Thunder (Venturelli): Welcome
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| 2008 NSA WWS - 4th Place |
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Thunderstruck by AC/DC
Saturday, January 3
The Elk Grove THUNDER is holding try-outs to field a team in the 18-Under Division. All positions will be open for competition, as we are looking to field the strongest team possible. The team focus will be on player exposure to collegiate coaches, and advancement to National tournaments.
So with all the teams out there, why try out for the Thunder?
- Most teams have a great bunch of returning players, and are trying to fill the holes to make their team better. The Thunder is returning a team that was 4th in a 2008 Western World Series and Nor Cal State Champions in the fall, both as a 16-Under team. And while we do have many returning players, all positions are open to competition.
- Most teams talk about playing in showcase and exposure tournaments. But they don’t tell you that you have a small chance of “exposure” just by playing in the tournament. There are other things you need to do to get noticed, and the Thunder will help you get that exposure.
- Our coaches are experienced, our fan base is supportive, and we expect our players to be dedicated.
Why not play for a team which is backed by one of Northern California’s largest softball leagues? Even though we do fund-raising, and seek corporate sponsorship, we are run under the support of the Elk Grove Girls Softball League, a league which provided a home to over 800 players last year.
Our final try-out is scheduled for 11:00 am on Sunday, February 8, and will be held at Laguna Community Park in Elk Grove (on Big Horn, just west of Bruceville). (rescheduled from 1/25 rain-out)
If you would like more information, or to schedule a private try-out, you can E-mail the Head Coach. Thank you for your consideration, we hope to see you at try-outs.
Thursday, December 4
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The Elk Grove Girls Softball League 16-Under tournament team has captured the 2008 NSA Northern California State Championship. The tournament was held in Yuba City and comprised of teams from Red Bluff to San Jose. The Thunder had a combined 6-1 record for the tournament.
The Thunder opened the tournament with Andrea Kelly pitching an 8-0 shutout of the Cupertino Inferno. Offensive support was provided by Chelsea Dunn (triple), Kirsti Smith and Amanda Absher (doubles). Next up was the Reno Heat. Both teams battled scoreless into the 4th inning when the Thunder blew the game open courtesy of a 3-run homerun by Smith. Jessica Venturelli pitched a complete game to record the win. Haley Willmon then got her turn on the mound and shut down the San Jose Legacy for the team's third win. Kennisha Montgomery was the team's leading hitter, blasting an over-the-fence grand-slam homerun.
The Thunder's only blemish was game 4 against the Paradise Bobcats in the semi-final game. Defensinve mistakes were the norm and the Bobcats walked away undefeated with a 12-8 win. All of the 12 runs were unearned. The Thunder pulled it back together in the loser's bracket finale, again facing the Reno Heat. Venturelli shut down Reno 4-1. Amanda McGrew sparked the win with her 2nd inning triple, scoring the go-ahead run and Heather Wilkinson sealed the victory with her 2 hits and outstanding play at catcher. This win put the Thunder into the Championship against the Bobcats, but the Bobcats had to be beat twice for the Thunder to capture the title.
Game #1 was a tight one, with Willmon and Kelly combining for a 3-2 win. McCrew's 2 extra base hits and Krystal Camina's defensive support were the keys to victory. The Thunder built on the momentum from game #1 and dominated game #2, winning 10-2. The game had a scary moment in the 4th inning. Venturelli was leading 4-1 when she was knocked from the game by a line drive off her right ankle. Then in the 5th inning, Wilkinson had to leave the game with a stomach virus, but returned to play with her illness when the team was going to have to forfeit for not having another substitute. The team responded with Kelly coming in to preserve the win, and the offense exploding for 6 runs in the last 2 innings. Raelina Abelia had her biggest hit of the year...a 2 run single to center field to end the game to seal the tournament championship....and the bragging rights to be the Northern California State Champs!
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