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Saturday, March 29
Home of Finesse Fastpitch Softball 2008
Finesse Softball is now over 21 years young... and continues as one of the premier girls softball programs in Michigan and the Midwest. The Finesse 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U squads will compete in top tournaments, against the region's best teams. While Finesse has won several National, Regional and State Championships over the years, it is more noteworthy that the program has helped develop hundreds of young ladies into well-rounded individuals, as well as top-flight ball players. Finesse players are annually, the recipients of many college scholarship offers. Our Alumni Page lists many of the athletes, who have recently competed at the next level... Visit our website over the course of the season for updates on our teams and to find out where our teams are playing, so you can come out and watch fastpitch at its best! Our Organization includes the full compliment of age levels, 10U, 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U 'Gold'.
Click here to view your Finesse Teams Age Group Website.
Click here to view our Finesse 12U Banner Sponsors website.
Click here to view our new Sponsor Velocity Sports Performance website.
Get your $ 5.00 Finesse Car Window Cling before they are all gone!
Contact Judy or Tim Rounsifer at (248) 305-7126 or email at rounsiferhamilton@msn.com
College Signees for 2008
On behalf of Finesse Softball we want to extend our Congratulations to the following Finesse 18 & U Players, who have signed with colleges to attend their respective schools and to play softball in the Fall of 2008.
Congratulations girls for your dedication and hard work that you applied both to; Academics and Softball.
Finesse Softball
In Alphabetic Order;
Name High School - College
Amanda Chidester - St. Francis Cabrini - Univ. of Michigan
Brogan Darwin - Chelsea - Central Michigan Univ.
Lauren Histed - Utica - Univ. of Ohio
Nicole Morrow - SCS Lakeshore - Univ. of Findlay (Ohio)
Katie Osburn - St. Francis Cabrini - Univ. of Miami Ohio
Kristina Susalla - Garden City - Wayne State University
2009 Oral Commitment
Name High School - College
Jackie Bowe - Galesburg Augusta - Notre Dame
I Feel Good!
Tuesday, January 8
2008 Finesse 16's Win Winter Warm-Up At Genesee Dome...
Genesee Dome Winter Tournament (Christmas Dec.21-22)
Getting to know each other, the team came together and produced a tournament win. Outstanding performances by; Jen Topor, Dani Haley, Katy B., Makelle, Morgan, Jen, Hallie, Maria, Alia, Jade, Laura, Shelby, Calee.
Friday, September 21
16's Finish 2007 With Strong Showings In 2 National Tournaments
The 16U Finesse finished the season placing 10th at the Sparks Tournament in Illinois; traveled directly to Kansas and took 9th at the USSSA World's, then took off for Sioux Falls. South Dakota, to the ASA World's and placed in the top 1/3'd of the 140 team tournament. A highlight in bracket play was a fine win against the USSSA National Champions, Olathe Streamline of KC, Kansas- 7-6 in ITB. The season also included the striving and just missing out on winning all 3 State Tournaments of the 3 associations. 1st in NSA, 2nd in ASA, 3rd in USSSA - securing bids to all 3 and our choice of any World Series. The team consisted of many great players from our state- Kaleigh Gritzinger, Megan Hudson, Katy Blaharski, Rachel Copple, Kendra Zache, Nicki Morrow, Kristina Susalla, Andrea Dieterle, Lauren Histed, Brogan Darwin...
The 2008 Tournaments are determined and will include the Compuware, the State Tournaments of up to 3 associations, an 18U run at the Stingray 'Exposure Tournament' in Ohio, the Michigan Exposure Tournament, the Sparks Tournament in Illinois, the USSSA Worlds (or AFA/ISA/Triple Crown WS) and the ASA World Series. It will aslo include as many as 5 or more 'Exposure Tournaments' played in the fall/winter time frame: the travel will be to Florida and Ohio / Indiana / Illinois. STARTING NOW! Sept.- Pride Tournamenet- Canton, Oct.- 'Gold' Round Robin- Ft. Wayne, Oct.- Rising Star Tournament- Ft. Lauderdale...all coming up, but starting now!
Co-HC Tony Perrino
Monday, August 6
Finesse 14U Makes Strong Showing at ASA Nationals
The 14U team finished their season with a successful showing at the ASA National tournament in Normal, IL. The 14U team split their two pool games, defeating the Albuquerque Scorpions 1-0 before losing to SoCal Wicked from Whittier, CA by a 10-4 score. Gina Sykes singled and then scored the winning run in the Scorpions game in the 5th inning. Kristy Arbour and Kayla Kostich had two hits each, while Jordan Wheatley pitched a four-hit shutout to earn the victory. SoCal Wicked built a 6-1 lead before Finesse rallied with three runs in the 5th inning to tighten the second pool game. The Wicked regained control with a two-run homer in the sixth and then held on for the victory. Kristy Arbour led the offense with 3 hits, while Morgan Gregorich had two RBI’s in the fifth inning rally.
Finesse began bracket play with a convincing 8-2 victory over Texas Showdown from Tomball, TX, scoring three runs in the 2nd inning and two more in the 3rd to take early control. Nikki Gunning, Tonya Calkins, and Jordan Wheatley each had two hits. Wheatley and Kayla Kostich each had two RBI’s. Wheatley and Catie Kaliszuk combined for the pitching victory. The team continued their winning ways by defeating the Blaze from Beaverton, OR 3-2. This was just the fifth loss of the entire season for the Blaze. Finesse built a 2-0 lead, but the Blaze tied the game with 2 runs in the top of the fifth. But Kayla Kostich supplied the game winning double scoring Tonya Calkins who had singled in the bottom of the fifth. Jordan Wheatley pitched a four-hitter with 8 strikeouts. Gina Sykes had 3 hits for the offense.
