Ford Park
Beaumont, TX
July 26 - August 1, 2004
3 pool game, 3 bracket game guarantee (modified double elimination bracket)
Maximum 128 teams (supposedly)
The 14U Texas Aces went into the 18U National Tournament hoping to play some strong teams to help them improve their game. They faced strong teams all the way through, and got what they wanted out of it. Although the Aces only won one game, they played well against the much older teams, and often held the lead for several innings. The experience of the olders teams prevailed in the end, but the young Aces had them all worried!
| Opponent | W/L/T | Us | Them | |
| Louisiana Cajun Peppers 18U |
L |
0 |
3 |
|
| Southern California Select 18U Gold |
W |
2 |
1 |
|
| CenTex Babes 18U |
L |
3 |
4 |
|
| Kansas City Wind Warriors 18U |
L |
1 |
4 |
|
| California Rage 18U Gold |
L |
2 |
6 |
|
| Houston Power18U Gold | L |
5 |
9 |
|
| Order of Finish |
The first pool game was scheduled for 8:30 pm, but got started around 10:00 pm on the first day of pool play. The late time seemed to find the Aces asleep. Sarah pitched the first three innings for the Aces, and Lana Jo came in for the last two. Lindsey, Rhiannon, and Lana Jo each had a base hit. The Aces had a couple of other base runners as Kendall and Stephanie each walked once, and Amber reached on catcher interference. However, the Aces couldn't put a run on the board. The Cajun Peppers scored one run on two hits in the 2nd. A walk and an error led to another run in the 3rd, and a walk and a single scored another in the 4th. The Aces had bases loaded with only one out in the 5th, but left all three stranded.
Pool Game 2 - vs Southern California Select 18U Gold. Aces won 2-1.
In the first inning, Lindsey singled and Rhiannon followed with a double, but both were left stranded. Rhiannon pitched for the Aces, and the SoCal Select were 3-up-3-down in the bottom of the 1st. Kelsea walked to lead off the 2nd. Lana Jo hit into a fielder's choice which failed to get Kelsea at 2nd. Kesha followed with an RBI single. Stephanie bunted to advance the runners, but two were left stranded. In the bottom of the 2nd, SoCal Select led off with a single and quickly stole 2nd. The next batter hit to Lindsey at short. The runner from 2nd tried to advance, but Lindsey went after the runner who was called out for leaving the base path trying to avoid the tag. Another base hit and a walk loaded the bases, but a grounder to Megan at 3rd got the force at the plate, and a fly ball to Sarah in right left all three stranded. Megan and Kelsea both walked in the 3rd, but both were left stranded. In the bottom of the 3rd, a lead off walk and an error allowed a run to score for SoCal Select on sac fly to center. In the 4th, Kesha led off with a single, advanced on a sac bunt by Ashley, and stole 3rd. Kendall laid down a perfect suicide bunt to score Kesha. Lindsey followed with a single up the middle, but two were left stranded. Rhiannon and the Aces defense held the SoCal select 3-up-3-down in the bottom of the inning to secure the win.
Pool Game 3 - vs CenTex Babes 18U. Aces lost 3-4.
