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Saturday, July 7
Storm Takes 4th at Fireworks Tournament
AZ Storm travelled to Colorado for the annual Fireworks tournament ending on 7/4. The team took 4th out of 59 teams, going 13-2-1 for the week. The team came away with some solid wins (Vienna Stars, Katy Express, Shamrocks) and the team's only losses came to the teams that took first (Lady Magic) and 2nd (Oklahoma Ice), which will give them something to work toward over the month leading up to ASA nationals.
Nice work ladies - keep up the hard work!
Sunday, June 24
92Storm-2007 Arizona State ASA Champions!
On June 22 - 24, 2007, AZ Storm 92 travelled to Tucson to compete for the Arizona State Championship. Prior to this year's merger of the Tucson and Phoenix Metro ASA Associations, teams from Phoenix were never able to compete in this tournament, so it was a unique opportunity.
First up on Friday night was EV Pride, which seems to play Storm tough at each opportunity. Down 3-2 midway through the game, Storm showed the determination we've all gotten used to and score three runs to go up 5-3. The team added additional runs in the final two innings and won by a final score of 7-3.
Saturday morning's game was against a solid Desert Thunder 93 team. Storm struck early with 1 run in the second, and then broke it open with four more runs a few innings later. Pitching and defense was solid all the way through and Storm sailed through with a 7-0 victory.
Saturday evening's game was against Hotshots 92, a team that Storm has traded games with since 10U. Storm broke out with 10 runs in the first inning on a combination of hits, walks, hit batters, bunts and squeeze plays. The Hotshots scored one run over the course of the game, which ended in a final score of 10-1.
This sent Storm to the winner's bracket championship v. the Scamblers, the same team that beat Storm in the HOF qualifier just three weeks earlier. This game started off quick again with Storm scoring three runs in the first. The team added additional four more runs in the fourth, and one in the fifth to secure the 8-0 run rule victory.
The final game was against the Suncats, who came all the way through the loser's bracket after losing their first game. The Suncats definitely came to play and put up an early run in the first, then added two more runs in the fourth. Storm responded with a run to keep it within reach, but the Suncats responded once again, increasing the lead back to three runs. In the seventh, Storm showed what they are made of and got the job done, scoring four runs to take the lead and then held on for the 5-4 win.
Congratulations!
Tuesday, June 19
Storm Forced to Settle For Runner-Up
Oklahoma City---The ASA Hall of Fame National Qualifiers continued this past weekend and once again has attracted tough competition from coast to coast. Beginning Friday, 24 of the top ASA Girls’ 14-Under fast pitch teams were competing at the ASA Hall of Fame Complex in search of a berth to the USA/ASA Girls’ 14-Under Class A National Championship Finals in Normal, Ill., July 29-August 5. The ASA Hall of Fame Qualifiers have become some of the most competitive events in the country. Teams earning their berth at the ASA Hall of Fame National Qualifier have historically placed among the top teams in the country.
On one side of the winner’s bracket semi-finals there was a west coast showdown with the Firecrackers of Orange County, Calif., facing the 92AZ Storm of Phoenix, Ariz. On the other side of the winner’s bracket there was a face off of teams from the eastern half of the United States, with the 92East Cobb Bullets set to face the St. Louis Esprit of St. Louis, Mo. The 92AZ Storm prevailed in their side of the bracket winning a close game 2-0 over the Firecrackers on a late inning pinch hit. While on the other side of the bracket the Bullets continued their winning ways, this time just edging Esprit 1-0.
With the winner’s bracket final set, Esprit and Firecrackers were sent to the loser’s bracket where each team bounced back from their semi-final losses. The Esprit dominated the Texas Glory of Dallas, Texas, who had already played four games on Saturday as they moved through the loser’s bracket, by a score of 10-0. The Firecrackers showed equal dominance in their first loser’s bracket game beating the 92West Cobb X-Plosion of Acworth, Ga., 9-0. The Firecrackers then continued to dominate on the field shutting out Esprit 8-0.
In the winner’s bracket final, the 92East Cobb Bullets continued their winning ways, beating the 92AZ Storm 3-2, in a heated and hard fought game. With the Bullets awaiting their competition in the Championship Game, a rematch had been set between the 92AZ Storm and the Firecrackers. The Firecrackers were unable to exact revenge on the Storm as they fell, 4-0, to claim third place honors in the tournament.
