By Jason Hanes

Making its debut at the Myrtle Beach Summer Nationals, Team Long Island 2024 shook off Wednesday’s rain cancelation to win its qualifying bracket pool with a 4-1 victory over NJ Cheetahs – Voluntad Thursday afternoon.

“We took the rain cancelation as an opportunity to come out quick,” said Team Long Island 2024 head coach Marie Racano. “I think in our second game, we were a little high off of our huge offensive run in the first game. I think we got a little comfortable, not realizing that we were going to have to do it again and not realizing that we were going to have to string our hits together.”

After a 14-0 win in game one of the day, runs would be at a premium in the matchup against NJ Cheetahs – Voluntad. The game would turn in the third inning, however, as three runs came home to give Team Long Island 2024 a lead that would last. With runners on the corners, Bella Cruz would beat out an infield hit to drive in a run, and after the throw to first got away, there were runners on second and third. After a foul out left two on with two out, Sophie Nesturrick stepped up with what would be the biggest hit of the game, pulling the ball into left field to bring home both runners, making it 3-0.

“I knew the pitchers weren’t pitching anything crazy, so I was just looking for a ball that I could hit,” Nesturrick said. “I just wanted to get a pitch that I could hit to bring the runners in and keep my eye on the ball and get it past the infield.”

Nesturrick would also drive in the final run of the game for Team Long Island. With a runner on third following a sacrifice bunt, Nesturrick would lift a sacrifice fly to bring home the fourth run of the game for her squad.

The offensive output also helped take pressure off the pitchers for Team Long Island 2024. “It gives them more confidence. If we’ve got a lead, we can just pay attention to the next hitter and get the next out,” Nesturrick, one of the Team Long Island catchers, said of her pitchers.

Debutants at the Myrtle Beach Summer Nationals, Team Long Island’s squad may not be the deepest, but it is one of the most eager to compete in the event. “All eleven of my girls are ready to go,” said coach Racano. “Whoever is called upon is ready to play a role. We’re looking to make a run here. We’ve never been here before, so we’re very excited to compete.”

By Jason Hanes

Playing most of the game in a driving rainstorm, Indy Dreams ’03 adapted to the conditions and pulled away for an 18-3 victory over Carolina Comets – Wilkes in 18U action at the Myrtle Beach Summer Nationals Wednesday.

“You just do the best you can,” said Indy Dreams head coach Holli Streeval. “Our pitchers dealt with the same conditions theirs did, but we just had a little bit more control over our pitches. There’s nothing you can really do in the rain except pray your hand dries out enough between pitches.”

“You just have to get used to it,” said Hailey Gotshall who allowed one unearned run in two innings of action with three walks and three strikeouts. “You’ve got to do your best to hit your spots as well as you can.”

Patience at the plate helped Indy Dreams get the offense going. Trailing 2-1 entering the bottom of the second, Indy Dreams would score nine times to take control of the game by the scruff of the neck. “We did a great job of not chasing pitches,” coach Streeval said. “We always go with, ‘It’s your pitch until it’s not.’ Of course, we had some walks, but we took advantage when we had the bases loaded.”

Gotshall would have perhaps the biggest blow of the nine-run frame when she doubled to left-center on a 1-0 pitch with the bases loaded. The three-run double would give her side a 7-2 lead. “I was looking for my pitch and let it get in deep,” Gotshall said. “I didn’t chase and I just had good timing.”

The big inning and the rhythm of the offense allowed Gotshall to relax in the circle when she went out for her two innings of relief. “It [helped] tremendously,” she said. “I could just focus on getting the batters and not worry about a run scoring.”

Gotshall would finish with a team-best five RBI with Corin Dammeier adding three runs driven in and two each from Hailey Cripe (Univ. of Kansas commit) and Hailee Howe (Ave Maria).

With one game under their belts, Indy Dreams ’03 can now focus on getting a good seed heading towards bracket play. “It’s always good to start with a win,” said coach Streeval. “You always wish the conditions were better, but if we had started off with a loss knowing we were handcuffed by the rain would have been very tough. Hopefully, we can gain momentum from this and hopefully the conditions will get better.”

