When Tommy Orndorff’s 18U Shamrocks were defeated 2-1 by the NJ Dreamers at PONY Nationals in Raleigh, NC there was a feeling of disappointment and disbelief. After all, the 18U squad had reached the championship game in three of the previous five PONY National Championships and had claimed the top prize in ’98 and ’02.

ASA Gold Runner-Up Plaque Click on the above image for a larger image

But this loss in the early morning of the final day just may have been a blessing in disguise for the Shamrocks as they were able to return home early on Saturday and get some much needed rest before heading to Salem, OR for the granddaddy of them all - ASA 18U Gold Nationals. Perhaps even more important was the fact that ace pitcher Stephanie VanBrakle (Univ. of Alabama) was able to recoup from a blister on her pitching hand that prevented her from throwing her rise ball in Raleigh. The rest paid off as VanBrakle led the Shamrocks to an astounding runner-up finish in the National Tournament that featured 64 of the top teams in the United States including some 15+ teams from California. The Orange County Batbusters defeated the Shamrocks 5-1 in the Championship Game but not before the “Rocks” made a lasting impression on the competition, the 200+ college coaches and the several hundred fans in attendance. It was the highest finish ever for a team from the East Coast in what is generally a national tournament dominated by California’s finest.

The Shamrocks opened the tournament with pool play victories over the California Worth Firecrackers 3-2 and the Blazing Angels (PA) 3-1. Those victories earned the Shamrocks one of 16 top seeds entering the double elimination portion of the tournament. High Voltage, TX proved to be a stubborn first round opponent but Stephanie VanBrakle tossed a 2-hitter with 10 strikeouts and Dani Woods (Hunt Valley, MD) hit a 2-out, 2 run home run in the last inning for the 2-0 Shamrock victory. Next up was a rematch with the Blazing Angels but it was the Shamrocks bats that were on fire in this one as the “Rocks” cruised to an 8-0 second round victory and advanced to the round of 16 in the winners bracket. A very good Impact Gold (TX) team was the next opponent for the Shamrocks but an early mistake to power hitting 1B Dani Woods resulted in a 2-run homer in the 1st inning and Stephanie VanBrakle made sure it was enough as she pitched a brilliant 2-hitter with 14 K’s and cruised to a 3-0 victory advancing the Shamrocks to the final 8 in the winners bracket and ensuring the team of a Top 10 Gold finish for the first time in team history. VanBrakle followed that up with a 3-hitter, 12 K performance as the Shamrocks advanced to the Final 4 with an eight inning 2-0 victory over the Tulsa Eagles. The competition continued to stiffen as the Shamrocks and Florida PGB Gators were the only non-California teams remaining in the top 10. Both would lose in the winners bracket semi-finals but the Shamrocks came ever so close to defeating the Worth Firecrackers (CA) for the second time in 3 days as they battled 9 long innings of a wild contest ending in a 11-9 victory for the Californians. The Shamrocks battled back from a 6-1 deficit to tie and again from a 9-6 deficit in the last inning to tie it at 9-9 and force the international tie breaker in extra innings. But the Firecrackers plated 2 runs in the 9th and sent the “Rocks” into the losers bracket with only one day remaining in the tournament. The good news was the Shamrocks were now insured of a top 5 finish – the bad news was they now had to win 5 games on Sunday to claim the National Championship. Long odds indeed for an East Coast team facing California’s finest but the Shamrocks were peaking and believing and more than looking forward to the task at hand. The Shamrocks opened Sunday morning with an impressive 6-0 win over the Case Batbusters (CA). The win ensured them of a 4th place finish and an automatic berth in the 2004 National Tournament to be held in Marietta, GA. Next up – the Gordon’s Panthers (CA), a perennial power and a top 5 finisher in every Gold Nationals since its inception in the mid-90’s. But Stephanie VanBrakle proved to be too much for the powerful Panthers as she clubbed a tape measure home run in the first inning and then made it hold up as she tossed a 1-hitter and struck out 8 in the 1-0 upset victory for the Shamrocks. Now on a major roll and full of confidence the Shamrocks would again face the Worth Firecrackers who were 3-0 losers in the winner’s bracket final versus the Orange County Batbusters. Feeling they should have won the extra inning 11-9 setback the night before, the Shamrocks had revenge on their minds and were determined to reach the championship game. The Shamrocks parlayed 3 hits into 2 runs in the first 3 innings and led 2-0 in the fourth. Pitcher Julie Saporito (Freehold, NJ) was cruising in the 4th when she suddenly allowed 2 walks and a 3-run homer and the Shamrocks now trailed 3-2. But quit they would not as Stephanie VanBrakle answered with a grand slam home run in the 5th inning and a 6-3 Shamrock lead. The “Rocks” added 3 insurance runs in the 6th and went on to win 9-3 and advance to the Championship Game. Faced with having to defeat the defending champion Orange County Batbusters twice, the Shamrocks were confident and determined but they were also beginning to show signs of fatigue. But battle they would and trailing 2-1 in the last inning the Shamrocks still felt they had a shot. VanBrakle however, tired in the 7th and the Batbusters managed 3 late insurance runs, a 5-1 victory and their second consecutive National Championship. The Shamrocks, who by now were clearly the crowd favorites, had to settle for runner-up but nevertheless, quite an impressive accomplishment and the highest finish ever for any team east of the Mississippi.

The Shamrocks were led in the circle by Stephanie VanBrakle with a 7-1 record, 73 K’s in 56+ innings and a brilliant 1.00 ERA. Shortstop Courtney Bures (Haymarket, VA) led the offense with a .421 batting average and only 2 K’s in 41 plate appearances. She also led the defense with 15 putouts and 35 assists. 1B Dani Woods batted .342 with 3 home runs and 8 RBI. Stephanie VanBrakle also had 3 home runs and added 10 RBI. As a team the Shamrocks finished the tournament with a record of 9-2. They outscored the opponents by a count of 46-22 (allowing 11 of the 22 in one game) and batted .284 as a team. The pitching was superb with a 1.34 ERA and the defense committed only 7 errors in 348 chances. The Shamrocks finish the season with a 51-12 record, an impressive Runner-up finish at ASA Gold Nationals in Salem, OR and an automatic berth and No.2 seed in the 2004 ASA Gold National Tournament to be held in Marietta, GA next August.