Now with the championship game pitting the 92AZ Storm against the undefeated 92East Cobb Bullets all that needed to happen was for the weather to cooperate. However, that would not be the case as the tournaments luck finally ran out. Teams and Tournament officials had narrowly escaped the threats of heavy thunderstorms all weekend, but the tournament ended the way it began, shortened by rain. After a downpour, the championship game was cancelled due to unplayable conditions and the 92East Cobb Bullets were crowned champions of the 2007 ASA Girl’s 14-Under Hall of Fame National Qualifier.
Eight teams from this event qualified for the ASA/USA National Tournament that will be held in Normal, Ill., July 29-August 5. Those 8 teams moving on are 92AZ Storm; 92 West Cobb X-Plosion; Texas Glory; Texas Rapid Fire of Mesquite, TX; Middle Georgia Thunder; Originals of Independence, Mo.; AZ Suncats of Glendale, Ariz.; and 92Acers.
Tuesday, May 29
Storm Qualifies for HOF . . . . The Hard Way!
On May 26th and May 27th, Storm 92 travelled to Tucson for the region's HOF Qualifier. There were 14 teams pursuing the berth and the format mirrored the HOF format of double elimination, with a three game guarantee.
Saturday morning's first opponent, the Scramblers, came ready to play and went up 2-0 early in the game. Storm battled back for a run later in the game, but could never seem to get the bats going and fell immediately to the loser's bracket. While this loss made the road to the championship alot more difficult, it was likely just the wakeup call the team needed.
Next up were a 3 pm game v. the Vipers and a 6:30 game v. Havoc. Neither the earlier loss nor the heat of the day affected the girls and they won both games 15-0 in run rule victories.
The final game of the evening was against a tough Desert Cobras team. Storm put up 3 runs early and never looked back, tacking on three more late for a 6-1 victory.
The team needed three more wins Sunday morning just to get to the final - the first won came in a 10-0 run rule victory over Velocity in five innings. The next game brought a rematch against the Scramblers. Storm sent a loud message early, scoring four in the first. The team proceeded to score 7 more while the pitching and defense shut down the other team for an 11-0 run rule victory.
The last game before the final was against Impulse. After taking an early 2-0 lead, Impulse battled back to tie it up. Storm added a go ahead run and score remained 3-2 until the final inning when Storm broke it open with 4 more. The final score was 7-4.
With close to 100 degree temps and needing two wins v. the Suncats, it was still an uphill battle. Storm came out strong again in the first game on both sides putting up six runs while giving up just two hits for a 6-0 win.
The IF game was a different story. While the Suncats threatened in the first, Storm's pitching and defense kept them quiet the remainder of the game. Storm came up with three consecutive hits in the third to put up the only run scored in the game.
Overall, Storm had a great weekend going 8-1 and outscoring their opponents 72-7 (only gave up 3 earned runs all weekend)
Hopefully a little of the magic that existed back in 2005 is waiting for us at the Hall of Fame Complex in OK City!
Sunday, February 4
Storm Takes 2nd in 16-Team 18U ASA Tournament!
In their final tournament before high school ball starts, Storm 92 played in the 18U division in the local ASA tournament.
The first pool game was against the eventual tournament champion, Killer Bees 16U, who took 2nd at 16U ASA last year and will make a run at the championship this year as well. Storm gave them everything they wanted going into the final inning tied at zero. With two outs and two strikes on the batter in the bottom of the 7th, the Bees managed to push across a run for the 1-0 win. While the game could've deflated the team, they instead used it as motivation for the rest of the day.
Next up was Sting 18U. After five innings of 1-1 softball, Storm broke it open and batted all the way through the lineup to put up 9 runs. The pitching and defense held for the 10-1 win.
The final pool game of the day was against Xtreme, who put up a solid 1-0 win over AZ Thunder 18U on Saturday night. Storm picked up where they left off in the Sting game with the bats and never looked back, scoring 12 runs and pitching shutout softball.
These games left them with the two seed and a very difficult first game of elimination v. Hotshots 16U - Davis. This game was tight early and went to third inning 1-1. A tough call at home plate was the call to action and the bats responded with six third inning runs. They followed it up with additional runs in the fourth and fifth to put the game away for a 12-2 win over a very tough team.
The quarterfinals on Sunday morning brought an East Valley Pride 14U team that had already played some impressive softball, beating the Hotshots 93 6-2 and Wacker 18U 7-2 the night before. Up 6-0 in third inning, Pride put up 5 quick runs to pull within 1 and make it a nailbiter. Storm responded quickly with 2 runs in the fourth to go up by 3 and the lead held to put the team into the semifinals.
