Penasquitos Memorial Day Classic: May 22-26
Congratulations to our Emeralds! In their first tournament they won their first four games, advanced to the semi-final game, before losing a tough 5-4 decision to Bonita Valley.
We started out in the rain on Friday night with a thrilling 5-4 win over Rancho Bernardo. The following day brought a great 7-4 win over Scripps Ranch C. On Sunday the girls pounded out an 8-0 win over Valley Mesa, followed by a 6-1 victory over Santee that put the team into the semi-finals.
The girls did great throughout their first tournament. Their hitting was fantastic, outscoring their opponents 26-9 during pool play. We're all so proud of them.
Scripps Ranch Invitational: May 29-June 1
Our Emeralds did it again! They advanced into bracket play and made it to the semi-finals of the tournament with a win over PQ Thunder 2-1 and a nice 6-3 decision over Peninsula. The only defeat in pool play was at the hands of a very tough W. Garden Grove squad by the score of 4-1.
Bracket play began with a 7-3 win over North Shore which set up the semi-final matchup against #1 seed, Northridge...a team that had outscored its opponents in pool play by a combined 32-1. Our girls gave them all they could handle before losing an exciting 5-4 thriller.
Again our Emeralds played their hearts out...playing very solid softball...and got the attention of a couple of very experienced teams from Orange County and L.A.
The smiles and the confidence of the girls continues to grow. We can't wait for our next game. What an awesome bunch of kids!
Mira Mesa Runway Classic: June 5-8
We knew this tournament would provide opportunities and challenges...and...it did. We were aware that our pool pitted our Emeralds against some of the best "A" teams in the tournament. Our girls played against their stiffest competition of the season...and we're proud of how they fared.
In our first game against an "A" team, our Emeralds beat Valley Mesa 2-1. What a fabulous game! We won't forget the promise and resolve our girls showed that night.
Next was a difficult assignment versus the "A" team from Vista. Our girls played hard and lost 4-0.
Saturday brought two tough games against Mission Viejo and Cerritos which resulted in losses of 7-1 and 12-0.
Our Emeralds learned valuable lessons about playing teams with tremendous intensity and aggressiveness. It helped us learn about stepping up our game in times of adversity...a lesson that will benefit our team tremendously.
We can't wait to move forward in our home tournament in Poway this next weekend. Thanks to all of you who support us!...
Poway Heat Summer Classic: June 12-15
Awesome stuff! Our girls made the finals in our home tournament...and what a weekend to remember! And although our Emeralds lost 6-3 in the finals against a great Vista team...they can walk away knowing that they advanced farther than they ever had before.
The girls went 3-1 in pool play with wins of 4-1 over both Clairemont and North Shore...a 5-3 decision over Santee, and a 9-3 loss at the hands of our eventual finals opponent, Vista.
The semi-final game was an exciting 7-4 win over Scripps Ranch, where the girls pounded out 9 hits...played skillfully and aggressively...and thumped a very good Scripps team.
The final game was well played and hard fought. It was a great experience for our Emeralds who have made us all so proud with their tenacity, hustle, and determination. We are so proud of our girls...and can't wait to take the field again. Thanks girls, for all the thrills!
Vista Classic: June 20-22
Another absolutely amazing performance by our Emeralds! They showed tremendous tenacity and a flair for the dramatic...making their second straight finals appearance. Our girls were on the brink of elimination twice...but were able to engineer thrilling comeback victories to advance.
This double elimination tournament started with a 6-5 loss to La Costa that put our Emeralds into the losers bracket right away. But they battled back. In our second game...down 5-1 to Rancho Bernardo...in our final at bat...the girls scored 5 runs with no outs to win an incredible 6-5 decision.
Sunday's games were no less exciting. Down 4-2 to Huntington Beach in the final inning, our girls again generated a fabulous 3-run comeback to win 5-4. A semi-final matchup against La Costa brought a 5-3 victory that set up another finals showdown against Vista. Our Emeralds played strong...pounding out 31 balls in play...out of 36 plate appearances, including a bases clearing home run...before losing a raucous 11-10 game to host Vista.
The sweat, the smiles, the tears, the joy and laughter of this weekend will always be remembered. Thanks again girls...you're truly awesome!
UC/Del Sol: June 26-29
This tournament provided another opportunity for our Emeralds to play against some local "A" teams...and our girls did great!
The girls advanced as the #1 seed from their pool after opening with an 11-2 win over Ramona "A". An early Saturday game, (and we're talkin' 7:30AM early!) brought a close 7-5 loss to Clairemont that was followed by a 12-0 win over Yuma, AZ. I think everyone slept well after arriving at the fields at 6:45AM!
The girls advanced into bracket play wearing their customary "Sunday whites". They opened against a tough UC/Del Sol "A" team and lost that quarterfinal matchup 8-1.
Our Emeralds kept battling through this tournament as they have so many times. It was awesome to see their resolve in tough situations...as well as their giddy, joyful expressions throughout the weekend. Thanks Emeralds for making us proud!
Today, June 29th, marks the 1-year anniversary of the passing of Nick Ferriss. May we keep him and the Ferriss family in our thoughts and prayers.
We also remember E.J. Ward...a great man who touched many of our lives. Thanks Sharon, for all you do for our girls!
Escondido Freedom Tournament: July 3-6
What an amazing encore performance by our Emeralds! And such a fitting end to a wonderful summer of softball. In 7 tournaments our girls won 21 games, reached 6 quarter-finals...4 semi-finals...and 2 finals. Just an awesome job by these kids!
The girls began this, their final tournament, with a 10-2 win over Murrieta. Then came two games against a couple of strong L.A. teams...and the girls prevailed with an 8-5 win over Torrance, followed by a 5-2 victory over Hart. With these wins the Emeralds earned another #1 seed in their pool.
Bracket play began with another patented, thrilling, come from behind win. Trailing Westlake/Agoura 4-2 in our final at bat...a bases clearing triple ignited a jubilant celebration, as the girls won 5-4 in walk-off style.
Sunday brought a 7-1 quarter-final loss to Menifee, proving that all good things must come to an end.
It was an unforgettable 10 weeks! Thank you Haley, Sabrina, Makayla, Megan, Brooke, Kayla M., Lorissa, Morgan, Taylor, Brennan, Dana, and Kayla W., our coaches...families and friends for such a magical time together. May God bless you all.
Some Things That I'll Miss The Most:
The rain in PQ
A.M. sleepy eyes in Scripps/UC Del Sol
Ouchies...that healed quickly
Cracked wiffle balls
"Celebration" by Kool & The Gang
Coaches who had everything set up...ready to go
High fives...and high elbows when the coaches had colds
Meetings at the circle
Exuberant, screaming, joyful faces
Holding back tears
Loud fans that willed us on
"No worries"
"1, 2, 3, Go Poway...Beat _"
Valle Verde Tuesdays
Restaurant tables filled with people that really care about our girls
The smell of sunscreen
Days that were really warm
"Everydays"
"Money balls"
Water balloons in Escondido
Potty breaks
"Ready To Go" by Republica
Mid-week phone calls with the coaches
Hugging our daughters after they'd just done something great...or not so great!
I'd better stop now...I can't see my monitor very well...Kleenex please!
Coach Mike