parker, CO (0-2)
33t. Grand Rapids Blaze, Grand Rapids, MI (0-2)
33t. Stallions, Dallas, TX (0-2)
49t. Tulsa Eagles, Tulsa, OK (0-2)
49t. Aphis Ready Mix Gold, Vancouver, WA (0-2)
49t. Boone & Darr, Ann Arbor, MI (0-2)
49t. Phoenix Storm-Swan, Phoenix, AZ (0-2)
49t. Metro Express, Carnegie, PA (0-2)
49t. Parker Eagles, Chattanooga, TN (0-2)
49t. Katy Hardliners, Katy, TX (0-2)
49t. Ultimate Teal, Washington, OK (0-2)
49t. Whiteford Sharks, Plainfield, IL (0-2)

The OC Batbusters of Santa Ana, California celebrate after winning the Girls 18-and-under Gold National Championship at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium. The Batbusters defeated Gordon’s Panthers of La Palma, California, 1-0 to win the softball championship. The Panthers were the defending champions.

1996 held at Louis Park Softball Complex in Stockton, California on July 31-August 4.

Champion – Gordon’s Panthers, La Palma, California (34-13-2)
Runner Up – Easton Panthers Gold, Sylmar, California (62-4)

Gordon’s Panthers of La Palma, California rode Amanda Freed’s two-hitter and Stacey Nuveman’s solo home run to a 2-0 victor of Panthers Gold of Sylmar, California in the championship game of the ASA 18 and under GOLD Nationals at Louis Park.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Gordon’s Panthers, La Palma, CA (5-0)
2. Easton Panthers Gold, Sylmar, CA (7-2)
3. Southern California Lightning, San Diego, CA (4-2)
4. Strikkers-Sorci, San Jose, CA (6-2)
5t. Hot Stuff, Yorba Linda, CA (3-2)
5t. Southern California Athletics, Huntington Beach, CA (3-2)
7t. Force, Houston, TX (5-2)
7t. North California Tremors, Lodi, CA (3-2)
9t. Force Pink, Fresno, CA (3-2)
9t. Lil Saints Gold, Phoenix, AZ (3-2)
9t. California Breeze, Sacramento, CA (4-2)
9t. Stealth, Northridge, CA (2-2)
13t. The Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (2-2)
13t. Orange County Batbusters, Santa Ana, CA (2-2)
13t. Frost Cutlery Falcons, Chattanooga, TN (3-2)
13t. California Pirettes, Corona, CA (3-2)
17t. Arizona Cats, Tucson, AZ (1-2)
17t. Houston Renegades, Houston, TX (1-2)
17t. Valencia Choppers, Valencia, CA (1-2)
17t. California Grapettes, Stockton, CA (2-2)
17t. Tulsa Eagles, Tulsa, OK (1-2)
17t. California Cruisers, Cypress, CA (1-2)
17t. Firecrackers, Fountain Valley, CA (1-2)
17t. Lady Sharks, San Jose, CA (1-2)
25t. Boom & Darr, Ann Arbor, MI (0-2)
25t. California Thunder, Fullerton, CA (0-2)
25t. Southern Attack, Nashville, TN (1-2)
25t. Rockets, Silverlake, KS (0-2)
25t. OKC Naturals, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)
25t. California Waves Gold, Santa Barbara, CA (1-2)
25t. Merced Bandits, Merced, CA (0-2)
25t. Dynasty, Corona, CA (0-2)
33t. Runnin’ Rebels Gold, Stockton, CA (0-2)
33t. San Diego Power, Lakeside, CA (0-2)
33t. Hotshots, Phoenix, AZ (0-2)
33t. California Lancers, Sacramento, CA (0-2)