The Pride 14U
“B” team finished second in the softball tournament held at
Community Park last weekend, outscoring their opponents 36-12.
The Pride 14U “B” team finished second in the softball tournament held at Community Park last weekend, outscoring their opponents 36-12.
Over this six game series, the Pride team combined for four home runs, three triples and three doubles.
Pride 6, Nova 1
The Pride started off pool play on Friday night against the Mt. View Nova, who came out swinging in the first inning to score their only run of the game. The defensive play by the Pride shut them down for the rest of the game.
The Pride bats were quiet until the bottom of the third when Allyson Yamashita started the inning off with a single, and Jessica Ikerd followed with a bunt. Leadoff hitter Henningsen came to the plate and laid down a perfect bunt to score the first run for the Pride. A three-run home run to right field by Lindsey Capozza put the Pride up 4-1.
In the fourth inning, Sabrina LaCorte hit a single and then scored on a double by Yamashita to put the Pride up 5-1. With one out in the fifth inning, the Pride went to work again. Henningsen walked and then stole second and third base before scoring on a single and fake steal by Heather Hays.
Pride 4, Diamonds 1
In the early Saturday morning game, the Pride defeated the Delta Diamonds.
The scoring started in the second inning by Amber Isbell, who scored on a passed ball. The Pride scored two more runs in the fourth inning on a single by Ondich, an RBI triple by Isbell and a sacrifice bunt by LaCorte.
The scoring was capped off in the sixth inning with a towering home run by Heather Hays. Outstanding defense by the Pride held the Diamonds to only one run in the game.
In the second inning, Henningsen made an awesome sliding catch in left field. In the third inning, the Diamondbacks loaded the bases with only one out, but failed to score due to the outstanding play by shortstop Allyson Yamashita for the second out and a catch by right fielder Gennifer Giusiana to end the inning.
Pride 8, Rebels 3
This was a see-saw battle until the final inning when the Pride scored five runs against the Rohnert Park Rebels to put the game away.
The Pride’s offensive damage came from the bats of Isbell and Ondich, each hitting home runs. Henningsen and Ikerd doubled.
The Pride got out of trouble in the fifth inning after Rebels’ leadoff hitter had a triple. The first out of the inning was made by a terrific athletic catch by right fielder Ikerd.
The Pride defended an attempted squeeze play to perfection when third baseman Isbell fielded the bunt quickly shoveling it to catcher Hays to get the second out of the inning. Second baseman Theresa Jacobs gobbled up the third out.
At the end of pool play on Saturday, pitcher Lindsey Capozza had allowed only five runs in three games, and the Pride “B” team found itself in the first seed position of Sunday’s single elimination play.
Pride 14, Crushers 2
In the intense heat, the Pride defeated the Crushers.
The five-run rally in the first inning started with a single by Henningsen, who stole second and third and scored on a single by Capozza. Ondich smashed a two-run RBI triple, Yamashita singled and Giusiana knocked in two more runs.
The Pride scored in the first inning and every other inning in the game. A heads-up double play by second baseman Jackie Palacios ended the third inning.
Pride 4, Rebels 3
In the second inning Isbell got on with a walk and advanced on a single by Yamashita and both scored on a single by Jacobs.
Hays started the third inning off with a single scoring on a triple by Ondich. The fourth run was scored on a sacrifice ground ball to score Ondich.
In the second inning, two of the three outs were made when the Rebels attempted to steal second twice, but were thrown out both times by the strong arm of the Pride catcher Heather Hays.
The third out of that same inning was made when a hard hit line drive down the third base line was picked up by left fielder Henningsen who threw to third base to get the runner.
With bases loaded in the fourth inning, Giusiana made a spectacular catch in right field to end the inning.
Sting 2, Pride 1
The Pride matched up in the championship game against the San Jose Sting. The Pride lost in the championship 2-1. It was the third game in a row for the Pride on this extremely hot day. Capozza, the Pride’s workhorse on the mound, was worn down.
Jackie Palacios pitched five strong innings allowing only two runs.
The Pride’s only scored in the game came in the first inning when Henningsen got on base with a bunt and scored on a passed ball. Once again, it was the defense that kept the Pride competitive.
Henningsen threw out a runner trying to score from second base. In the third inning, Ondich turned a double play fielding a ground ball tagging first and throwing to second to get the third out of the inning.
The Pride 14U “B” team was coached this year by Jimmy Palacios, Patric and Briana Kelly, Kurt Ikerd, hitting coach Rich Yamashita and pitching coach Angela Locsin.
