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  • Manassas Journal Messenger: Game Ball for a Gamer (08/31/2003)
  • 18U Press Release: Shamrocks Runners-Up at ASA Gold Nationals (08/20/2003)
  • Loudoun Times-Mirror: Shamrocks, Fire and Ice Fortify National Reputations (08/20/2003)

  • 18U Press Release:
    Shamrocks Gain National Respect in Colorado

    by Al Anch

          Since January Head Coach Tommy Orndorff has been telling his 18 and Under Shamrocks team they have Top 10 potential at this year’s ASA Gold National Tournament in Broken Arrow, OK from August 5 through August 11th. A bold statement, to say the least, since teams from California, Texas and Florida have dominated the National Tournament in recent years. But so far, Orndorff has found no doubters on this year’s roster and the team has gained a great deal of national recognition in recent weeks. Three weeks ago the Shamrocks went undefeated (7-0) and won the Pennsbury Invitational, which featured 80 teams from the Midwest, the east coast and Canada. The following weekend the team traveled to Indianapolis where they were again undefeated (5-0) as they won the 14-team ASA Gold Sector Qualifier and a berth to ASA Gold Nationals.

          Last week the Shamrocks packed their bags and their 22-1-1 record and headed off to Boulder, Colorado to square off against the best teams in the country. Many consider this tournament to be a preview of Nationals as 81 teams came from all over the country including 17 from California, 9 from Texas and 7 each from Arizona and Florida. By the final day of the weeklong tournament, the Shamrocks were the talk of Boulder as they finished 3rd out of 81 teams with an overall record of 12-1-1. The “Rocks” made an immediate impression when they played 3 non-tournament games the day before pool play and defeated California’s Sudden Impact 6-4, California’s Valley Breeze 5-4 and tied the California Renegades 1-1. With confidence building rapidly the team looked forward to playing in what was considered one of the 3 toughest pools in the tournament. And play they did as they went undefeated in pool play with 6 straight wins including a 2-1 win over the two time defending Gold National Champion Katy Cruisers (TX), a 3-0 win over the Orange County-Davis Batbusters (CA) who placed 3rd at last year’s Nationals, a 2-0 win over the Fresno Force (CA) and a 5-1 win over the Oklahoma Twisters, both of whom already qualified for this year’s National Tournament, a 9-0 win over the Missouri Warcats and a 7-0 win over the PBG Lady Gators (FL). The Shamrocks entered single elimination play on a roll as they were crowned pool champions with a perfect 6-0 record and outscored their quality competition by a total of 28-2. In the single elimination portion, the Shamrocks continued to play well and impress as they opened with a 6-0 win over the Georgia Fighting Irish (top 10 at 2001 Nationals). They next defeated the Miami Waves 1-0 and the Rotten Apples (NJ) 4-0 to earn a spot in the final 8 on the last day of the tournament. The “Rocks” continued their winning ways on the last day with an impressive 4-1 win over the Tampa Mustangs before falling 9-4 to the Orange County-Haning Batbusters (CA) in the semi-final game. The Batbusters then went on to defeat the California Cruisers 2-1 in the Championship Game.

          The Shamrocks, now 34-2-2 on the year completed their most successful Colorado trip ever with an overall record of 12-1-1 and a most impressive 3rd place finish – the only time they have ever finished in the Top 10 in Colorado. Senior All Met Pitcher and Tennessee bound Christy Anch was a perfect 7-0 with 1 save as she allowed only 4 earned runs in 43 innings while striking out 53 batters and walking only 3. Anch is now 19-0 on the season with 156 strikeouts in 103 innings and an ERA of 0.34. Pitching mate Brittany Detwiler (13-2-1) was also impressive as she went 5-1-1 with 4 shutouts, an ERA of 1.81 and 26 strikeouts. On offense, the Shamrocks were led by All Met and Virginia Tech bound Kelly Brown, McDonough HS standout Dani Woods and All Met/Fairfax Journal Player of the Year Courtney Bures from Stonewall Jackson HS. Right fielder Kelly Brown batted .575 with a team high 23 hits, 3 doubles, 6 rbi’s, 2 stolen bases and 9 runs scored. First baseman Dani Woods batted .474 with 3 homeruns, 4 doubles, a triple and 14 rbi’s and shortstop Courtney Bures batted .457 with 2 homeruns, 2 doubles, a triple, 8 rbi’s and 2 stolen bases. Notre Dame’s Annie Dell’Aria and Brooke Sorber (Mount Vernon HS) batted .385 and .350 respectively. The Shamrocks are idle this weekend as they prepare for Shamrock Camp on July 8-11 and July 15-18 at Barcroft Park in Arlington – for additional information contact Head Coach and Camp Director Tommy Orndorff at 703-938-8031. The Shamrocks next play in the Heatwave Pony Tournament in Northern Virginia the weekend of July 13th.