The Americans 18U were up next. After giving up 3 early runs, Storm 92 showed off its heart by fighting back, and doing so quickly, scoring one in the first, and 2 in the second on a home run to tie it up. The Americans then responded with an additional run, forcing Storm to dig deep again - which they did responding with THREE big runs to finish off the game with a final winning score of 6-4 and a championship berth.
While the Killer Bees controlled the championship game throughout, Storm had a great weekend playing older competition and going 5-2 with their only losses being to the tournament champion.
We're looking forward to seeing the new talents everyone develops during school ball! See you in three months!
Sunday, January 28
Storm Wins TCS 18U Division!
On January 27th and 28th, 2007 AZ Storm 92 rewarded Rick Beach by winning the 18U division of the TCS tournament held in Phoenix going 5-1.
Up first on Saturday morning was a strong Pride team that tied Storm 1-1 in their last meeting. The Storm bats put up five runs in the first and added three more to win 8-0 in a solid effort to start out the weekend.
Next up was a Hotshots team that has always given Storm a tough game. Similar to the first game, Storm came out strong early and left with a 7-1 victory that showed that the team came ready to play.
The final game of the day was against Thunderhawks 18U. Down late in the game, the Thunderhawks managed to put across 2 runs for the win 4-3 and Storm entered Sunday with the 2 seed from pool play.
Sunday morning, the team showed no signs of a let down from the game on Saturday and put up 3 runs in the first inning against Sugar and Spikes. They added 3 more in the third and ultimately won 10-2 in a run rule victory.
Next up was a rematch with the Hotshots that was a close one all the way through. Storm put up early runs with one in the first and one in the third. Hotshots threatened a few times but wasn't able to score giving Storm the 2-0 victory and the berth to the championship game.
Sure enough, the championship game was a rematch as well - against the Thunderhawks. This game could not have been closer being 1-1 after 7 innings. Both teams scored once in the first ITB. In the second ITB, Storm managed two runs on a well executed push bunt and then held the Thawks to just one making the final out at home plate from the outfield.
Just one more weekend until the teams takes a break for school ball! Great work Storm!
Sunday, December 3
Storm Wins Second Championship in COP 18U!
Arizona Storm 92 played up two divisions in 18U for the City of Phoenix Winter Windup and after going 5-0-1, came away with their second championship of the year.
The first game against EV Pride was the closest final score of the tournament, finishing in a 1-1 tie. Storm then prevailed over Sugar & Spikes to secure the 1 seed in the pool and a later start Sunday morning.
The entire team had no choice but to contribute on Sunday as they were down to just nine players with one out sick.
After beating Desert Heat, the team went to international tiebreaker with Xtreme, and scored twice in the final inning to escape with a 3-1 win.
After a gamebreak, Storm had back to back games against two strong teams from the Hotshots organization, winning the semifinal against Hotshots-Wes 3-0.
Down 2-0 in the championship against Hotshots-Davis, the team battled back with a run in the fourth inning, a run in the sixth inning to tie it up and the game winning run in the seventh after time expired on 3 hits.
Keep up the good work!!
Sunday, November 19
Storm goes 4-1 in Batbuster Pre Thanksgiving Tournament
Storm 92 travelled to CA for the Batbuster Pre-Thanksgiving college exposure tournament.
With all games scheduled between Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, the team's conditioning would have to come into play to be effective at this level of competition.
First up was Power Surge out of San Diego. Storm jumped on them early scoring one in the first, and added five more in the 3rd inning and additional runs in the fourth and fifth. The story of the game was the no hit shutout put up by the pitching and defense. The final score was 8-0.
After a game break, CA Mirage was the next opponent. The pitching and defense was just as solid putting up a second consecutive shutout. Storm capitalized early on offense putting up a run in the first on a walk, sacrifice and passed ball. The team scored another five runs in the seventh inning, but none counted in the final score under the drop dead format in play for the weekend. Final score was 1-0.
The final game of the evening was against the Rebels from Las Vegas. This was a tight game throughout which included 3 lead changes. Storm put up two runs in the second on two hits. The Rebels responded with four runs in the top of the third inning to take the lead and the momentum. Storm battled back in the same inning with 2 runs to tie it up on a leadoff double and two additional hits including another double. Storm's pitching and defense stepped up then to hold the Rebels while Storm put up additional runs in the fifth and sixth for the 6-4 win.
Sunday morning brought a tough game with Lady Magic out of Sacramento - an organization with a good recent history at ASA nationals. This game was a 0-0 battle until the fourth inning when Lady Magic struck first with a home run. Not to be outdone, Storm responded in the fifth with a two run home run. The final score was 2-1 in a great game that went down to the wire.
