Fusion 12U Finishes First Season With Strong End of the Year Tournament Run

The Fusion 12U finished its first season with an overall record of 26-17-1 and second place finishes in both the State ASA Tournament and the SEFSA League Tournament.

The season included participation in 7 tournaments, including the Hall of Fame Tournament in Oklahoma City, OK during the first week of June. This trip offered the opportunity to view the US Olympic team twice on their “Bound for Beijing” tour, and the chance for the girls to secure some very sought after autographs from the players. Although the competition at this tournament proved to be considerable, the experience gained by the Fusion by playing against the very best teams in the country would pay dividends as the season progressed.

The 12U squad began to hit its tournament stride over the 4th of July weekend with an undefeated (3-0) pool play record in the first day of the International Ringneck Tournament in Sioux Falls. With victories over teams from Mound, MN and two Nebraska teams, the girls emerged with the only number one seed by a young 12 team for the tournament’s second day. Unfortunately, awaiting the Fusion was a very talented Brandon (SD) Crush team in the “A” bracket and the tournament ended in a 6-0 defeat.

The following weekend offered the opportunity to continue the tournament momentum in the SEFSA league event. Saturday’s action started with a hard fought 6-4 victory over a very stubborn Force team, and concluded with two more “w’s” over the Twisters and WC Express. The tournament’s second day began with the Fusion as one of the 4 undefeated teams remaining, and facing an older Shockwave team. After a convincing win over the Shockwave, it was time to face the Brandon Crush again. A 6-4 loss found the girls playing the Shockwave for the second time on Sunday with a trip to the championship game at stake. A 4-0 victory set the stage for a title game rematch with the Crush. A gritty effort by the entire team, and a stellar pitching performance by Regan Sheldon kept the game within one run, but it was still not quite enough as the older Brandon squad prevailed 4-3 in extra innings.

Buoyed by the performances of the prior two weekends, the now increasingly confident group took to the diamonds for the season finale, ASA State Tournament. Friday’s action opened with a familiar league foe in the Shockwave, and after a lethargic first three innings, the girls rebounded from a 5-1 deficit to secure a hard fought 9-5 victory and a second round match-up with the Sioux Falls Storm. With a solid defensive effort backing the always consistent pitching of Anna Nichols, the Storm were unable to muster a runner past first base after the first inning in a 8-0 loss to the Fusion. Saturday’s single game opponent was another SEFSA team stocked with 3 quality pick-up players, the SF Inferno. Five early inning runs combined with another quality Sheldon pitching outing, produced a 6-3 victory and a spot in the semi-final game slated for Sunday.

A well coached and fundamentally sound Rapid City Flames Blue team locked horns with the Nichols led Fusion in a game of previously undefeated teams with a spot in the State Championship game at stake. A very well pitched game by Anna coupled with some timely hitting and stingy defense produced a 4-2 lead that ultimately turned into a 5-4 defeat and a third place play in game with the now every weekend opponent Brandon Crush.

This time however, the orange clad 9 were up to the task, and sent the nemesis Crush home for the winter with a thrilling 2-1 triumph. With arguably the biggest victory in the team’s history safely tucked away, the Fusion once again set its sights on the Flames in the second title game in as many weekends.

The Championship game lived up to its billing producing the second 1 run defeat of the day for the Fusion at the hands of the Flames, 3-2. Scoring chances were limited during the game, with the Flames converting the final run on a pair of solid hits.

Even in defeat, the overall team performance(s) provide optimism for the years ahead. The season ended with the team executing all 3 facets of the game at a championship level, and provide a very solid foundation on which to build for the future. The hours of practice and dedication to this sport have produced a fundamentally proficient team that has yet to realize its true potential. Finishing second in the final 2 tournaments of the year as a true young team in the 12U division is a substantial accomplishment worth noting.

Individual accomplishments for the season include Regan Sheldon and Anna Nichols combining to create a formidable pitching duo that provides the cornerstone on which the team is built. Sheldon also developed into a very effective lead off hitter as the season progressed. Jenny Lindgren handled the catching duties and provided a power bat in the upper third of the line-up, along with controlling the tempo of the game from behind the plate. The infield is anchored by team captains Hannah Nieman and Whitney Berens. Their strength up the middle is complemented on the corners by Michaela Mayer and Sarah Nolan. This combination has produced an infield that not only is as solid as any in the league, but also includes two of the team’s top hitters in Nieman and Mayer. A late season flourish by Nolan shows that she is ready to have her name added to this list as well. The outfield consists of Kourtney Isaacson patrolling center and providing an on base percentage of over .550. Emma Schultz showed improvement in occupying the left field spot, with glimpses of power at the plate. The right field duties are shared by Rochelle Ramharter and Madisen Owan. Both serviceable fielders, their base running prowess and Ramharter’s left handed bat and smooth swing provide a nice compliment to the order. Brianna Stafford carved a niche as a power hitting specialist with a knack for big game drama.

With a tournament record of 18-14, and second place finishes in both the League and State tournaments, expectations are high for 2009 as the girls return to take care of…
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.