Team TFS 14u Finishes in 2nd place at NSA Ham and Yam Tournament

After this weekend, the first phrase that came to mind was "always a bridesmaid, never a bride." After shaking off the dust last weekend, the TFS girls showed up ready to play at the Ham and Yam tournament. I want to make a point here to thank David Gay for his always supportive and accommodating hospitality. It is clear in both deeds and actions that he is in it for the girls and the love of the game. Hat's off to you David from TFS! I also have to start with what I am guessing will become a regular disclaimer. The statistics contained within this blog are based on the records kept by this author and are not from the "official" scorebook nor have they been reviewed or approved by the coach. If there are any flaws, omissions, or inaccurate data, it is the fault of this author so don't bother the coach.
TFS arrived at the field Saturday morning, parents armed with tents and umbrellas under the threat of rain. Pool play started with a match up against the East Wake Spirit. With Jamie J. back in the circle, the defense played solid only allowing one run, one hit and two errors. The offense scored eight runs off of six hits. Leading on offense were Cyndi, Dara, and Jamie J each with singles, Lizzy with two singles and Alyssa with an impressive in-the-park homerun ending the game in an 8 - 1 TFS victory.
The next pool game was against the Screamers. The defense remained strong. Jamie allowed three hits and the team held the Screamers to two runs. A correspondingly tough Screamers defense held TFS to three runs on an impressive nine hits. Leading the way offensively were Lizzy, Cyndi, Carly, Shelby, Delane and Jaimee R, each with one single; Jenna with two singles and Alyssa with a double. This, what proved to be the first of four games against the Screamers, resulted in a TFS victory of 3 - 2.
With pool play out of the way, the teams were seeded into the brackets. Having come out as a top seed, TFS had a "bye" the first round. After the first round, the TFS girls found themselves facing the Screamers again. This game became a true defensive showdown. TFS was held to four hits, three of which came from Jenna and the other from Alyssa. The rest of the girls were hitting pop flies on a wicked curve ball served up by the Screamers. A couple base running errors held TFS to one run. Jaimee "Killa" served up six strike outs from the circle and TFS held the Screamers to one run and two hits through the bottom of the fifth inning. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Screamers got on base on an error; however, the error was erased when the runner was thrown out trying to steal second base. The next Screamer batter hit a single and worked her way around the bases to get into scoring position from another Screamer hit. With runners on second and third base and one out, the next batter hit a blooper to first base. The defense scooped the ball, made the tag and threw the runner out at home. Fans were going crazy excited to be entering into international tie breaker. Unfortunately, every party has a pooper and this one was wearing blue, and he didn't see the tag. So instead of ending the inning, the Screamers had another shot at ending the game and capitalized on the opportunity with the next batter hitting in the winning run. The game ended in a TFS 1 - 2 loss and put TFS into the loser's bracket.
TFS finished the day facing a relatively new team - the Sand Devils. TFS won the game 11 - 1. Offensively, Jenna, Megan and Jaimee each hit singles. Alyssa had two singles and Lizzy hit a triple. The pitching duo of Jamie J and Dara Mac only allowed two hits. The girls headed home Saturday night tired but satisfied with their performance.
Sunday play started early, courtesy of being in the loser's bracket. The first game was against the Carolina Rollers. The defense held the Rollers to one hit and no runs. The offense was led by Jenna with a single and a double, Megan with a single and a triple, Cyndi with a double, Dara with two doubles, Alyssa with a single, Amanda with two singles, and Shelby with a double. These hot bats resulted in a 15 - 0 victory.
After the Rollers' game, TFS had a two hour break. Everyone knew that after that break, the girls would be playing back to back and would need to keep winning to get to the championship game. Everyone retreated to their corners to recharge their batteries and refill their tanks.
