1998 16 & Under Games Summary

      A winter of hard practice paid an early dividend as "da �Rocks" went undefeated in the Pony National Qualifier in Catonsville, MD on May 22-23. In Saturday�s seeding round, they soundly defeated a pair of teams from Maryland. In game one, Alexis Thurlow (Woodson) pitched solid one-hit shutout.. Kat Peck (Oakton) also had a fine performance, giving up only 2 hits. In the Saturday games, Leigh Murray (Woodson) led the offensive barrage, going 5 for 7 at the plate with 3 homeruns and an awesome 9 RBIs. Other multiple-hit games were turned in by Alexis Thurlow (3 for 3), Kelley Pastic (Chantilly), Jenn Wynn (Herndon), Aimee Bryan (Home), and Megan Smith (Parkview).

      The �Rocks came out smokin� on Sunday, and soundly defeated all 3 opponents on the way to the Championship. Amy Scott and Erin Puente, both of O�Connell HS, drove much of the night after their State HS finals in Chesapeake, VA to join the team on Sunday. As the day progressed, the opponents got tougher, but the Shamrocks displayed an impressive arsenal of offensive and defensive weapons, establishing dominance early and coasting to easy victories. In the quarterfinal the Maryland Flames fell 11-0. Alexis Thurlow pitched a no-hit shutout, striking out 8. Caitlin Murphy (Madison) had 3 RBIs. Thurlow, Puente, and Bryan had a pair of hits each.

      The semi final matched the Shamrocks against another local team, the Vienna Stars. After a rocky start, having the first 2 batters of the game strike out, the Shamrocks reverted to the short game, and their offensive prowess became evident. Leigh Murray singled up the middle, followed by a combination of forced errors, walks, stolen bases, and precision bunting. When the dust cleared, the score was 2-0. The Stars showed that they came to play, as they came back in the 2nd, scoring on a walk and a double to deep right field by former Shamrock J.R. Rhodan. The �Rocks put the game out of reach in the 3rd as they rallied for 5 more runs, this time showing that they can hit also. Leigh Murray started it off again with a single to center. Jenn Wynn�s perfect bunt was misplayed, and Erin Puente sacrificed the runners to 2nd and 3rd. Pitcher Kat Peck followed with a clutch line shot single, scoring both runners. Catcher Aimee Bryan singled, followed by a walk to Caitlin Murphy. Megan Smith grounded to 2nd, and the throw was late to the plate. Perfectly executed surprise bunts by Kelley Pastic and Alexis Thurlow made the score 7-1 at the end of 3 innings. The 4th inning started off with very unusual back to back Shamrock errors. Another former Shamrock, Shannon McCurdy, grounded to 2nd scoring the final Stars� run. The Shamrocks scored again in the last inning as Puente singled, stole 2nd, and scored on an Aimee Bryan single up the middle. Final score 8-2.

      The �Rocks took the championship with an impressive 8-1 defeat of the Severna Park (MD) Hornets. They continued their pattern of putting the game out of reach early and coasting to victory. Leadoff hitter, Kelley Pastic started the game off by blasting a long triple to right. Alexis Thurlow followed with a perfect bunt, easily scoring Pastic. Erin Puente drove in Murray with a base hit. Puente quickly stole 2nd and scored on a line shot up the middle Kathryn Peck. The Shammies picked up another run in the 3rd inning as they caught the defense sleeping. Caitlin Murphy stole 3rd base, forcing a wild throw, allowing her to score. The �Rocks stellar defense robbed a Hornets blast to left center field when the runner was tagged at the plate on an impressive 8-6-2 relay. Shammies picked up another run in the 4th. Amy Scott (O�Connell) had a 2-out single, Murray walked, and Jenn Wynn (Herndon) followed with an RBI single. The Hornets scored their solo run on a base hit followed by two errors. The �Rocks finished in style as they pulled away at the finish. Pastic doubled,and Amy Scott�s singled and quickly stole 2nd. Leigh Murray continued her offensive tear driving in both runners with a hard shot up the middle. Murray scored on Erin Puente�s infield grounder.

      Half of the team members were still involved in their HS playoffs, which allows them to play only part time or not at all. The Shamrocks will be even stronger when all players are available. The Shamrocks travel to Atlantic City for Memorial Day weekend, playing in a tough 18-Under tournament. Back to Top



Shamrocks Win the NSA 18 and Under National Qualifier
May 28-30

Game 2      Shamrocks 11 � Renegades 2

      The Renegades scored first in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Three solid hits drove in one run and left runners at 2nd and 3rd with one out and the bases loaded. The Shamrocks defense stiffened, however, ending the inning with the score Renegades 1 � Shamrocks 0. The �Rocks came right back in the 4th inning. A fielder�s choice, a Peck single and a Puente sacrifice put runners at 2nd and 3rd, and Bryan brought everybody in with a 3-run homer. The �Rocks brought in five more runs in the 5th with a barrage of hits by Brown, Murray, Wynn, Peck, and Bryan. A Renegades rally in the 5th loaded the bases, but the �Rocks hung tough and the Renegades failed to score. Another barrage of hits by Brown, Wynn, and Peck, and some costly errors, brought the score to 11-1 after 5 � innings. Two Renegade hits in the bottom of the 6th brought in one run before the game ended with the score Shamrocks 11 � Renegades 2.