By Jason Hanes

There are a variety of different, sometimes forgotten, ways to score in softball. Indiana Shockwaves – Perry seemed to remember them all, using bunts, ground outs, a wild pitch, and a pair of home runs to top Carolina Elite National – Maddaluna, 9-0 (5) to win Pool B in 18U play at the Myrtle Beach Summer Nationals.

While the scoring played a large role in the win, Shockwaves – Perry also got an outstanding performance in the circle from Josie Newman. Working five scoreless innings, Newman struck out 11 batters and walked one while only allowing one bunt single.

“Really everything was working for me; change, curve, and rise. Whenever they were catching on to me by looking more outside, I just came in on them,” Newman said.

Indiana Shockwaves – Perry used a pair of bunts to bring home the first two runs of the game in the bottom of the second. Megan Nichols slid in just under the tag on Charly Koehler’s fielder’s choice sacrifice bunt for the first run of the game. One batter later, a bunt single by Ainsley Phillips would make it 2-0.

“We do that quite a bit,” said Shockwaves head coach Walt Perry. “We’ve done that for the last few years. We’re comfortable doing it and it’s part of our game every day.

“I think when you can create a little havoc on the basepaths, it gets everybody into the game,” coach Perry continued. “The bench gets excited, and it just makes it easier from then on.”

Nichols and Koehler would drive in runs in the third, with a third run coming home on a wild pitch to make it 5-0 after three complete. Then in the fourth, Shockwaves – Perry put the game away. On a 2-1 pitch, Ella White drilled a two-run homer to left to put her side up 7-0. Following a double, Savannah Baker drilled the first pitch she saw over the fence in center for a 9-0 lead.

That would be more than enough scoring for Newman. The hurler would field her position to help record the final out of the game and give her side the bracket victory. “I was just trying to get [outs] however I could,” Newman said. “I’m confident in my defense behind me, so if I could get them to put it in play, great. But a strikeout is pretty nice too.”

The win gives Indiana Shockwaves – Perry a 9:45 a.m. first pitch Friday, with two wins in back-to-back games needed to stay in the championship bracket. “We’ve been here multiple years and know how important it is to get that good seed and not have to stay out here playing all day on those bracket days,” coach Perry said.

By Jason Hanes

After its first loss of the tournament, Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier – 2027 Alford took advantage of a second chance at a victory, scoring three first inning runs en route to a 7-0 championship victory over Team NC – Newell in 12U at the Myrtle Beach Summer Nationals Sunday afternoon.

“This team has a lot of grit,” said head coach Fredrick Alford. “They’re solid and have a lot of fight. The three early runs were big.”

Playing as the visiting team in the decisive game, Birmingham Thunderbolts got an early lift from starting pitcher Taegan Lermann. With a runner on second and two out, Lermann doubled down the line in left to plate the first run of the game for her side. One batter later, Kennedy Cuthbert doubled home Lermann to make it 2-0. Milleigh Kate Byrd would then single home Cuthbert for the 3-0 lead.

“We couldn’t be low energy,” said Lermann. “We had to be high and we couldn’t give up.”

The three first inning runs would prove to be all Lermann would need in the circle. While she would give up seven walks, she would give up just three hits while striking out two in five-plus innings of work.

“It was great how positive everybody was,” said Lermann. “We were very energetic. I was trying to change things up with my pitches also.”

“[Taegan] was huge,” said coach Alford. “She did a great job using her offspeed and pitching with a lot of spin and movement.”

Jayde Palmer’s RBI single would make it 4-0 in the second inning. In the third, a single by Bryalee Alford would tack on another insurance run. The score rolled at 5-0 until the sixth, when a throwing error brought in a run, then Asher Thompson’s RBI single tacked on the seventh tally of the game.

Team NC – Newell forced the decisive game by winning 4-0 over the Thunderbolts in the previous contest. Holland Weisner delivered the biggest blow of the game when she pulled a home run down the line in left for a two-run shot.