The third game of the winner’s bracket was against the SoCal Batbusters. Finesse took a 3-1 lead into the 7th inning and got two outs before the Batbusters rallied for 3 runs to take a 4-3 lead and the victory. Jennifer Lucas led the offense with a single and triple, while Jordan Wheatley suffered the pitching defeat. The Batbusters went on to take a third place finish in the tournament.
The team played their next game in the loser’s bracket on Saturday morning against American Pastime from Rancho Cucamonga, CA. The Pastime scored three runs in the first inning and were not to be denied taking a 4-0 victory to eliminate Finesse from the tournament. This was the second year in a row that the Pastime knocked Finesse out of the ASA Nationals. The team’s performance earned them a finish in the top fourth of the 129 teams entered in the tournament for the second consecutive year. The 14U’s finished with a 36-10 record and 4 tournament championships. Congratulations to the entire team for a great season. Team members this season included Kristy Arbour, Tonya Calkins, Katie Dunn, Adrienne Gebele, Morgan Gregorich, Nikki Gunning, Catie Kaliszuk, Kayla Kostich, Jennifer Lucas, Kaitlyn O’Shea, Gina Sykes, and Jordan Wheatley.
Monday, July 23
Finesse 14U Captures Fastpitch Classic Championship
The 14U team won their third consecutive tournament championship, and fourth overall, by taking the Fastpitch Classic in Toledo, OH this past weekend. For the second time this season, the team played up in the 16U division and won against a field of 36 teams. They won 8 consecutive games (5 pool and 3 tournament games) and allowed just 5 runs the entire tournament.
In pool play on Friday, the 14Us defeated the Ohio Peppers 6-0, Wizards-Slack 10-0, and Rocky River Breakers 6-0. The first pool game on Saturday was against a tough opponent from Canada, the Kitchener Klassics. The Klassics defeated the 14Us for the championship of this tournament last year. This time Finesse prevailed by a score of 3-2. The Klassics took a 1-0 lead in the second. Finesse tied the score in the fourth when Tonya Calkins singled, and Jennifer Lucas laid down a great sacrifice bunt. The throw to first was wild and on the ensuing play Calkins came all the way around to score. After the Klassics took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth, Finesse scored two runs to win the game when time expired. Jordan Wheatley doubled and then Gina Sykes singled to score Catie Kaliszuk who was a courtesy runner for Wheatley. Later in the inning Nikki Gunning singled to drive in Kristy Arbour who had reached on a fielders choice to score the winning run. Finesse closed out pool play with a 7-0 victory over Downriver Diamonds to secure first place in their pool.
Bracket play began Sunday with the top 12 teams advancing to single elimination tournament play. Finesse received a first round bye for winning their pool. In the quarterfinal game, the team defeated Willowick Wizards 2-0. Tonya Calkins accounted for both runs with a two-run home run in the fourth inning. Catie Kaliszuk pitched 5 shutout innings to get the pitching victory before giving way to Jordan Wheatley in the sixth. Wheatley earned the save. During the tournament, Kaliszuk recorded four victories without allowing a run.
In the semifinals, Finesse defeated the Michigan Panthers 4-2. A three run rally in the fourth inning broke a 1-1 tie. Morgan Gregorich and Nikki Gunning had two hits apiece for the offense and Jordan Wheatley had two RBIs. Wheatley took the pitching victory recording 8 strikeouts.
Finesse won the championship with a 4-1 victory over Wizards-Godwin. The team used another three run rally in the 6th inning to break open what had been a close 1-0 game to that point. Nikki Gunning delivered the key two-run single in the inning, and Tonya Calkins followed with another RBI single. Calkins had three hits and two RBIs to lead the offense. Jordan Wheatley pitched a 4 hitter with 9 strikeouts to get the pitching victory.
Congratulations to the entire team for closing out the regular tournament season on a roll. Players on the team this season are Kristy Arbour, Tonya Calkins, Katie Dunn, Adrienne Gebele, Morgan Gregorich, Nikki Gunning, Catie Kaliszuk, Kayla Kostich, Jennifer Lucas, Kaitlyn OShea, Gina Sykes, and Jordan Wheatley. The team will finish their season by playing in the 14U ASA National tournament in Normal, IL July 30-August 5.
Monday, July 16
Finesse 14U Captures Ohio Stingrays Tournament Championship
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| 2007 Ohio Stingrays Champions
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Finesse 14U won their second consecutive tournament championship, and third of the season, at the Ohio Stingrays tournament in Columbus, OH this past weekend against stiff competition. The team began pool play Friday defeating Miami Valley Express 7-1. All seven runs were scored in the fifth inning. In the final pool game, Finesse lost a close game against the Indy Dreams 2-1 to take the second seed in their pool. The 14Us defeated the Dreams the previous weekend by the same score.
Tournament play began on Saturday morning with a big 8-2 victory against the Ohio Stingrays. The Stingrays scored two in the top of the first but Finesse answered back with four of their own and never looked back. Jennifer Lucas had 3 hits and 2 RBIs to lead the offense. Kristy Arbour, Tonya Calkins, