Mother nature tried to put a dampener on our second tournament of the year, however the field crew in Flowood won the battle. In a 9 team double elimination tournament that was played all on Sunday, VGC won 4 back to back ball games to advance to the Championship game.
Velocity started the day against the Lady Thrashers with a 4-2 victory. Madison Burge collected the win, striking out 4 Thrasher hitters in four innings of work, with only 3 hits. Liz Zorich paced VGC going 2-2 at the plate, with doubles hit by Powell, McCray, and Bishop.
In the 2nd game of the day saw the girls taking on the Southern Belles. What a great game as VGC would get on the board first as Powell would single, a well executed bunt from Barnes, and a sacrifice fly from Hogue. Velocity would manufacturer another run in the 3rd when Chandler drew a lead off walk and Burge, and Barnes would push her around to score. Emma Rae Castanedo picked up the victory pitching 5 innings, yielding 3 hits, 6 strikeouts, and no base on balls. VGC wins 2-1.
The third game was against the Madison Motion 96' team. VGC bats were hot the 1st inning as the girls pounded out 9 hits to score 8 runs. Powell led the hitting attack going 3-4, and multiple hits from Barnes, Bishop, Zorich (2 Triples), Castanedo (2 doubles), and Chandler. Castanedo and Burge would combine on the win with Burge pitching 3 of the four innings. VGC would win 11-3.
The last of the winners bracket games, and fourth game in a row was against the Madison Motion 97'. VGC would jump out early with 5 runs after the 2nd. Motion then stormed back with 3 runs in the 3rd and another two in the 4th to tie the game in the top of the inning. In the bottom of the 4th VGC would collect singles from Bishop and Zorich before McCray delivered the game winning triple over the centerfielders head to one hop the bottom of the fence. McCray and Zorich paced VGC with 2 hits a piece with Mckinney, Walker, Hogue, and Barnes also collecting hits. On the mound Bishop pitched the first 3 innings with Burge pitching the fourth. VGC wins 7-5.
The championship game would start at 8:30 pm Sunday night against the Southern Belles. After having three hours off the girls came out hot. Powell would lead off the game with a single followed by walks issued to Barnes and Zorich. McCray then delivered a triple to clear the bases. Then a ground ball fielders choice would push the fourth run of the inning across the plate. In the 2nd the girls didn't let up with a single from Hogue, Mckinney, Barnes, and a Hit by pitch to McCray, Castanedo would clear the bases with a double to left center as Velocity would tack on 5 runs in the 2nd inning. On the mound Castanedo pitched 4 innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits, 1 BB, 5 K's. Burge would pitch the 5th inning facing the 1st thru 3rd batters in the line up. She would strike all three batters out to close out the game for VGC. VGC wins 9-1. VGC ended the weekend with 5 wins against no losses.
Congratulations to Brittney McCray as she received the tournament 1st place Team Trophy, and Emma Rae Castanedo was voted and received the NSA March Madness Most Valuable Player trophy.
Glad to have Erica come out and watch the championship game while she finishes up the high school softball season, and we missed you Samantha. Hope you do well at the Beta Convention this week.
Thank you to all our sponsors and families that support us. See you in Daphne, AL next weekend.
