The Red Thunder 16U team ended it summer season by winning the 9th Annual Berkeley "B" Fastpitch Softball Tournament. This two day tournament was highlighted with the team from Pennsauken, NJ winning 4 games in a row to win the Championship title.
The first game was Saturday morning against the home team Bekeley Brats. The Red Thunder scored 3 runs in each of the first 3 innings and added the tenth in the fifth to win 10-0. Stephanie Sylvia pitched 3 perfect innings, striking out 7 and Jesse Trout finished the last 2, allowing only one hit. McKenna Shafer and Amy Miller had 3 hits each. Later in the day, the East Fishkill (NY) All-Starz tried their luck. The Red Thunder stayed hot with the stick and banged out a 9-1 victory. Once again, Amy Miller led the attack with 3 hits and 3 runs. Pitcher Theresa Reyes had 8 K's and allowed only 2 hits.
After the evening rains and some shortened games in the morning, the Red Thunder was seeded #1. The Bristol (PA) Bullets moved into the semi-finals against the Red Thunder. Once again, the bats were doing their job, scoring 4 runs in the first, 2 in the second and 3 each in the 4th and 5th, for a 12-0 win. Jesse Trout faced the minimum 12 batters, striking out 7 and allowing only one walk. The runner was doubled off of second on a line drive. Kristen Miller had 3 hits, a double and 3 RBIs.
The NY Diamond Queens beat the East Fishkill All-Starz 4-2 to move to the championship game against the Red Thunder. Once again, the Thunder scored in the first to take an early 1-0 lead. NY threatened in the third, putting runners at the corners with 1 out. But the defense rose to the occasion and stopped the threat. Some good base running and timely hitting helped to score 4 runs in the home half of the third. The pitching and defense was just too much for the Diamond Queens to over come, as the Red Thunder put the final nail in the coffin scoring 4 more runs in the fifth, the final swing sending a Steph Sylvia ball flying over the centerfielders head for a 2 run double to end the game. Amy Miller (7 for 11, 7 RBIs 1 double and 2 Sacs) and McKenna Shafer (7 for 12, 9 runs and 2 BBs) were the offensive heroes. The pitching staff was fabulous all weekend allowing only 4 hits, 1 run and striking out 30 in only 19 innings. They threw a no-hitter, two 1-hitters and a 2-hitter.
The Coaches and fans of the Red Thunder 16U would like to congratulate the players on their summer and their finally winning a tournament! The Red Thunder 16U are: McKenna Shafer, Amy Miller, Kristyn Miller, Ashley Dunn, Stephanie Sylvia, Heather Schmidt, Randi Beatrice, Theresa Reyes, Kerry Hanson, Kim Zlupko and Jesse Trout. Unable to make this weekend were players Alli Boris, Krissy Rup and Krystal Wilhelm.
