5/22  The Emeralds are a little different group this year. We are put together from some returning players, some move up players and even a couple of new players. Right now, practices are doubled up and it has become very apparent that everyone is aware that they are all fighting for positions! With effort being the key, not to mention a few bruises, things are really starting to click. Our first tournament is Saturday and, by then, we hope to be ready to start the season off with a BANG!!

 

5/28   (PQ TOURNAMENT)  Well, we've made it through our first tournament...and what a trip it was! The Emeralds showed up Saturday morning eager and ready to put to use the skills we have been working on so hard. From the second inning of the first game on, we were on fire! Our defense executed almost flawlessly, our offense was explosive and our enthusiasm was overwhelming.  Pitching, batting and defense...we had it all going. The crowd was behind us and, most of all,  the girls REALLY played as a team. This is truly a "special" group....players and parents alike!

   Tournament stats: We won all of our 5 games and outscored our opponents 41-5. End result....TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!!!

   We are headed to San Marcos next weekend and are actually entered in the "A" division. This should be a good experience for everyone and I think we will respond well to the challenge.

 

6/03   (SAN MARCOS TOURNAMENT) Hoping to ride the momentum from the last tournament, the Emeralds traveled to San Marcos this weekend. Our first game proved to be quite an eye opener, and after a pretty good beating by a tough Carlsbad team, it was time to re-group. During the after game meeting, we went over a few things and I challenged the team to show up at the next game with the same enthusiasm as they had the previous weekend. The next day we faced a very tough team from Los Alimitos and we squeaked out a close 4 to 3 win. I still felt we had something left and I could see that the team was starting to build confidence! After that, all I can say is...."OH BABY!" A great win against San Marcos and then another win in which we defeated the same Carlsbad team that had our number the day before. Now we get into the Championship game against a very talented Orange Villa Park. The Emeralds came out smokin' and played an awesome game. In the end, it was Emeralds 10 OVP 6.

   Tournament stats: 4 wins and 1 loss, against some very talented teams in the "A" division. End results, and for the second week in a row....TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!

 6/10  (Mira Mesa Tournament) What a difference a week makes :-(

Although we won our first two games, we never really could get it going this weekend. Our bats were just average and we couldn't seem to put a string of hits together when we needed. We had some great defensive plays...and then the error bug would show up at the worst possible time. With 2 losses, both were to teams that made it to the finals, our weekend was over.

   We are going to try our secret weapon next weekend...(Mountain Dew and Sweet Tarts!)

   Tournament stats: 2 wins -2 losses...and we really played worse than that. We are looking forward to next weekend in the hopes that we can get back into form!

 

 6/19 (Poway Tournament) Mountain Dew and Sweet Tarts....can't say for sure, but they certainly didn't hurt! We played very well this weekend and really kept the errors to a minimum. Our bats were hot and we were able to execute, both offensively and defensively, to get us into the Championship game. The final game was against Murrieta (a GREAT bunch of people) and one of the most enjoyable games we've played all year. Again, our offense and defense was strong and we came up with a 4-1 victory!

   Tournament stats: We took 6 games straight, and for the third time this year, ended up....TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!

 

6/24 (DISTRICT TOURNAMENT) Unfortunately, things didn't turn out the way we planned! Came out very flat in the first game....and then tried to come back from there. However, it was a good learning experience for all of the girls and we will use that to succeed in the future.

   Tournament stats: 2 wins and 2 losses.

 

7/01 (Escondido Tournament) Our goal here was to use what we had learned the week before and then try to avoid any slow starts. The team came out MUCH better than last week and started off with a great game against the fun Murrieta bunch. One of our past strengths has been our ability to build momentum...and that's exactly what we did. In the Championship game, we ended up facing Bonita Valley....AGAIN! We have played this team several times this year and have learned to expect a battle. The game stared off well and we were up several runs early....then we were down....then we were up. It had been a long day and the heat was starting to take its toll. After a back and forth battle, and a couple of pitching changes, we went the full 7 innings and were able to come out on top. This weekend was a solid team effort...and the players, parents and coaches really pulled together for this one. "This is truly a special group!"

   Tournament stats: We were undefeated in 6 games and, for the fourth time this year, ended up....TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!

 

7/08 (Rancho Bernardo Tournament) One of the "A" teams had pulled out and we were asked if we would be interested in playing in the Gold bracket. Having done so well in the last "A" tournament, we gladly accepted. Going in, our confidence was good and we were looking forward to the challenge....AND THEN IT HAPPENED! I get a call from one of the parents and I am told that our number one pitcher, and lead off batter, is not feeling well...but she would check back prior to the game. End result, after an emergency appendectomy....we need to regroup and come up with another plan! We knew we had to end up in a certain spot, when it came to bracket play, and we set a goal. Believe it or not, we ended up ranked EXCACTLY where we wanted to be! The girls played their hearts out and really responded to the challenge. We were all astonished when our pitcher, minus her appendix, hobbled down to the field and joined the crowd to support the team for the last couple of games...and that really helped the girls! We defeated RB to make it to the Championship game, and then....IT HAPPENED AGAIN! Our third basemen had pulled a muscle in her neck and had to come out.

   Going into that last game, as the walking wounded, we just wanted to hold our own. We hit well and made some great defensive plays...but still came up a bit short. Down two of our starting players and running on empty....IT WAS STILL AN AWESOME TOURNAMENT!

   Tournament stats: 3 wins, 2 losses and 1 tie....ending up SECOND PLACE IN THE "A" DIVISION!

 

   This season has been one of the most memorable and successful seasons I have ever had. I couldn't ask for a better group of parents....and I couldn't ask for a better group of coaches!

 

   Girls,

       Individually and as a team, you all played some amazing ball! It has been my pleasure to see you all improve and work together as well as you did. The coaches, the parents and the fans were absolutely wonderful, and I need to say it one more time...."This is truly a special group!"