However, the fourth game in a day proved to be too much for Team NC – Newell. While it would load the bases in the sixth and final inning due to the time limit, Morgan Maxwell would come in and would officially retire the three batters she faced in a row to deliver a championship to the Thunderbolts.

The Myrtle Beach Summer Nationals marks the end of the season for Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier – 2027 Alford. “They’ve matured a lot in the box and on defense,” coach Alford said. “They’ve made a lot of adjustments and a lot of changes just in development as a whole.”

“This has been a good way to end the season,” said Lermann.

​The desire for summertime escape and the drive to make the most of a championship setting has drawn more than 250 teams to Myrtle Beach, SC., for the 12th annual Triple Crown Summer Nationals fastpitch softball tournament.
 
The final total of 258 teams from 29 states marks the all-time high for the tournament as well as an impressive rebound after the COVID-restricted event in 2020. Teams representing age groups from 12u through 18u will get a five-game guarantee, with some of the region’s most organized and passionate programs taking part on more than 30 fields in the area.
 
The 12u portion of the tournament runs July 22-25, with the rest of the field suiting up from July 28-Aug. 1. The latter group also features the Grand Strand Elite Camp on July 27, with instruction provided by the softball coaching staff at Coastal Carolina University.
 
“We did our best to stay in regular contact with the fastpitch scene in the Southeast; although we couldn’t run the Summer Nationals we wanted to in 2020, we felt sure folks would want to come back in full force,” said TC event director Carrie Rivera. “Fortunately, our partners in and around Myrtle Beach had the same enthusiasm to bring the event back to capacity, and we’ve been thrilled to see a record number of teams eagerly get back in the mix.” 
Here are the champions from last year:
 
12u -- Atlanta Vipers 07 Tamborra (Marietta, GA)
14u -- Atlanta Vipers 05 Tamborra (Marietta, GA)
16u -- Lady Dukes Lamar (Cary, NC)
18u -- Virginia Glory Mertz-Griffith (Lorton, VA)
 
Follow the 14u, 16u and 18u schedule with results here:
 
Tourney Machine
 
For the 12u division, follow here for results:
 
Tourney Machine
 
About Triple Crown Sports
 
Based in Fort Collins, CO., Triple Crown Sports has been producing youth, high school and college events for 40 years. TCS runs both the preseason and postseason WNIT basketball events and produces the men’s and women’s DI Cancun Challenge tournaments in November. Triple Crown is also powering “WNIT” concept events in D-I softball (NISC) and volleyball (NIVC), with those two events debuting in 2017. Triple Crown’s PV College Challenge features more than 10 of the top DI college softball teams in the country each year in Puerto Vallarta, MX. Anchored by the 1,000-team Colorado 4th of July event, TC fastpitch tournaments draw the nation’s finest club programs, and hundreds of college coaches attend TCS events for recruiting purposes. TCS produces one of the largest youth baseball events in the world with the Omaha SlumpBuster during the College World Series. The Triple Crown Volleyball NIT has become the top-recruited club volleyball event in the country each February when 650 teams compete in Kansas City, MO.

2021 Southeast Nationals Championship Day Recaps | 14u & 18u Divisions

Two teams came through the loser’s bracket Sunday to claim Elite Championships as Birmingham Thunderbolts 07 won the 14U Championship and Atlanta Vipers Gold – Holbrook won the 18U Championship at the Triple Crown Southeast Nationals in the north Atlanta suburbs.

14U
After an 11-5 win over Atlanta Vipers Sunday morning to earn a shot in the championship game, Birmingham Thunderbolts 07 took an early 5-0 lead over Tampa Mustangs Seymour after an inning and a half. Mustangs Seymour would score three runs in the second, and both teams traded runs in the third. While the middle innings didn’t feature any runs, Birmingham Thunderbolts 07 scored two huge insurance runs in the seventh, thanks in part to an Ava Hodo’s homer that gave her four RBI on the contest.

Tampa Mustangs Seymour would score three runs in the bottom of the last inning on homers by Grace Shaw and Reese Green; however, they would come up one run short as Madilyn Byrd finished off a complete game victory in the circle.