Game 3      Shamrocks 6 � Hurricanes 2

      The �Rocks blasted to a 3 run lead in the top of the 2nd inning. The bases loaded on an error, bunt hit, and a walk. A wild pitch brought in one run. Scott sacrificed in Puente. A Smith base hit brought in Murphy. In the top of the 4th, Bryan stroked a home run, and a walk, sacrifice, and error brought in Murphy, bringing the score to 5-0. The Hurricanes picked up a solo run in the 4th inning on a base hit, walk, and another single. The �Rocks got that run back in the 5th inning on a Murray homer, making the final score Shamrock 6 � Hurricanes 1.

Game 4      Shamrocks 10 � PA Krunch 1

      The Shamrocks took a 2 run lead in the 2nd inning on a double by Scott, that scored Wynn and Bryan, who got on base on a single and a walk, respectively. The Shamrocks� drive continued in the top of the 3rd inning, scoring five runs on singles by Brown, Pastic, and Murray, a walk to Peck, topped off with a 3-run homer by Peck. The Krunch fought back in the bottom of the 3rd, scoring one run on three singles, and making the score 7-1 after four full innings. The �Rocks drove in three more runs in the top of the 5th inning on a walk to Wynn, a Peck single, a Thurlow, and another Scott base hit.

Game 5      Shamrocks 5 � Krunch 3

      The �Rocks battled the Krunch, and a rash of errors, to take the championship game by the score of 5 to 3. The Krunch took a quick lead in the top of the 1st inning, scoring one run on three Shamrock frumps. The �Rocks got it together in the bottom of the second, scoring twice. Wynn poked a single up the middle, Bryan sacrificed, and back to back singles by Thurlow and Scott scored a run. A Smith single drove in run number two. The Krunch picked up two runs on a pair of �Rock flops in the top of 3rd, pulling in front 3-2. The �Rocks recovered one of the runs in the bottom of the 3rd on a Murray home run, tieing the score at 3. The Shammies took the lead in the bottom of the 5th inning on a run scored by a Murray triple and Wynn single. The �Rocks picked up an insurance run in the bottom of the 6th on a Scott double and Murphy single. Back to Top



Shamrocks Reach Semi-Finals In Bay Country Moose 18U Invitational
Saturday, June 5th

The Shamrocks win 5, tie 1, and drop 2 at the Bay Country Moose Invitational, including a split with the Maryland Dynasty.

Game 1      Shamrocks 2 - Dynasty 0

      The �Rocks jumped to a two run lead in the bottom of the 1st on a Murray home run. Both teams put runners on throughout the game, but defense dominated in this game, which ended in a Shamrocks� 2-0 win.

Game 2      Cardinals 1 - Shamrocks 0

      In another game dominated by defense, a �Rocks error in the top of the 5th inning let in the only run of the game.

Game 3      Shamrocks 14 - Heartbreakers

      �Rocks bats came alive in this game. Shamrocks� scoring began in the top of the 2nd inning. Bryan ripped a triple, Peck walked, and Puente bunted Peck to second base. Murphy drove in Bryan on an infield sacrifice. Smith ripped a double that drove in Peck. Pastic drove in Smith on a single. The Shammies picked up four more runs in the top of the 3rd inning. Murray scored on two pass balls after reaching on a double. Wynn and Bryan walked, and both scored on a Puente base hit. Puente later stole home for run number 3 of the inning. A �barrage of hits in the top of the 4th inning brought in 4 more runs. Scott ripped a double, and Wynn, Bryan, and Peck each hit singles. An error, Puente single, and Peck double brought in the three final Shamrocks� runs in the tope of the 7th inning. The Heartbreakers scored their solo run in the bottom of the 6th inning on a pair of singles.

Game 4      Shamrocks 3 � Richmond Diamonds 1

      The game was scoreless in this tough defensive match, until the Diamonds scored one run in the bottom of the 6th inning on a single, sacrifice, and single. The �Rocks came back in the top of the 7th with 3 runs. With Wynn on 3rd and Puente on 1st, Peck ripped a 2 RBI double and later scored on an error.

Sunday, June 6th

Game 5      Shamrocks 3 � Maryland Merchants 3 (tie)

      This exciting match saw the Shamrocks take the lead, the Merchants first tie the score and then pull ahead, and then the "Rocks tying it up. The Shamrocks scored first in the top of the 3rd inning on a Murray triple that drove in Murphy who had reached on an error. The second Shamrocks run came in the top of the 4th inning when Bryan, who reached on an error and advanced to 3rd base on a Puente sacrifice, scored on a bunt play by Thurlow. The Merchants came right back to tie the score in the bottom of the 4th inning on a single, double, and sacrifice fly. In the top of the 6th inning the Merchants pulled ahead by driving in a run on a triple and a single, taking the lead 3-2. The �Rocks came back in the top of the 7th on a walk, Brown sacrifice, and Pastic single. The game was called a tie at the end of 7 innings because of time limit.

