Shamrocks achieve 4th place in the 2005 16U ASA Nationals in Sioux Falls, SD

by 16U Head Coach Jim Brackin

What a run! The 16U Shamrocks lost their first two games at the ASA Nationals in Sioux Falls, SD over August 1-8, then started 'rockin' on an unprecedented nine game winning streak. Over a 48-hour period from 7 PM Thursday night through 7 PM on Saturday night, the Shamrocks tore through the best competition in the country. As the streak went on, the competition increased, but so did their margins of victory. Kelley Engman (Bishop O'Connell HS) and Brittany Gardner (Parkview HS) pitched spectacularly all week, just as they have done all season for us. Eight different Shamrocks contributed game winning RBIs in the tournament. Whitney Miller (Liberty HS - MD), Lauren Mernin (Herndon HS), Rachael Davies (Osbourne Park HS), Bridget Desbois (Langley HS), Samantha Miller (Loudoun Valley HS), Samantha Ingersoll (Stone Bridge HS), and Alicia Field (Osbourne Park HS) had one GWRBI apiece, while Alyson Heon (Thomas Jefferson HS) had two. Talk about some hitting, against some of the best pitchers in the country, the team hit for a combined .303 BA, with a whopping .423 slugging percentage. That is high anytime, but in the ASA Nationals, it is really something to be admired. Samantha Ingersoll provided much of the power, with 12 RBIs and batting .375, including 5 doubles and an incredible 4 stunning homeruns (one was a grand slam!). Whitney Miller was on fire, batting an awesome 11 for 23 (.478), with 4 RBI. Other offensive leaders were Alicia Field (.359, 5 RBI), and Samantha Miller (.355, 4 RBI). The team 'baby' is 13 year-old Sheila Davies (Osbourne Park HS), who was 2 for 3 (.667) in the tournament, with 2 RBI. Britt Gardner was 2 for 4 (.500).

Game 1 SoCal Choppers 5 Shamrocks 0. Tuesday 5 PM

The normally solid Shamrock defense was plagued by at least six errors in the first game. Despite strong pitching performances by Britt Gardner (5 innings, 2 hits), and Kelley Engman (1 inning, 1 hit), the Shamrocks could not control the fleet SoCal Choppers. Offensively, the Shamrocks left base runners stranded in scoring position in five different innings. The shining star for the Shamrocks offense was Alicia Field, who was 3 for 3, with a double and two singles. Rachael Davies had a double, Gardner, Carolyn Jones (Westfield HS), and Samantha Miller had a hit apiece. The Shamrocks out hit the Choppers 7-3. The Choppers eventually finished second in the tournament, defeating the Shamrocks again on the final day.

Game 2 MO Firestyx 4 Shamrocks 3 Wednesday 5 PM

The Shamrocks came out smoking in the next game, scoring 3 runs in the top of the first inning. However, the bats cooled significantly, and the Shamrocks mounted no more significant threats in the game. Kelley Engman only had two base runners to reach first base, both by errors, through the first 4 innings. The Firestyx scored two in the fifth. Gardner relieved Engman in the fifth, and gave up two runs in the sixth, and the Firestyx took the lead 4-3. Engman re-entered the game and shutdown further threats. The Shamrocks were unable to score, and the tournament outlook was dismal. However, with the three game guarantee format, we stayed in the tournament. From here on, lose a game, and you are out of the tournament.

Let the good times roll!!!!

Game 3 Shamrocks 3 Arizona Outlaws 0 Thursday 7 PM (game started at 9:30, finished at 12:30 AM)