Storm headed into their game v. Corona with a 4-0 record knowing this would likely be the toughest game of the weekend. The Angels struck early on a single by the 2 hitter who eventually scored. Storm responded in the second with a run on three consecutive singles out of the 6/7/8 spots. The game was ultimately decided in the fourth on a leadoff triple by the Angels which scored on a base hit just two batters later.
The girls fought hard all weekend and came out with their only loss being 2-1 to Corona. Nice Job Ladies!
Monday, November 13
Storm Takes 3rd out 22 teams in TCS 16s!
On November 11th and 12th, Storm 92 played in the 16s division of the TCS tournament being held in the Phoenix area.
The team went 5-1, finishing 3rd and losing only to the eventual tournament champion, Desert Thunder 16U.
Saturday started out well with five first inning runs off a Cardinals team out of Colorado. Pitching and defense delivered a shutout in a 7-0 win.
Next up were the Albuquerque Stars. With the score 0-0 after five innings, Storm managed to put up a run in the final inning and shut down the Stars for one more inning, who had the tying and winning runs on base when the game ended.
The final game of the day was against a solid Liberty team. Storm put up a few runs early and relied on pitching and defense once again to secure a third consecutive shutout victory 4-0.
Sunday started out with a tough game against the So Cal Rock Steady. Storm, down late in the game and facing elimination, was able to put up the tying run in the final inning, and then had a game winning RBI triple in the international tiebreaker to secure the victory.
The AZ Cats were Storm's quarterfinal opponent and after hitting two home runs in the first inning, it was apparent this would be a tough game. Storm's bats finally came around and put up 6 runs to win the game by 2 for a second consecutive comeback victory.
The semifinal against Desert Thunder was 0-0 going into the final inning. Desert Thunder managed 3 runs in the top of of the inning making a comeback difficult. The girls did not give up however and proceeded to hit a home run followed by a walk putting the tying run at the plate, but it wasn't quite enough.
Anyone can win when playing their best, but the girls found a way to win all weekend long without their A game - which is the sign of a champion!
Sunday, October 8
Storm Wins 18U COP Tournament!
On October 7th and 8th, Storm 92 played in the 18U division of the COP Fall Festival for their first tournament of the year. The format was 2 pool to double elimination and the team went 6-0, outscoring their opponents 43-3 in a weekend that made you wonder if they actually took a summer break.
The team faced a difficult test early on against Extreme prevailing 3-0 on excellent pitching and defense combined with a few timely hits. The second and final pool game was against Desert Heat - the bats came out alive and 10 runs later, the team won its second consecutive shutout 10-0 in a run rule, securing the one seed going into elimination play.
First up in bracket play were the Stingers, who also had no answer for the Storm bats. The lineup, which hit top to bottom all weekend, put up 15 runs in the first two innings. The final score was 15-1.
Sunday morning's game against Sugar & Spikes was a tight one for five innings. With the score still 0-0 in the fifth, the team came up with back to back two-out hits to take a 1-0 lead. After that, Storm broke out a bit and they tacked on 3 more runs for a 4-0 shutout.
The win earned Storm a game break and a rematch with Extreme. Storm scored early and took a 3-0 lead into the final inning. Extreme would not give in easily and scored two in the bottom of the last inning. With the tying run at second for Extreme, Storm made the final out to secure yet another game break and a berth to the championship game.
Pride, after battling all the way through the loser's bracket, entered the championship as its fifth game of the day. Storm came out hot scoring three in the first, two in the second, one in the third and two more in the fifth to secure an 8-0 run rule victory.
The team gave up just one earned run all weekend while the team hit .380 with an on base percentage of .517. EVERY girl had a big hit at some point over the weekend and everyone is looking forward to the upcoming CA trip.
Sunday, October 22
Storm Heads to CA for Batbuster Tournament!
The 92 Arizona Storm ventured into new territory on November 20 - 22nd, attending their first college exposure tournament. As expected, the competition was extremely difficult and was a great weekend to learn from.
In spite of a few tough games on Friday evening and Saturday, the team managed to win both games on Sunday, leaving with a 3-3-1 record for the weekend.
The team managed impressive wins over Roseville Heat from CA (5-1) and San Diego Renegades (3-0).
Storm will be returning to Southern CA in November for the Pre Thanksgiving Tournament.
Wednesday, July 4
Tournament Record
107 Wins
19 Losses
4 Ties
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