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 |