This game was a nightmare. The Outlaw coaches argued about everything from the first inning .. umpire issues, rule challenges, long delays, two different protests (made and LOST by the Outlaw coaches), and it was windy and cold. However, the Shamrocks prevailed with timely hitting, and excellent pitching and defense against a very talented team. The game was scoreless in the fourth. Their pitcher was stepping back illegally off the rubber a good three inches most of the time. I kept pointing it out to the third base umpire, but he never called it . anyway, Bridget Desbois walked, Alicia Field bunted her to 2 nd , Carolyn Jones doubled to left, but Desbois could not score because of a near catch by the LF, and Sam Miller walked to load the bases. All of a sudden, with the next batter, my man calls an illegal pitch. He was correct, but I can't believe he waited until then to call it, with the bases loaded! .. But, we will take it. Of course, that set the other team off into a feeding frenzy to discredit the umpire . it all got very nasty, when they accused him of having alcohol on his breath, and protested the game based upon his 'impaired' judgment. Actually, his judgment was correct, and I talked to him all night, and I never smelled any alcohol or suspected it. Those guys were just trying to do anything to get the umpire, and it should have been embarrassing for them... they were calling him a drunk, etc, and just the accusation probably destroyed his umpiring career. Again, I think they were just trying anything to get the call reversed, even at the expense of humiliating the umpire. The Outlaws coaches should be very ashamed of their actions, but I heard from other coaches that they are well known out West for that, so I doubt they feel any guilt. Of course, ultimately the ridiculous protest was not upheld, and the game continued. In the very next inning, Samantha Ingersoll quieted them somewhat, when she pounded a line drive 'rocket' homerun, far over the center field fence. Carolyn Jones scored in the sixth to make it 3-0. She and Sam Miller had back-to-back singles, followed by a throwing error by their third baseman. Britt Gardner (8K, 0 hits) pitched out of jambs in the 3 rd and 4 th innings, and retired the last nine batters in a row for the victory. The good guys win. Very good team, and the players were fine . I really am happy to the coach lost.

We dubbed Thursday as "Thank God, we finally beat SOMEONE Thursday"!

Game 4 Shamrocks 4 IL Orland Park A's 0 Friday 11 AM

This was a very close game all the way to the very end. Kelley Engman (4K, 6 hits) pitched a great game, and repeatedly came through with quality pitches against a very good hitting team. The Shamrocks scored all four runs in the 7 th inning. Carolyn Jones led off with a single, Sam Miller was safe at first when they were unsuccessful in getting the lead runner, Jones at 2 nd . Caitlin Romano (Liberty HS-VA went in to run for Miller) Kelley Engman bunted them up to 2 nd and third. Lauren Mernin (Herndon HS), singled, scoring Jones with the eventual game-winning run. Rachael Davies' infield grounder scored Romano. Sam Ingersoll's double scored two more runs, making the final score 4-0.

Game 5 Shamrocks 3 CA Cruisers 2 Friday 3 PM

The Shamrocks drew first blood in classic fashion. In the 2 nd , Alicia Field singled to left, Carolyn Jones sacrificed her to second, and Sam Miller laced an RBI single to right. And that, my friends, is the way it is drawn on the board. Carolyn Jones scored in the 4 th , on a single by Lauren Mernin. Sam Miller scored on a hit by Rachael Davies, for the eventual game-winning run, and the Shamrocks took a 3-0 lead into the final inning. The Cruisers did not give up without a fight. They lead off the seventh with a single and base on balls. A grounder back to the circle moved the runners to second and third. A single up the middle scored both runs. Engman came in to relieve Gardner, and got them out to save the day. Exciting finish, but the Shamrocks prevailed. Gardner (6K, 8 hits) threw a great game against a highly respected SoCal team.

Game 6 Shamrocks 3 CA American Athletics 1 Friday 7 PM

Back to back SoCal teams is a big deal for us East Coast "also rans" . you gotta love it when you disprove that theory! I can't think of anyone I would rather beat than the American Athletics coach . most of the coaches you meet at the Nationals are good folks, but this guy complained about everything from the first pitch, protested defensive substitutions, courtesy runners, etc .. Of course, he lost every challenge, because he did not have a thorough understanding of lineup, DP, flex, CR rules.

Kelley Engman struggled in the first inning, giving up four hits and a run, but came back with a vengeance to shut them out for the remainder of the game (6K, only 3 more isolated hits). The Shamrocks scored a run in the third when Engman singled, Romano went in to run for Engman, Rachael Davies moved her to second, and Alyson Heon doubled to center to score Romano. In the fifth, the Shamrocks struck for two runs. Lauren Mernin singled, Kelley Engman tallied her second single of the contest, Caitlin Romano in to run for Engman, Rachael Davies bunted them up, Alyson Heon singled to right for her second RBI of the game. That was the eventual game-winning run. Sam Ingersoll's grounder scored Romano who broke for the plate on contact.. She is super fast! Engman induced a couple of weak groundballs and a called third strike to end the game .. Now we will be playing on Saturday! Who would have thought that after our first two games? In the game, Engman not only pitched great, but she was 2 for 2, and scored two runs (actually her Courtesy Runner, Caitlin Romano). Alyson Heon was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI.

We have dubbed this day as "Fabulous Friday"!