18U
A solid pitching performance in the morning game by University of Georgia signee Jordyn Partain helped Atlanta Vipers Gold 18U – Holbrook to a 10-0 (4) win over Virginia Glory Christiansen-Mertz to set up a rematch in the championship game against a Tampa Mustangs – TJ squad which shut them out Saturday, 1-0.

Sunday’s championship contest would feature more scoring as the game would be tied, 3-3, heading to the sixth inning. With a runner on first, pinch hitter Lyndi Rae Davis (UGA) hit a drive off the fence in left for a double to put runners on second and third. Mackenzie White (Univ. of Louisiana) would then lift a sacrifice fly to bring home Megan Bloodworth with the go-ahead run.

Tampa Mustangs – TJ would load the bases in the sixth but Elena Escobar (North Alabama) would record her second strikeout of the game in relief to get out of the jam. Tampa Mustangs – TJ threatened again in the seventh by putting two runners in scoring position with two out; however, Escobar would induce a pop out and Atlanta Vipers Gold 18U – Holbrook came away with the championship.

Final AthletesGoLive Leaderboard

By Jason Hanes

Championship softball games last for seven innings. As proved true today, the 21st out can be the toughest to get.

Down to its final out, Atlanta Vipers 16U Gold – Tamborra scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to walk off with the 16U Elite Championship at the Triple Crown Southeast Nationals, 7-6, over Georgia Impact Schroyer in the northern Atlanta suburbs.

The inning started with Thalia Martin stroking a single to right, but after a foul out and a pop out, things looked bleak for Vipers – Tamborra. With two strikes on Malayna Tamborra at the plate, Martin took off and stole second, moving to third on a throwing error. “I knew I had to get two bases,” Martin said. “I had to get as much as I could.”

Two pitches later, Tamborra swung and popped up a pitch that landed just behind the circle, over the Impact Schroyer pitcher’s head. A tough play for any of the middle infielders to make, Tamborra would reach first before the throw to tie the game, 6-6.

​“Before the pitch, I was thinking that this is it. Just swing as hard as you can and put it all out there. After I hit it, I knew it wasn’t a very good hit, but I had to hustle it out.”

Savanna Bedell then stepped into the box and had a lengthy battle at the plate that eventually ended with a single back up the middle to move the winning run to second base. “I knew I couldn’t let my team down, so I had to do everything,” Bedell said. “I made sure I wasn’t missing the pitch and I did everything I could.”

With the championship on the line, Nia McKnight stepped up to the plate, quickly finding herself down two strikes. “I knew I had to calm myself down,” McKnight said. “I just thought about the rise ball and staying on top of that, and I did just that.”

McKnight would drive a pitch back into center field, plating pinch runner Karley Fuller from second to give her squad a 7-6 win in the 16U Elite Championship.

“We put it all out there,” Tamborra said. “It was the last straw and we took it.”

Things did not start well for Vipers – Tamborra. Playing in their third game of the day, Georgia Impact Schroyer didn’t show any early signs of fatigue as it scored four runs in the top of the first to grab the lead. Carrie Green singled to start the game, then stole second and made it all the way home on a throwing error to give her side the early edge. An RBI groundout by Eryn Lee and an RBI single by Grace Hixson added to the early tally.

“We knew what we did in the first inning was not Vipers softball,” said head coach Stacy Tamborra. “We knew we were too good to allow that to happen. So we knew we had to come back and fight for each other.”

Bella Faw’s RBI single in the bottom of the first made it 4-1, and Vipers – Tamborra would plate three more to tie the score in the third, two of which came on a double by Martin.

Georgia Impact Schroyer regained the lead on a two-run double by Celan Towers one inning later, but Vipers – Tamborra would make a pitching change to bring in Kyra Aycock. Aycock would allow just two hits the rest of the way, and Faw would come up with another RBI single in the fifth to set the stage for the late-inning dramatics.

“They’ve really had laser focus to stay after it,” Coach Tamborra said. “They’ve wanted to go play great softball, and for each other. We played some really really good teams in Colorado and they learned to fight for each other. I think this team is true family.”

