2008 12U Shamrocks Girls Softball

NSA World Series Nationals - July 2008

NSA World Series Nationals - July 2008
The Shamrocks wrapped up their season with a trip to the NSA World Series in Columbus, Ohio where they faced some of the top teams in the country. Although the ultimate goal of winning the NSA national championship was not realized, the Shamrocks battled for some hard fought victories and had a great time at all of the festivities associated with a national tournament. The National quest ended on a lucky double play after a huge prior victory in bracket play. The Shamrocks final 2008 season record was 40-14-2. Congratulations to the players for the Shamrocks 2007-2008 for a great season!

Shamrocks Take 3rd at USSSA Mid-Atlantic Championship

Shamrocks Take 3rd at USSSA Mid-Atlantic Championship
The Shamrocks traveled to Pennsylvania once again to compete with a strong field of teams in this annual USSSA event. The Shamrocks had a single loss on Saturday to the eventual tournament runner-up. The Shamrock bats once again came alive at key moments as they battled through the elimination rounds on Sunday all the way to the semi finals before heavy rains ended the event. The Shamrocks were poised to head to the Championship. This tournament served as an excellent tune-up as the Shamrocks prepare to challenge for our goal at the start of the season, winning THE national championship.

Shamrocks Finish 5th at NSA State Championships, June 28-29

Shamrocks Finish 5th at NSA State Championships, June 28-29
The Shamrocks traveled to Roanoke, Virginia to compete with 28 of the best teams the state has to offer. The highlight of the weekend was a hard fought victory in the elimination round against a very good Yorktown Revolution team. A strong finish 5th, with 2 losses, one to the 2nd place finisher. The Shamrocks continue to improve and work hard in preparation for goal of winning the national championship in late summer.

Shamrocks are Champions at ASA Tournament, June 21-22

Shamrocks are Champions at ASA Tournament, June 21-22
The Shamrocks traveled west to compete at an ASA event attended by teams from four states. The Shamrock pitching was superb and the bats were relentless in outscoring their opponents 52-6 on the way to an undefeated weekend and championship trophy on Sunday afternoon. The Shamrocks have now won 30 games and lost just 7 this spring/summer season.

Shamrocks Finish 3rd at Colonial Invitational, June 13-15

Shamrocks Finish 3rd at Colonial Invitational, June 13-15
The Shamrocks traveled to Williamsburg, Virginia to compete in the 7th annual Colonial Invitational. The field of 24 included some of the top teams in the region from Delaware to Virginia Beach. The heat was on as temperatures both days soared to 100 degrees with oppressive humidity making it feel more like 110+ degrees on the field. The Shamrocks opened the tournament with a win over Orion Hunter in pool play Saturday followed by a narrow one run loss to the Diamond State Swoop, the eventual tournament champion. The final pool play game of the day saw the Shamrocks roll to a 13-6 victory resulting in a first round bye in the championship bracket on Sunday. Championship play on Sunday was highlighted by nothing short of a back and forth nail biting thriller. The Virginia Lady Titans scored in their top half of ITB take a one run lead but were denied another run when a perfect throw from the outfielder in deep left center field cut down a runner trying to stretch a double. Shamrocks offense started with a single and drove in a run in the bottom half of ITB followed by a crushing triple to right center to end the marathon and advance the Shamrocks to the semi finals.

Memorial Day Madness, May 24-25

Memorial Day Madness, May 24-25
Shamrocks 12U traveled to Pennsylvania to compete in the annual Memorial Day Madness three day tournament. Thirty teams from six states and Canada competed at the 12U level. We had asked the tournament director to schedule us playing the very best and toughest teams in pool play on Saturday and Sunday. Our request was met as we played several teams that advanced to the Gold Championship bracket on Monday. Our pitching was outstanding and we outscored our opponents 58-16 in six pool play games, the second highest offensive output in the tournament. We emerged a 7 seed in the Gold Championship bracket on Monday and went on to win our fifth consecutive game to advance the 1/4 final game. Jumping out early and never trailing our 1/4 final game through 5 innings a 3-1 lead slipped away in the 6th inning to the eventual tournament champions. We placed in the elite 8 and our final game was the “real Championship game” for that tournament. The tough competition was welcomed as it helped us prepare for our National Championship quest in July.

Tournament #5, May 3-4

Tournament #5, May 3-4
Playing up yet again at the 14U level, the Shamrocks 12U played 5 games against some of the best 14U teams in the mid atlantic region. The Shamrocks played tough in the semifinal game of the tournament losing a hard fought 1 run game and just missing an opportunity to play in the championship game. Proving that we can compete and win at the 14U level was again demonstrated by our players for the second week in a row. The Shamrocks were the only 12U team in this impressive group of 14U teams. It was an excellent performance by the Shamrocks 12's against very well coached and talented 14U teams. Traveling anywhere in the country to seek out the best competition is common for the Shamrocks and this years 12U team is no exception.

Tournament #4 “The Shootout”, April 26-27

Tournament #4 “The Shootout”, April 26-27
Shamrocks 12U in their first outing playing up at 14U’s, took 2nd in a rain shortened event. Going 2-1 on Saturday, losing to the #1 seed by a late 6th inning base hit 4-3, put us ready to win it on Sunday. We scored 24 runs on 24 hits as our bats we on fire for all three games on Saturday. Our opponents scored 5 runs on 7 hits in 3 games on Saturday. For the season in 4 tournaments, Shamrocks 12’s have scored 171 runs, allowing only 34 runs. We are averaging nearly 9 runs per game and allowing only just under 2 runs per game, this for the season through 20 games so far.
The Shamrocks 12U are 17-2-1. We have outscored opponents by a factor of 5, while being the Champions twice, taking 2nd twice. We look to play up as soon as possible to continue to extend our search for the best competition we can find. Excellent weekend “Protecting This House” that the Shamrocks built!

Mountain Fever Showdown, April 12-13

Mountain Fever Showdown, April 12-13
The Shamrocks brought back another Championship. In our first three tournaments of the year, we have appeared in all three Championships, winning 2. In 6 games, our offense produced 59 runs while allowing 13 runs. We didn't lose, but were seeded 4th in pool play on Saturday. We fought back in three games Sunday, beating the undefeated 1st seed to take the Championship. The competition was excellent with 13 talented teams, but the Shamrocks came out on top. For the season, the Shamrocks have scored 147 runs to 26 given up. The Shamrocks bats have been on fire, averaging nearly 10 runs per game and only allowing 1.6 runs. Another GREAT weekend and huge WIN!! Congratulations girls!

PONY Spring Breakout, March 29-30

PONY Spring Breakout, March 29-30
Another great performance and an appearance in the Championship. Shamrocks 12U have scored 88 runs in 11 games, we are averaging nearly 8 runs per game. We are 10-1. We came in 2nd this weekend in a hard fought battle that went back and forth to the end. We played an excellent team and respect the chance to compete and improve playing the best teams as this season moves on. 88 runs demonstrates the power of the Shamrocks offense. Congratulations on this performance girls!

St. Patricks Day Open, March 14-15

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St. Patricks Day Open, March 14-15
Shamrocks 12U came out strong in the first tournament for 2008. It was fitting for the Shamrocks to win the St. Patricks Day Open over the March 14-15 weekend. After scoring 40 runs in 5 games, allowing only 3 runs to be scored on us, the Shamrocks went 5-0 to win the tournament in a championship game with the SYA Xplosion. Shamrock 12U's are off to a great start PROTECTING THE HOUSE, that the Shamrocks built! Congratulations girls!