Game 7 Shamrocks 3 TN Austin Eagles 2 Saturday 9 AM

The buzz around the tournament was that the Eagles had the best pitcher in the tournament. Good for us, because we are usually very good against heat, and good at laying off rise balls out of the strike zone. Britt Gardner pitched another great game, striking out 9 and giving up only two hits. The Shamrocks threatened almost every inning. Sam Ingersoll doubled with two out in the first, Bridget Desbois walked, but could not score. Lauren Mernin walked in the second, moved to second on Sam Millers grounder, and scored on Whitney Miller's RBI single. The Shamrocks tallied two more runs in the fifth when Sam Ingersoll and Bridget Desbois hit back-to-back home runs. Desbois HR was the eventual game-winning hit. In the sixth, things got a little tense, when Gardner gave up a walk, then a 2-run homer to their cleanup hitter. In the seventh, she struck out the side to finish with a flair. The buzz was right, she is an excellent pitcher, but I will take my two pitchers any day!

Game 8 Shamrocks 6 TX Spring Klein Sudden Impact 2 Saturday 11 AM

We knew this team would be a good hitting team. They had scored lots of runs in the winner's bracket, and finally lost 6-5 to the CA Fresno Force. We quickly realized that the plate umpire liked it low and outside, and I mean very low, and very outside. The key for us is to adjust to the strike zone better than the other team does. They scored first in the 2 nd , when their cleanup batter homered. They scored again in the 4 th , with a single, sac, and double. After that score, Kelley Engman retired the next 11 batters in a row to shut down their very potent offense. Down 2-0 in the home fourth, Sam Ingersoll got us back in the game with another line drive homerun to center. The Shamrock bats and spirit came to life in the home fifth. Carolyn Jones and Sam Miller had back-to-back singles (Caitlin Romano ran for Miller). Lauren Mernin's infield ground out scored Jones from third. Rachael Davies singled. Alyson Heon singled to score Romano, her second game-winning RBI of the tournament. Sam Ingersoll singled to load the bases. Bridget Desbois singled to left, scoring Davies and Heon. Shamrocks up 5-2. In the sixth, Sam Miller singled to right (Caitlin Romano ran for Miller), Lauren Mernin walked, and Whitney Miller singled to score Romano. Shamrocks lead 6-2, Kelley Engman retired the side 1-2-3 for the win. The teams get tougher and tougher, but Shamrock margins of victory are increasing. Sam Miller was 3 for 3. Sam Ingersoll was 2 for 3 with a big homerun, her third of the tournament.

Game 9 Shamrocks 8 CA Fresno Force 2 Saturday 1 PM

This is the team that put Sudden Impact into the loser bracket, and they are a perennial CA powerhouse. Shamrocks scored two in the home first. Alyson Heon walked, and scored on a Sam Ingersoll double to right center. Alicia Field singled to left, scoring Ingersoll. The Force struck back to tie in the top of the second. After that score, Britt Gardner allowed only one base runner for the rest of the game, tallying 6 strikeouts, 9 grounder-outs, and a popup. The Shamrock bats kept the pressure up every inning. In the third, Alicia Field singled, Carolyn Jones reached on a fielder's choice, and advanced to 2 nd on a wild pitch. Jones scored on Sam Miller's RBI single to center. Lauren Mernin singled to move up Sam Miller. Whitney Miller's single drove in Sam Miller. In the fifth, Carolyn Jones singled, Sam Miller walked, Jones moved to third on a Lauren Mernin fielder's choice, and Jones scored on a wild pitch. The relentless offensive show continued into the bottom of the sixth. Alyson Heon led off with a double, followed by Sam Ingersoll with a double, successive run scoring grounders by Alicia Field and Carolyn Jones, and finally a 2-out double by Lauren Mernin to the corner in right field. Final score Shamrocks 8 Fresno Force 2.

