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Pleasant Hill Tournament, July 19th - 20th
The Alameda Blaze stepped their game up another notch in Pleasant Hill qualifying for the Championship game and finishing 2nd of the 12 10U teams entered. They won 5 of the 7 games played and just missed winning the championship in hard fought game.
Saturday, July 19th
Game 1 vs. Burlingame Flames
Alameda Blaze 7, Burlingame Flames 4
The Alameda Blaze opened the tournament with a win showing that they were ready to improve on their strong performance in the previous tournament. They scored 5 of their 7 runs in the first inning demonstrating patience at the plate. The Blaze walked 8 times. They were ready to swing their bats after a pitching change in the 2nd inning. Caroline Liu hit a single for an RBI. On defense, the Blaze fielded well, getting 6 runners out at first and 1 at second base. Shannon Regan pitched 4 strikeouts.
Game 2 vs. Castro Valley Synergy
Alameda Blaze 2, Castro Valley Synergy 8
The Synergy proved to be a formidable team with strong pitching and hitting. The Blaze were able to get on the board with a single by Dominique Shaver followed by 3 steals including home for the score. The second run also came on a steal of home. Shannon Regan bunted for a single then stole the next 3 bases. The Blaze showed their defensive skills in the game to keep the score close. Samantha Hugger caught a pop-up at second base, Kiara Proctor through out two runners at first base after fielding balls in right field and Caroline Liu caught a pop in the infield.
Game 3 vs. San Carlos Storm
Alameda Blaze 7, San Carlos Storm 3
The Blaze bounded back quickly after their loss to beat the Storm. Shannon Regan led the defense from the mound pitching 5 strikeouts. Isabella Deatherage made a great catch for an out in the 3rd inning to keep the Storm from getting on base. Regan hit a single for an RBI. Sasita Knauer also had a single that drove in 2 runs and Samantha Hugger hit a single for 1 RBI.
Sunday, July 20th
Game 4 vs. Burlingame Flames
Alameda Blaze 5, Burlingame Flames 1
he Blaze faced the Flame a second time and were able to record another win to stay in the single began the single elimination round of the tournament. Vivienne Saulovich led the team on the mound pitching an outstanding game. Dominique Shaver was a fielding machine at 3rd base easily making throws to 1st base for outs. The Blaze scored all 5 of their runs in the 3rd inning. Kelley Desmond led the charge hitting a single for 1 RBI. Isabella Deatherage followed with a ground ball that scored 2 runs and Caroline Liu hit a bunt for a single and 1 RBI. The Blaze had more to do with their bats. Shaver hit a single and Sasita Knauer followed with one of her own scoring the 5th run.
Game 5 vs. West Valley Slammers
Alameda Blaze 4, West Valley Slammers 0
The Blaze shut out the Slammers in a nearly perfect game. Shannon Regan made defense easy for her team pitching a whopping 14 strikeouts. The Blaze showed their prowess at the plate. Dominique Shaver bunted for 2 RBI’s, Sasita Knauer hit 2 singles bringing in a run and Caroline Liu hit a double for 2 runs. The win qualified the Blaze for the semi-final round.
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Semi-Finals v. Petaluma Steel Breeze White
Alameda Blaze 9, Petaluma Steel Breeze 4
The Blaze proved that they were destined for the Championship defeating the Steel Breeze for their 3rd win on Sunday. Shannon Regan led the defense again pitching 5 more strikeouts. Kelley Desmond led the scoring by hitting a single and stealing 3 bases including home. Dominique Shaver hit a single for two RBI’s, Alanna Reyes and Kiara Proctor hit singles, and Isabella Deatherage hit a double for a solid offensive showing.
Final v. Castro Valley Synergy
Alameda Blaze 5, Castro Valley Synergy 5
The Alameda Blaze came very close to winning their first Championship. They faced the only team that had given them a loss in the tournament. The Synergy pitched well making it difficult to get on base and score. Kelly Desmond hit a single in the 1st inning, advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Isabella Deatherage, stole 3rd and stole home for the first score. The Synergy came back scoring 3 runs of their own for a 3-1 lead. The score stayed the same for the next 3 innings. The Blaze played amazing defense to keep the Synergy from scoring. Caroline Liu was a rock at first base. She was helped by Kiara Proctor at 2nd who participate in 6 outs. Vivienne Saulovich was solid on the mound for 5 innings. The Blaze came back in the top of the 5th inning on a tremendous double by Sasita Knauer that was followed by a single by Shannon Regan that scored Knauer. 3-2 Synergy after 5 innings. The Blaze initiated another rally in the top of the 6th to get their pull ahead of the Synergy. Desmond hit a single, Deatherage hit a bunt that got her to 1st and advanced Desmond. Dominiqe Shaver hit a single that scored Desmond. Samantha Hugger hit a single that scored Deatherage. The Blaze had the lead 5-3 at the bottom of the 6th and final inning. Shannon Regan was brought in to close the game. The Synergy came back again on a triple followed by a single. The Blaze were able to get an out on another field of a grounder by Kiara Proctor to Caroline Liu at 1st. The next batter up hit a line drive straight at the pitcher, Regan was not able to get out of the way and ball hit her in the face. The Blaze decided to forfeit the game. Regan was taken to the hospital but is doing great and will be able to play again next weekend. The Blaze proudly took home the second place trophy.
