South Dakota Fusion Orange Starts Season Off With Wins

June 4 - 6, 2010

Fusion Orange started their 16 and under division play by earning championship titles at the Mitchell Swing into Summer and Prior Lake (MN) Spring Tune-Up Tournaments.

In Prior Lake, the team faced the Burnsville Blaze, Eden Prairie Fire, and Lakeville Lightning to earn their way into the championship game against Minnesota Synergy. It was a close game, with Fusion winning the game and the championship trophy with a score of 6-4. The team is pictured with their medals from this tournament.

On June 12 and 13, Fusion Orange participated in the first ever USSSA South Dakota State Tournament, held in Sioux Falls. After losing a second-round game to be dropped to the loser’s bracket, Orange fought its way back to the championship game against Fusion Black, their older 16U “sister” team. Fusion Orange prevailed in the first game (3-1) to force the “if needed” championship game, but lost the second game in a close 5-3 decision to take second-place honors.

Fusion Orange will be participating in the ASA National Qualifier tournament at Sherman Park in Sioux Falls on June 19-20 and then travelling to Oklahoma City on June 24 – 27 to take represent South Dakota in the ASA Hall of Fame tournament.

South Dakota Fusion Orange Is Recipient of 2010 Twins Competitive Youth Baseball/Softball Grant

The Twins Community Fund announced their plan earlier this year to distribute approximately $1 million in funds to promote and improve youth baseball, softball, and education in the Upper Midwest, southwest Florida, and Latin America. The grant funds would be awarded through five grant/scholarship programs: Fields for Kids, Tournament Grants, Youth Baseball/Softball Camp Scholarships, Competitive Youth Baseball/Softball Team Grants, and Youth Coaching Grants.

The Twins Community Fund, along with their cornerstone partners (Target, USBank, Best Buy, Treasure Island Resort & Casino, and Delta), have announced a $1,000 grant award to South Dakota Fusion Orange following the application and review process under the Competitive Youth Baseball/Softball Team Grants. These funds are earmarked to help with financial support for travel and operational costs for upper level, travel baseball and softball teams in the Upper Midwest.

Head Coach Devin Caress says, “Fusion Orange is very proud to have been selected to receive this grant and will put the funds to great use. Our players strive to become the best softball players possible and play against the best competition possible. This grant will help us achieve those goals.”

South Dakota Fusion Orange is a competitive 16U girls fastpitch softball team of players from Sioux Falls and the surrounding area. The team represented South Dakota at the Hall of Fame Tournament in Oklahoma City last year and placed 2nd in the 2009 USSSA World Series in Kansas last season.

Fusion Orange Reloads for 2010

January 22, 2010

After a very successful 2009 season that saw the 14U Fusion Orange Softball team finish with a 64 and 12 record and a National Runner-Up at the USSSA World Series, it’s time to reload for 2010.

The Fusion Orange Team will step up to16U for 2010 and they are ready for the challenge. A new age division, a new pitching distance, and some new teammates will compliment the same hard-working, never-quit, run-and-gun attitude that Fusion Orange has always had.

Orange is excited to bring some talented players into the fold for the upcoming campaign. The addition of these players will not only compliment the talent currently on the team but these new players will add depth and experience to the very successful team.

January 22, 2010

Tory McCreary

Tory comes to Fusion from the successful Vermillion Blaze Team. Tory brings a reputation as a solid infielder and a solid teammate. Fusion is excited to add Tory to our roster and the team is looking for Tory to add depth to our infield. Tory attends Elk Point-Jefferson High School in Elk Point, South Dakota, and plays multiple sports.

Danara Vanderloo

Danara played part of the 2009 season with Fusion Silver before taking time off to mend a bad shoulder. Danara plays third base and will see some time in the outfield. Danara will provide Fusion with speed, a strong arm, and very competitive attitude for 2010. Danara is a freshman at Washington High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Samantha Girard

Sami spent the 2009 season playing with the Blaze from Vermillion, South Dakota. A strong catcher and outfielder, Sami also brings a great game sense and an amazing attitude with her to compliment her physical talents. Sami will be called upon to be a vocal leader and to add depth to the outstanding catchers Fusion has in the fold. Sami is a sophomore at Vermillion High School in Vermillion, South Dakota.

Elizabeth Bye

Another talented player from the Vermillion Blaze joining Orange is Lizzy Bye. A pitcher who also plays infield and outfield, Lizzy will add depth to the team as a whole. Lizzy has a winning attitude and also brings a big bat to the lineup. Lizzy will be asked to join the very talented pitchers of Fusion in keeping opponents off the base path. Lizzy is a sophomore at Vermillion High School in Vermillion, South Dakota.

Please join us in welcoming these players to the South Dakota Fusion Orange softball team.

Fusion Orange Pays A Visit To The Softball Mecca

On Friday June 12th, 2009 the Fusion Orange Softball Team stepped on the fields of the ASA National Hall Of Fame Fields in Oklahoma City representing South Dakota, Sioux Falls and the entire Fusion Family.

What an honor it was to not only be the representative of our city and state, it was truly and honor to have 11 Fusion players playing on the same fields as the great Fusion teams that have been there before and to stand in the same positions as the college and Olympic players that we support and revere.

On Friday afternoon the Fusion team squared off against the The Oklahoma Force (Edmund Oklahoma) and lost 11 to 1. Friday night Fusion played six great innings of softball before falling into a bad inning and taking an 11 to 2 loss to The Atlanta Vipers (Atlanta Georgia). Saturday morning an injured and tired Fusion Team faced off in a lopsided 11 to 1 loss to a very good American Liberty Kruzer team (Ft. Worth Texas) and concluded its tournament run. Click here to see photos.

The losses do not reflect the great play and hustle that came from our players. The Fusion team also took a ton of experience and motivation from the amazing talent they witnessed at this premier event. To finish tied for 17th against the best teams in the nation is a great accomplishment.

The weekend also included visits to the ASA Hall Of Fame and the Oklahoma Bombing Memorial.

The Hall Of Fame is a great exhibit of the past and present of this wonderful sport. To see and read about all of the great players of the past makes our players thankful for the icons of our sport and how they have had a direct effect on the game we play today.

The Oklahoma Memorial allowed the Fusion players to put life and sports in perspective. To experience the peaceful calm in a place that was the site one of the worst days in American History reminds us that life is precious and you never know what tomorrow will bring. It allowed the players to understand that a loss on the field is nothing compared to the loss and sacrifice that took place there on that dark day.

The Fusion Orange Team is blessed and honored for the experience and the memories of the week. We would like to thank The South Dakota ASA, The Fusion Family and all of our sponsors who helped us attend this event and for all of the support we receive daily from each.