By Jason Hanes

Alexis Camilleri’s two-out chopper inside the bag at third brought home the game-winning run in the Saturday Georgia rain as the Tampa Mustangs Seymour rallied to top Birmingham Thunderbolts 07, 5-4, to reach Sunday’s Championship Game of the 14U Elite Bracket at Southeast Nationals.

“It was a pitching battle for sure,” said Tampa Mustangs Seymour manager Jon Pierce. “You had two kids [in the circle]. You have to play fundamental defense and you have to hit the ball. It’s tough, and it’ll typically be a one or two-run game, but those are the things you’ve got to do to come out on top with a win.”

Down 4-3 entering the sixth and what would prove to be the final inning, Mustangs Seymour scratched together three singles to regain the lead. Ava Blakely started the inning with a single, then moved to second on Hailey Vassalotti’s sacrifice bunt. Karhys Pierce followed with a bouncer up the middle that went off the diving shortstop’s glove and trickled into center to bring in Blakely with the tying run. Pierce would steal second on strike three of the next at bat, setting the stage for Camilleri. She would send a bouncer down the line at third that stayed fair and went into left, bringing home Pierce with the go-ahead run as the rain poured down.

In the bottom of the inning, Presley Harrison would buckle down to get the final three outs of the contest as the rain reached its crescendo midway through the frame. After a pop out was caught, a deep drive to left by Kaileigh Byars was caught for the second out. Harrison’s third and final strikeout of the game would end it as the time limit expired to send Tampa Mustangs Seymour into the championship game.

“I definitely had to have a towel and a rosin bag,” Harrison said. “I just knew whatever I gave up, my defense had me. I felt good about myself and my team was really picking me up”

Tampa Mustangs Seymour would lead for most of the game, taking the lead in the second on Reese Green’s two-run single. In the fifth, Jaida Thomas connected for a solo homer to left to make it 3-0.

Birmingham Thunderbolts 07 rallied back with four runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead. A double by Kaylee Goodpaster started the frame, and after a miscue in the field and a walk, the bases were loaded. As the rain came down, chaos erupted on the diamond and in the basepaths as two Thunderbolts would end up scoring with a second ball on the field to make it 4-2. After an out on a lengthy rundown that allowed the Thunderbolts to have runners on second and third with one out, a wide throw to the catcher on a ground ball allowed the tying run to score. Daigle Wilson’s ground ball to second would then bring in the go-ahead run to make it 4-3 for the Thunderbolts.

“That was a really good team,” Harrison said. “Their bats were doing really good. I couldn’t just throw it down the middle and get a strike every time.”

The win puts Tampa Mustangs Seymour in the championship game of the 14U Elite Bracket at 12 p.m. Sunday, whereas other teams will have to play at least one additional game to get to the finale. “It’s a little easier with our pitchers. It’s easier on the pitching side so we’ll be able to come in with two fresh pitchers,” said Pierce.

“I feel like we can do it,” Harrison said. “I think we’re going to be rested up and ready to go.”

Friday |  Triple Crown Southeast Nationals Roundup

Play continued at five softball complexes in the northern suburbs of Atlanta as the second day of the four-day Triple Crown Southeast Regionals continued in three age groups.

18U
Four teams stayed in the Elite winner’s bracket, with games coming Saturday to determine who will have an easier path in Sunday’s Championship Bracket.

Georgia Impact Premier Caymol – The last game of the day to finish at Sharon Springs Park saw Georgia Impact Premier Caymol outlast Virginia Glory Christiansen-Mertz 9-6. Earlier in the day, Georgia Impact Premier Caymol edged Atlanta Vipers – Billings by a 2-1 score.

Tampa Mustangs – TJ – A one-run contest earlier Friday morning went for Tampa Mustangs -TJ over Gainesville Gold McFadyen, 4-3. In the afternoon contest, Tampa Mustangs – TJ took a 3-1 win over EC Bullets Thrash to lock in a spot against Georgia Impact Premier Caymol Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

EC Bullets 18 Gold – Schnute – Only two runs were allowed on the day by EC Bullets 18 Gold – Schnute. After a 9-2 win in Friday morning action, EC Bullets 18 Gold – Schnute earned a 5-0 shutout over Orion Hunter Elite 18U national.

Atlanta Vipers Gold 18U Holbrook – A 16-1 pounding by Vipers-Holbrook in the morning was followed by a 9-3 victory over Prospex Gold 18U in the afternoon contest. Atlanta Vipers Gold 18U Holbrook will face EC bullets 18 Gold – Schnute in the other winner’s bracket semifinal.

Tomorrow’s winners of the semifinal games will advance to a Sunday morning contest at 10 a.m., with that winner earning a spot in the championship game. Losing teams Saturday will have to work through the loser’s bracket for a chance to enter Sunday’s Championship Bracket.

16U
Three of the four teams still alive in the Elite winner’s bracket had to get victories in one-run games in Friday in order to stay In the upper tier.

Atlanta Vipers-05 – Two one-run wins were on the docket Friday for Atlanta Vipers-05. After a 5-4 win over Mojo-Vickery in the morning contest, Atlanta Vipers-05 earned a 4-3 win over GA Impact 22 Schroyer.

Lady Dukes National 2022/2023 – Rabitsch – A noon contest on Friday saw Lady Dukes National 2022/2023 – Rabitsch earn a 2-1 win over Team Georgia 04 Payne. Immediately after on the same field, Lady Dukes National 2022/2023 – Rabitsch earned a Saturday contest against Atlanta Vipers-05 with a 5-1 win over Gorgia Impact Gold Caymol.

Atlanta Vipers-Palazzo – The only team not to need a one-run victory on Friday that’s still alive in the winner’s bracket, Atlanta Vipers-Palazzo took care of Chattanooga Cruisers 04 16U by an 8-0 score in Friday’s first contest. In game two, Atlanta Vipers-Palazzo topped EC Bullets Glenn 16U, 6-2.

Georgia Impact Premier-C Lewis – A pair of tough, one-run wins were needed for Georgia Impact Premier-C Lewis in Friday’s action. After a 4-3 win over Team North Carolina (Hynde), Georgia Impact Premier-C Lewis pulled out a 10-9 win in game two in the highest scoring game of the Elite Bracket. Georgia Impact Premier-C Lewis will face Atlanta Vipers-Palazzo in Saturday’s other winner’s bracket semifinal.

14U
Saturday’s four semifinalists in the Elite Bracket will have two games to play on Saturday, with the winner among the four teams getting a slot in Sunday’s championship game.

MS Thunderbolts-Sheffield 2025 – The only team still in the winners bracket that had to play three games Friday, MS Thunderbolts-Sheffield 2025 started the day by topping Lady Dukes 14U Gold Lamar 7-1. After an 8-6 win over EC Bullets – Maher, MS Thunderbolts-Sheffield 2025 got a shutdown pitching performance for a 9-1 win over Fury Fastpitch 2024-Gooden.

Tampa Mustangs – The Tampa Mustangs scored runs early and often Friday. After a 13-2 win over Chattanooga Cruisers 06, the Tampa Mustangs pulled out an 8-6 win over Atlanta Vipers in the second contest. The win sets up a 2 p.m. game against MS Thunderbolts-Sheffield 2025.

Fury Premier 2024 – Sewell – The only team not to allow a run Friday, Fury Premier 2024 – Sewell picked up a pair of shutout victories, beginning with a 5-0 defeat of High Intensity Elite 14U Barnowsky. In the next contest, Fury Premier 2024 – Sewell shut down Tampa Mustangs – Viruet to the tune of a 2-0 final.

Birmingham Thunderbolts 07 – After a 7-3 defeat of Impact Gold 07 GA Friday, Birmingham Thunderbolts 07 got a strong pitching and defense display to hold down Atlanta Vipers Gold Harris for a 2-1 win to set up a contest Saturday with Fury Premier 2024 – Sewell.

Saturday’s Elite winner’s bracket games start at 2 p.m., with the two winners playing again immediately after to determine who gets a spot in Sunday’s championship game of the double-elimination tournament.