Alameda Makes Good Showing in 2nd Annual Estuary Tournament

Alameda Girls Softball Association (AGSA) hosted the 2nd Annual Estuary Tournament on Sunday, June 3 at Krusi Park. The tournament serves as a warm-up for the participating teams' summer traveling tournament play and features games against the tournament teams from interleague partners Oakland Girls Softball League (Oakland Vipers) and Albany Berkeley Girls Softball League (Albany-Berkeley Sting). This yearournament also featured a doubleheader between 8U Spring League All Star teams from Alameda and Oakland.

8U Game 1
Alameda All Stars 11        Oakland All Stars 0

In the inaugural 8U All Star game, the Alameda side showed its mettle. Alameda 8U All Stars (representing Bayside Specialty Construction Blue Dolphins, Gallagher & Lindsey Cheetahs, Harbor Bay Realty Red Dragons and William S. Paden, DDS Golden Retrievers), prevailed in both ends of this matchup with an equal side from the City of Oakland. In the crisp morning opener, the Alameda Stars threw a shutout on the combined efforts of Anekaila Crevani, Grace Oransky, Julia Boyden and Alanna Reyes. The offensive attack was bolstered by home runs from Alexis Jiminez, Vivienne Saulovich and Meida Tautalatasi as 11 runners touched home in the opener.

Game 2
Alameda All Stars 7        Oakland All Stars 5

The second game of the double header proved to be a tightly contested battle with both sides swinging now warm bats. The Oakland side took a quick 3 run lead in the first, only to be quickly tied by the Alameda All Stars. Oakland quickly struck back with 2 in the second and shut out the Alameda All Stars in the second. The Alameda Stars needed a big lift and got it in the form of masterful pitching from Vivienne Saulovick who proceeded to strike out the side on nine pitches in the third. With renewed confidence the Alameda stars scored 4 in the third to take a lead they would not relinquish after a 3 run triple by Anekaila Crevani sealed the fate of the Oakland side.

The Alameda All Stars, coached by Phil Woodworth and Sean Oransky, included Julia Boyden, Anekaila Crevani, Alexis Jiminez, Grace Oransky, Alanna Reyes, Vivienne Saulovich, Meida Tautalatasi, Ginny Woodworth

10U Alameda Blaze

The 10U Blaze, playing together for the first time and with every member new to tournament-style play, made a respectable showing while losing to the Oakland Vipers and the Albany Berkeley Sting.

The 10U Alameda Blaze players include Dominique Barrs, Sarah Beilman, Emma Boeckling, Christina Carmon, Isabella Deathrage, Kelly Desmond, Alyssa Hollis, Samantha Huger, Caroline Liu, Katie Orbeta, Shannon Regan, Dominique Shaver, and Chelsea Veiga. The Blaze manager is Dennis Regan and the coach is Bob Orbeta.

12U Alameda Blaze

The Alameda Blaze 12U girl's softball team opened their summer season by winning the 2nd Annual Estuary Tournament at Alameda's Krusi Park on Sunday June 3.

The Blaze won their first round game with a convincing 9-5 thrashing of the Albany Berkeley Sting. The Blaze broke open a tight game with a big six-run third inning, keyed by Drew Jones' two-run double. Gianna Ratto and Gia Morten each contributed two hits to the Blaze offensive attack. Kayla Simonson earned a complete game victory, striking out six.

The Blaze met their close rivals, the Oakland Vipers in the championship game, and came away with a 5-1 victory and the tournament championship. The Blaze trailed 1-0 after three innings, before putting the game out of reach with four runs in the fourth inning. Gianna Ratto led the Blaze with two solid hits and two RBI. Drew Jones again delivered with a clutch pinch hit double into left center. Carrie Lee was dominating on the mound in her summer pitching debut, allowing only one unearned run while striking out eight Vipers.

The 12U Blaze includes Erika Boeckling, Keilani Finley-Jensen, Akela Gabriel, Kelly Hosakawa, Hannah Johnson, Drew Jones, Carrie Lee, Gia Morten, Mia Musso, Sabrina Ochoa, Michelle Popelka, Emma Raglin, Gianna Ratto, Jessica Ravetti, Anastasia Scheichl, Kayla Simonson. Don Musso manages the team and Ken Lee, Hank Morten and Sharon Perkins are coaches.