The first game after the break was against the East Wake Spirit. The TFS defense held the Spirit to one hit and kept them scoreless. The game ended in a 10 - 0 TFS victory with the offense led by Jenna, Lizzy, Carly and Shelby each with singles.
The next game was a rematch against the Fuquay Bombs. The last time TFS faced the Bombs, TFS came out on top but it was overheard by this author the remark from the other team that TFS "got lucky this time." Well, let's just say that after this match up, there should no longer be any question of the difference between luck and skill. TFS defeated the Bombs in a 6 - 0 shutout, the third shutout of the day. The TFS offense was led by Lizzy, Dara and Shelby, each hitting singles, and Carly with two singles.
The victory against the Bombs set TFS up for the Championship game. The uphill battle continued and TFS was going to have to face and defeat the Screamers twice to win the Championship. The first game was another defensive battle. TFS held the Screamers to three hits and allowed no runs. TFS was able to score three runs on four hits - singles from each of Amanda and Jamie J, a triple from Jenna and a double from Lizzy. This 3 - 0 victory set TFS up to play the "if" game. Ironically, the last time TFS played in an "if" game was also against the Screamers and also in Smithfield. The question was could TFS do it again and come out on top. It seemed that the momentum was in our favor. Over the last eight games, TFS has only allowed six runs, four of which were scored by the Screamers and none of which were scored on Sunday.
With a fifteen minute break, the girls from TFS and the Screamers, adversaries on the field and friends off the field, took time to interact and have fun with each other. But when it was time for game time, the girls got down to business. Unfortunately, after eight games, the defense was beginning to weaken allowing four hits, making five errors, all resulting in seven runs by the Screamers in the first two innings while the Screamers held TFS hitless and scoreless the same two innings. After these two innings, TFS regrouped, broke out some "Jumangi" and tightened up. In the third inning TFS scored four runs on two hits with a double from Lizzy and a single from Jaimee R. The TFS defense only allowed one hit and kept the Screamers from scoring in the third inning. The fourth inning TFS remained hitless and scoreless and responded by keeping the Screamers hitless and scoreless in the bottom of the fourth inning. With time running out, and TFS the visiting team, again, (Nate - get Doug to call the coin toss. He always wins coin tosses), TFS had one more opportunity on offense. Jaimee R got things started with a single. The next batter, Delane, took first base after being hit by a pitch. This was followed up with a hit by Shelby to advance the runners on a fielder's choice. With one out, Jenna "Speed Racer" came up to the plate and hit into another fielder's choice, with the Screamers tagging out the runner coming from third to home. Megan "Iron Man" hit a single next scoring both Delane and Jenna. With Megan on second base and the score 6 - 7 and two outs, the last batter came up to the plate and after a tough battle resulting in a full count, Lizzy got a hold of a pitch she liked and knocked it to deep center. Everyone was on their feet but on an amazing catch by the Screamers' center fielder, the game ended in a 6 - 7 loss.
TFS proved that offensively and defensively they are a force to be reckoned with. They also learned the importance of winning key games. In the award ceremony, the NSA Director, David Gay, complimented both teams by saying that the girls demonstrated some of the best sportsmanship he has seen, in addition to providing some exciting ball to watch. This author teased David pointing out that we got more for our money than any other team. Again. Nine games instead of the five game guarantee. I wasn't anything but proud of all the girls for the effort, tenacity and grit they demonstrated on the field - from both teams. And I think I can speak for all the girls, parents and coaches in wishing Sara from the Screamers a speedy recovery. The Screamers and TFS joined forces after the game to chase down both teams' coaches to cool them off with a bath courtesy of the water jugs in the dugouts.
The next tournament has TFS playing in the ASA Queen of the Hill tournament in Burlington. I look forward for the opportunity for everyone to see the royal behavior and performance of the girls of TFS. And this time, maybe TFS can be the Queen instead of the Bride.

