KC Peppers 16A Fastpitch: 2011 16A USA/ASA Nationals

The KC Peppers traveled to Chattanooga, Tennessee hoping for an impressive showing out of a field of 172 teams, and the mission was accomplished by winning a very tough pool and finishing tied for 17th in the tournament.  Below is a recap of each game played. The tournament was an outstanding end to a very successful first season as a part of the KC Peppers organization.

Click here for the tournament website with all results. 

Pool Play 

Game 1: KC Peppers vs Island Athletes (Wailuku, HI): Won 2-1 

Notes from the game: 3 hits and a walk in the bottom of the 6th allowed the winning run to break the 1-1 tie.  A great way to start the tourney against an explosive and talented team from the islands. 

Game 2: KC Peppers vs Atlanta Vipers Prance (Atlanta, GA): Won 5-2

Notes from the game: The Vipers struck first with a run in the top of the 5th, but the Peppers returned the favor with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning and 3 more runs in the 6th to put the game away against a perennial tournament participant and high finisher. 

Bracket Play 

Game 3: KC Peppers vs Originals Herrington: Won 8-0, 5 innings 

Notes from the game:  The Peppers struck early with 6 runs in the first 2 innings and opened bracket play with an impressive victory over another Kansas City area participant.

Game 4: KC Xplosion vs Cincy Doom (Cincinnati, OH): Won 10-2 

Notes from the game: The Peppers scored in every inning except the 1st in sending a message to a very good team out of Ohio.    

Game 5:  KC Peppers vs Texas Bombers (San Antonio, TX): Lost 6-1 

Notes from the game: After taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the 4th, defensive miscues and 3 hits led to a 6-run 4th for the Bombers handing the Peppers their first loss of the tournament.  

Game 6: KC Peppers vs California Breeze (Sacramento, CA): Won 5-4 

Notes from the game: In possibly one of the most exciting games of the season, the Peppers rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the bottom of the 7th to score 3 runs in the final inning to send the Breeze back to California.  The win also allowed the ladies to make it to Saturday play.  

Game 7: KC Peppers vs Chattanooga Cyclones (Chattanooga, TN): Won 8-0 

Notes from the game: The Peppers did not treat their hosts kindly and jumped out to an early 6-0 lead in the 2nd inning in cruising to an early morning victory.

Game 8: KC Peppers vs Island Athletes: Lost 4-2 

Notes from the game: After 3 and a half scoreless innings, the Peppers struck first with a single run in the 4th.  The Athletes waited until the top of the 6th to push across 3 runs and take a 3-1 lead in the rematch.  A rally in the bottom half of the sixth gave the Peppers another run and cut the lead to 3-2, but the Athletes were able to return the favor with a run in the top of the 7th for the final margin of 4-2.