Kesha reached on an error in the 1st, and was safe at 2nd on a fielder's choice by Lindsey. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Rhiannon brought home Kesha with a suicide squeeze bunt. Kelsea also attempted a squeeze, but Lindsey was caught at the plate. Rhiannon scored on an error. Lana Jo singled, but Kelsea was caught rounding 3rd. Lana Jo pitched for the Aces, and the Babes were 3-up-3-down in the 1st. In the bottom of the 2nd, the Babes led off with a hit. After Megan caught a pop foul behind the plate for the 1st out, she threw to Rhiannon at 1st to pick off the runner for the 2nd out. Lana Jo walked one, but Amber tagged out the runner going to 2nd on a fielder's choice. Kesha led off with a single in the 3rd, and advanced on a sac bunt by Lindsey. Rhiannon singled to score Kesha. Rhiannon advanced to 3rd on a passed ball. Megan was safe on a hit to 3rd and the fielder held Rhiannon. Both runners were left stranded. The Babes had two hits on two outs in the 3rd, but a strikeout by Lana Jo left both stranded. Ashley singled in the 4th and advanced on a sac bunt by Stephanie, but was left stranded. The Babes had one single in the bottom of the 4th, but the runner was out on a fielder's choice. Megan caught the runner stealing 2nd for the 2nd out. Another runner reached on error, but Megan threw to Rhiannon again to pick off the runner at 1st. Lindsey reached on an error in the 5th and made it to 3rd base. Rhiannon hit a sac fly to deep center field, and Lindsey crossed the plate. However, on the appeal, she was called out for leaving the base before the catch was made. That seemed to be the turning point for the Aces, as they then lost their 3 run lead in the bottom of the 5th when the first batter reached on an error. A base hit put two on with no outs. Rhiannon came in to attempt the save, but a single scored the Babes first run. A walk loaded the bases, and the Babes pulled the suicide squeeze for another run. An error allowed another run to score, and a single put the Babes ahead to win the game. If the Aces had held out to win this game, they would have taken 1st in their pool.
Bracket 1 - vs Kansas City Wind Warriors 18U. Aces lost 1-4.
The Aces played their worst defensive game of the tournament in the first bracket game. Rhiannon pitched for the Aces. The Warriors had two base runners in the 1st on an error and a single, but both were left stranded. Another runner reached on an error in the 2nd, and scored on another error. The Warriors hit a single on two outs in the 3rd, but the runner was left stranded. In the 4th, the Warriors led off with a single, and another runner reached on an error after two outs, but both runners were left stranded. The Aces had their first baserunner in the bottom of the 4th, as Rhiannon hit a two out single, and Megan followed with another single. However, both were left stranded. The leadoff Warrior batter in the 5th was hit by a pitch, and advanced on a sac bunt and a groundout. A single scored the run, and a strikeout left one stranded. Amber walked in the 5th, but was left stranded. Kesha led off the 6th with a walk, and was safe at 2nd on a fielder's choice by Lindsey. Rhiannon followed with a walk to load the bases. Megan grounded out to 2nd to score Kesha, and two were left stranded. The Aces were running out of steam in the 7th, as the Warriors scored two runs on three singles and one walk. Sarah singled on two outs in the bottom of the 7th, but was left stranded.
Bracket 2 - vs California Rage 18U Gold. Aces lost 2-6.
Lindsey singled in the 1st, and scored on a double by Megan. Lana Jo pitched for the Aces, and got the Rage 3-up-3-down in the 1st and 2nd. Kendall singled in the 2nd, but was left stranded. The Aces were 3-up-3-down in the 3rd. The Rage had one baserunner on an error in the bottom of the 3rd, but the runner was left stranded. Megan led off with a single in the 4th, but was out on a fielder's choice on a bunt by Sarah. Sarah was out on a fielder's choice to 3rd by Kelsea. Kendall singled, but two runners were left stranded. The Rage led off with two consecutive singles in the 4th, and a sac bunt advanced the runners to 2nd & 3rd. A hit back to the pitcher got the out at the plate. A single scored the Rage's first run. An error on a pop-up to first allowed two more runs to score. In the 5th, Stephanie walked on one out. Lindsey bunted for a single. Rhiannon singled to load the bases. Megan was hit by a pitch to score a run. Sarah hit into a fielder's choice which got the runner at the plate, and a strikeout left three stranded. The Rage led off with a single in the bottom of the 5th. The next batter reached on an error. A single loaded the bases, and the runner from 3rd scored on a wild pitch. The next batter hit into a fielder's choice which held the runner at 3rd and loaded the bases again. Lindsey got the lead runner at the plate on a hit to short. Lana Jo got the lead runner at the plate on a grounder to the pitcher. However, on two outs, a single down the 1st base line allowed two runs to score before the Aces shut down the Rage. Stephanie singled on two outs in the 6th, but was left stranded. The Aces were in the game the whole time, but just couldn't quite make the plays they needed.
Bracket 3 - vs Houston Power 18U Gold. Aces lost 5-9.