Team TFS 14u Finishes 4th at ASA Spring Fling

Between fundraising and Spring break, it had been a month since TFS was on the field competing as a team. I promised myself when I agreed to start writing this blog that I wasn’t going to make excuses and I was going to do my best to avoid any “yellow” journalism. That being said, I want to point out that the team started off on Saturday without either of their starting pitchers. One of whom is limited to the amount of time spent in the circle due to injuries and the other of whom is out for a total of six weeks. The 18U team was kind enough to loan us one of their players who also pitches and is eligible to play 14U. Thanks Sara! Our hats are off to you for coming out to play! So, now that I am finished not making excuses, let’s get to the facts. I do believe it is necessary to add a brief disclaimer at this point. The statistics regarding hits and errors are based on the records kept by this author and are not from the official scorebook. Therefore, if anyone reading this disagrees with my assessment, DO NOT pester the coach. Anyone is more than welcome to express their opinion directly to me J.

TFS started off the weekend facing a strong hitting Chatham Elite. The Elite did a fantastic job of waking up TFS and letting them know where the cobwebs were. TFS lost this first game 4 to 11. On offense, the only hit of the game came from Cyndi and on defense, TFS made six errors.

TFS went straight from this game into the next pool game against the Diamond Thunder 94. I believe the glass is “half full” so I will say this game was an improvement. TFS lost 2 to 8. However, Dara Mac pitching only allowed two hits and the defense made five errors as compared to the six in the previous game. Offensively, TFS was led by Cyndi and Lizzy who each hit doubles and Amanda who hit a single.

With pool play out of the way, TFS had several hours to regroup, re-energize and reflect. The brackets were already set by blind draw so the pool games presented the ideal opportunity for the girls to get the kinks worked out. The first bracket game was against the Carolina Stingers 94. The TFS defense was definitely kicking it into gear. After five innings, they allowed only two errors (a definite improvement) and Jaimee “Killa” pitching only allowed two hits and racked up a total of 10 strike-outs. Offensively, TFS had five hits with three coming from always speedy Jenna and red-hot Cyndi cleaning up with two hits. TFS won the game in a 5 – 2 victory.

Saturday night ended with TFS facing the Diamond Thunder 94 again. If the Thunder came into the game over confident, they sure didn’t end that way. Sara pitched the first three innings and only gave up two hits. Jaimee “Killa” pitched the last three innings and allowed only one hit. Defensively, the girls only made one error. Offensively, Cyndi remained on fire with two singles rounded off with a single from Dara Mac. In a tight game, TFS came up on the losing end 2 to 3 but earned the respect of the Thunder. This loss moved TFS down to the losers bracket.

Sunday morning TFS came onto the field fresh and ready for the Randolph Rebels. The bats came out of hibernation and TFS continued to “throw some leather” as Dougie Fresh says. Megan, Cyndi, Dara, Lizzy, Carly, Amanda and Delane each had hits. Defensively, TFS made two errors and “Killa” had 13 strike outs, allowed two hits and no runs for a TFS victory of 6 – 0.

The TFS girls ended the weekend in a showdown against the Chaos. The defense played solid, only making one error. The bats were cracking with singles from Cyndi, Dara, Alyssa and Jamie and a triple from Lizzy. However, the offense came up short with four base running errors that ultimately cost TFS the game in a 2 – 3 loss.

Overall, the weekend helped the girls to dust off the cobwebs and highlight what areas they need to focus on improving. There were moments of brilliance and moments of total idiocy. TFS finished fourth with the three teams they lost to finishing in first through third place. This writer is very fond of the following quote: “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” So here’s to learning from our mistakes and making the necessary adjustments because with a group of girls like we have, the glass will always be half full even if it is half full of lemonade made from a bowl full of lemons served up by circumstances. And let’s not forget, it’s all for one and one for all, together they stand and together they fall, the win them one they win them all…….GO SOFTBALL! (And let’s be sure to break out the brat-beef-kilbasa-hot-smoked-sausage-cheedarwurst next weekend so everyone will remember why we ARE the MEAT!)