Game 10 Shamrocks 8 TX Texas Glory Gold 0

We were worried about this team because they had done so well to finish 2 nd in the OKC Hall of Fame Tournament, and they won lots of winner bracket games, before losing 4-0 to the NC Pitt County Rockets, who we will see later. Kelley Engman was masterful in keeping them off balance. She only gave up one hit (first inning), and induced many, many popups and groundouts, 3 K, and 1 BB. Great performance! The Shamrocks offense was in cruise control at 100 MPH now. The attack was relentless, with runners in scoring position every inning except the 4 th . Rachael Davies led off the game with a single, moved to 2 nd on Alyson Heon sac bunt, moved to third on a Sam Ingersoll single, and scored the eventual game-winner, on an Alicia Field single to left. Carolyn Jones crushed a line drive, but the third baseman made a spectacular play to end the inning and save two runs for them. That kid may be my favorite player (opposing player that is) for the tournament. The Shamrocks posed serious threats in the 2 nd and 3 rd , but could not score. In the fifth, the flood-gates opened. Sam Ingersoll hit a ball that the 1B could not handle. Bridget Desbois singled. Alicia Field doubled down the 3 rd base line, scoring Ingersoll. Carolyn Jones laid down a perfect bunt and beat it out to load the bases. Sam Miller singled to center, scoring Desbois and Field. Caitlin Romano entered the game to run for Miller. Whitney Miller singled. Rachael Davies singled to score Jones. Alyson Heon hit a goundout to SS, scoring the fleet Romano from third. When the dust settled, Shamrocks lead 6-0. The game ended when the Shamrocks scored 2 more in the sixth. Sam Ingersoll led off with a single to center, Bridget Desbois walked, and Alicia Field singled to load the bases. Ingersoll was forced at the plate. Sam Miller hit a long fly ball to LF, scoring Desbois on the sacrifice. Pinch hitter Sheila Davies drove a line drive single to left, scoring Field with the final run, ending the game in the home half of the sixth, by Slaughter Rule.

Final score Shamrocks 8 TX Glory Gold 0

Game 11 Shamrocks 10 NC Pitt County Rockets 3

This was a surprise team of the tournament. They came into the tournament, we hear, with a 40-0 record. They knocked off some great teams (including TX Glory Gold, and the San Jose Sting), winning their first five games in the Winner's Bracket by easy margins, before losing a 1-0 heart breaker to the CA Corona Angels. That run was the only run scored against them in their last four WB games. But the Shamrock train had a full head of steam, and refused to be intimidated! Rachael Davies led off the game reaching on an infield error, Heon singled to left, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and Sam Miller delivered an RBI sac fly to center. The Rockets answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the first. Oh yeah? The Shamrocks answered right back with a vengeance in the bottom of the second, to put the game well out of reach. Carolyn Jones led off with a single. Sam Miller was hit by a pitch. Whitney Miller singled to center to load the bases. Alyson Heon followed with an RBI single to center, scoring Jones. Sam Ingersoll put the exclamation point on everything, as she blasted a line drive, grandslam homerun WAY over the fence, which brought many ooohs and aaaaahs from the crowd. That blast was the eventual game-winning hit. In the third, the Shamrocks kept up the offensive pressure. Alicia Field singled to left, and moved to second when the LF mishandled the ball. Caitlin Romano went in to run for Field. Sam Miller followed with an RBI double to the fence in right, scoring Romano. The Rockets would not go down quietly, combining a 2-out rally in the fourth, with three straight hits and a score. With the score now 7-2, the Rockets got serious. A lead off single to RC, a groundout, and a double scored a run. Gardner was running out of gas, so enter Kelley Engman to save the game with one out in the sixth. The first batter lined to SS, who tagged second for the double play to get us out of the inning. The score is now 7-3, and we only need three more outs. So what do we do? We score three more runs of course! Sam Ingersoll single to left, Bridget Desbois doubled, Alicia Field gets an RBI single to left, scoring Ingersoll (Romano in to run for Field). Desbois is out at the 3 rd -home plate rundown (replacement play), on a Carolyn Jones grounder. Runners advance to 2 nd and 3 rd just like we put it on the drawing board! Sam Miller grounded to SS, scoring the speedy Romano from third. Up comes Sheila Davies who crushes a line drive to deep left center, scoring Jones. So, now it is 10-3, and we only need three outs. Kelly Engman shut them down with three infield ground balls to end the game. Only four of the 115 teams are left standing to play on Sunday . the Shamrocks are one of them . who would'a thunk it last Wednesday.

We have dubbed Saturday as "The Saturday Massacre"

Game 12 SoCal Choppers 4 Shamrocks 0

Oh well, there was no gas left in the Shamrock tank. The SoCal Choppers have a wonderful blend of pitching, defense, speed, and power. It all proved to be too much for the Shamrocks to handle, but we left the field with our heads held high. We proved to the softball world that we are the real deal. Not many teams are capable of losing as early as we did, and with our backs to the wall, come back to win nine straight for a top four finish. It was a great exhibition of Shamrock can-do attitude, determination and guts. I am so proud of our team and our organization.