Game 6      Shamrocks 13 � Marylanders 18U 1

      The �Rocks scored in every inning. The Shamrocks drove in 6 runs in the first inning on hits by Murray, Bryan, Smith, and Pastic, and a sacrifice fly by Wacker, all of which was helped by 4 defensive errors. A walk and 3 defensive errors brought in 2 more runs in the 2nd inning. Thurlow drove in Scott and Murray in the 3rd inning with a double. Brown ripped a 3 run homer in the bottom of the 4th inning, ending the Shamrocks� scoring at 13. The Marylanders scored their solo run in the top of the 4th inning on 2 base hits and a fielder�s choice.

Game 7      Shamrocks 2 � Redbirds 18U 1

      In a hard-fought defensive game, the team that made the fewer errors decided the winner. The Shamrocks scored their 2 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. The �Rocks set up a score situation on a Puente single, Murphy walk, and Wolfrey sacrifice bunt. The following play at the plate on a Smith fielder�s choice put Puente out on a nice Redbirds� defensive play. But a wild pitch and error brought in two �Rocks, making the score 2-0. The Redbirds picked up their solo run in the top of the 5th on two base hits.

Game 8      Dynasty 4 � Shamrocks 1

      The Dynasty picked up 3 quick runs in the bottom of the 1st on a 3-run homer, and their 4th run in the bottom of the 5th inning on a leadoff double and infield error. The Shamrocks scored their solo run in the top of the 2nd inning on singles by Bryan, Murphy, and Smith. Back to Top



�Rocks Qualify For AFA Nationals But Bow To Stars 2-1 In Extra-Inning Championship Contest
June 12-13

Game 1      Shamrocks 5 � Midas Touch 2

      The �Rocks scored twice in the bottom of the 1st inning on a Brown single, an infield error, and a Murray single. The Midas Touch came back in the top of the 2nd inning with one run that walked and later scored in a play at the plate. The Shamrocks again scored twice in the bottom of the 2nd inning. A Pastic single drove in Murray who was walked, and Murray sacrificed in Murphy who reached on a single. The �Rocks scored their fifth and final run in the bottom of the 3rd inning, on a Thurlow sac bunt that drove in Bryan who reached on a single. The Midas Touch scored their second run in the top of the 4th on an outfield error.

Game 2      Shamrocks 8 � Heat 0

      The �Rocks blasted five runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Wacker walked, advanced on a Brown sacrifice, and scored on a Pastic bunt single. Murray ripped a double, putting runners at 2nd and 3rd. Wynn drove in Pastic on a base hit. Bryan drove in Murray and Wynn with a double. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FIFTH RUN? In the bottom of the 4th inning Pastic sacrificed in Wolfrey who had walked. Wacker tried to steal home but was out on the tag. The final two runs came in the bottom of the 6th inning on back to back outfield singles by Brown and Pastic, and a Murray sacrifice.

Game 3      Shamrocks 4 - 14U Rotten Apples 0

      This younger team, drawn from diverse areas of New Jersey, played very impressively. We are sure that we will be hearing more of them as they continue to play together. The �Rocks brought in their first run in the bottom of the 1st inning on a walk, two sacrifices, and a Wynn single. The second run came in the bottom of the 3rd when Pastic, who moved to 3rd on her single and two sacrifices, stole home. The final two runs crossed the plate in the bottom of the 4th inning on an infield error, a walk, and a Thurlow base hit.

Game 4      Shamrocks 17 � Patriots 3

      The Patriots got on the scoreboard in the top of the f1st inning on two infield errors, a sacrifice, and a base hit. The �Rocks roared back in the bottom of the 2nd inning with 7 runs. Scott hit a single, Smith bunted safely, and Wolfrey walked. A run crossed the plate on an illegal pitch. Wacker then was walked. Brown drove in two runs on a base hit and a third run scored on an overthrow. Puente walked. Brown and Puente scored on a Bryan single. Bryan scored on a triple by Murphy, who was tagged out at home. The pounding continued in the 3rd and 4th innings. In the 3rd inning, singles by Smith, Brown, Thurlow, and Bryan, a walk to Scott, and two errors brought in 5 more runs. Another 5 runs crossed the plate in the bottom of the 4th inning on hits by Scott, Smith, Wacker, Brown, Puente, Bryan, and Murphy, a Thurlow sacrifice, and one error. The Patriots collected their third run in the top of the 5th inning on a base hit and two infield errors.

Game 5      Shamrocks 2 � Stafford Surge 0
Semi-Final

      This solid defensive contest was decided by international tiebreaker. A Brown double brought in the runner on 2nd base. After a sacrifice that moved Brown to 3rd base, an infield error let Brown score the second run.

Game 6      Vienna Stars 2 � Shamrocks 1
Championship Game

      The Shamrocks scored once in the top of the 2nd inning on a Puente triple and a Murphy single. The Stars stopped what would have been the second Shamrocks� run in an exciting play at the plate in the top of the 4th inning. They went on to drive in two runs in the bottom of the 7th inning on a walk, back to back singles which brought in the tying run, and an infield error which drove in the winning run.