The Aces were down to nine players for this early Friday morning game, as Lindsey and Lana Jo were both out with a stomach virus. Kelsea covered short, and Kendall covered 3rd to make up for the missing players. Sarah pitched for the Aces. The Power started with a leadoff single, and stole 2nd. The runner advanced to 3rd on a sac bunt. The next batter was hit by a pitch, and stole 2nd. A line drive to Amber at 2nd held the runners. A single to right scored two runs. Another single and a walk loaded the bases. However, Kendall fielded a grounder to 3rd for the final out and left all three stranded. The Power pitcher was struggling, as she hit Kesha and Sarah with a pitch to start the bottom of the 1st. Rhiannon followed with a single down the right field line to load the bases. The Power then went to a second pitcher. Megan laid down a perfect bunt to score the first runner and keep the bases loaded. Amber doubled to bring home two more runs. After a ground out, a walk loaded the bases again. Ashley laid down another suicide bunt to score another run. Ashley was caught in a rundown at 2nd as Amber scored the Aces 5th run. A strikeout left one stranded. On one out in the 2nd, the Power hit two consecutive singles. An error then loaded the bases. A fielder's choice to 2nd failed to get the lead runner at the plate. Rhiannon came in to pitch for the Aces, and Kendall moved to 1st and Kesha to 3rd. A groundout back to Rhiannon scored one run, but Kelsea got the out at 1st. A single scored another run, then Rhiannon struck out the next batter for the 3rd out. The Power came back with a third pitcher (Elise Orange) in the bottom of the 2nd to try and shut down the Aces. The Aces were 3-up-3-down with two ground outs and a pop up. In the 3rd, Rhiannon struck out the first two batters, and the next one singled. However, the runner was called out for leaving the base early. The Aces were 3-up-3-down on ground outs again in the bottom of the 3rd. The Power led off with a single in the 4th. The next batter singled to score a run and give the Power the lead. The runner stole 2nd, and advanced on a ground out. Another batter walked, as a run scored on a wild pitch. A strikeout and a fly out left one stranded. The Aces were 3-up-3-down in the 4th. The Power had one single on two outs in the 5th, but the runner was left stranded. Rhiannon hit a triple on two outs in the 5th, and Megan followed with a walk. However, Megan was caught trying to draw the throw to 2nd, leaving Rhiannon stranded at 3rd. The first Power batter was called out for stepping on the plate on a bunt attempt, and the next one flew out to Kelsea at short. The next batter singled, and quickly stole 2nd & 3rd before scoring on a wild pitch. The next batter singled, but this time Megan threw to Kelsea at short and caught the runner stealing. Amber and Kendall singled in the 2nd, but Amber was picked off at 2nd base. Kendall was left stranded. The Power scored a final run on two singles in the 7th. The Aces couldn't answer back in the bottom of the inning. All in all, the Aces still played a pretty good game considering they were missing several players in starting positions with no subs against an 18U Gold team.
|
Pool |
Order |
Team |
City |
State |
|
EEC |
1st |
OK / Tulsa Eagles Gold |
|
|
|
YD |
2nd |
TX /
Beaumont Blast Gold - info |
|
|
|
TA |
3rd |
LA / VooDoo Gold* - info |
Destrehan |
|
|
DB |
4th |
LA / |
|
|
|
AC |
5th |
AL / Thrillers Red |
|
|
|
CB |
5th |
IL / Stone City Sharks |
|
|
|
AAA |
5th |
MO / Diamond Wildcats |
Holts |
|
|
RB |
5th |
TX /
Sudden Impact (Pete) |
Spring |
|
|
JD |
9th |
CA / Jets Gold |
Agoura
Hills |
|
|
CCA |
9th |
TX / |
|
|
|
CA |
9th |
|
|
|
|
CD |
9th |
TX / Texas Misfits |
|
|
|
JJC |
13th |
MS /
Diamond Girls |
|
|
|
GA |
13th |
OK /
All-stars |
|
|
|
SD |
13th |
|
|
|
|
GD |
13th |
TX / Texas Rapid Fire |
Flower
Mound |
|
|
AAB |
17th |
CA / Sudden Impact Gold |
|
|
|
FC |
17th |
LA / Louisiana Magic |
|
|
|
CCC |
17th |
TX / Texas
Challengers (Joe) - info |
Brazoria |
|
|
JA |
17th |
TX / Texas Peppers Gold |
Tomball |
|
|
BBD |
21st |
CA /
Running Rebels Gold (Bob) |
|
|
|
DDC |
21st |
LA / Cajun
Peppers |
|
|
|
SC |
21st |
OK /
Eclipse |
|
|
|
GGD |
21st |
TX / Humble Cobras |
|
|
|
EC |
21st |
TX / Mystixx 16U (Jay) |
|
|
|
GGC |
21st |
TX / North
Texas Storm - info |
|
|
|
OD |
21st |
TX / Texas Stampede |
|
|
|
NB |
21st |
TX / Texas Storm 16U |
Bellaire |
|
|
JJB |
29th |
Santa Fe
Springs |
|
|
|
EEB |
29th |
|
|
|
|
HHD |
29th |
Lafeyette |
|
|
|
FFC |
29th |
LA /
Redsticks 007’s |
|
|
|
BBC |
29th |
MO / |
|
|
|
PB |
29th |
OK / |
|
|
|
EB |
29th |
OK /
Native Pride |
|
|
|
BBA |
29th |
TX / Texas
Spark Plugs - info |
|
|
|
RD |
37th |
LA /
Patriots |
|
|
|
LC |
37th |
NE / |
|
|
|
HA |
37th |
OK / Magic |
|
|
|
DDB |
37th |
TX / Centex Babes |
|
|
|
ZA |
37th |
TX /
Cy-Fair Intruders (Dan) |
|
|
|
PC |
37th |
TX / Houston Power Gold |
|
|
|
JC |
37th |
TX / Katy Heat 16U |
Katy |
|
|
GC |
37th |
TX / MC Elite Gold |
Magnolia |
|
|
NC |
37th |
TX / No
Chance |
|
|
|
AB |
37th |
TX / |
|
|
|
PD |
37th |
WA / Lady
Titans |
|
|
|
AA |
49th |
|
|
|
|
GB |
49th |
CA / So
Cal Strike Force - info |
|
|
|
BB |
49th |
CO / Pony
Express Stallions |
|
|
|
OC |
49th |
IL /
Typhoons |
|
|
|
XB |
49th |
LA / Lady
Hawks |
|
|
|
ND |
49th |
LA / Louisiana Rippers |
|
|
|
LB |
49th |
MO / St. Louis Marauders |
|
|
|
JJA |
49th |
TX / Austin Storm Red 16U |
|
|
|
DD |
49th |
TX /
Mystixx Gold (Garza) |
|
|
|
HB |
49th |
TX / Texas
Playmakers - info |
|
|
|
DA |
49th |
TX / Texas Slammers 16U |
|
|
|
EA |
49th |
TX / Tomboys Gold |
|
|
|
DDA |
61st |
|
|
|
|
FA |
61st |
CA / Girls
in Black - info |
|
|
|
MA |
61st |
CA / Riverside Rookies |
Mira Loma |
|
|
XD |
61st |
CA / So Cal Rage Gold* |
Quartz Hill |
|
|
BD |
61st |
LA / Aces |
|
|
|
ZB |
61st |
NE / Quakes Black |
|
|
|
UC |
61st |
OK /
Outrage |
|
|
|
BBB |
61st |
Colleyville |
|
|
|
XC |
61st |
TX / Danger Zone |
|
|
|
WB |
61st |
TX / East Texas Flash |
|
|
|
VA |
61st |
TX / |
|
|
|
UB |
61st |
TX / Hit
Away |
Spring |
|
|
HD |
61st |
TX / Houston Power 16U |
|
|
|
OA |
61st |
TX / Houston Power Red |
|
|
|
EEA |
61st |
TX / San
Antonio HITT - info |
|
|
|
GGA |
61st |
TX / |
|
|
|
ZC |
61st |
TX / Texas Connection |
|
|
|
XA |
61st |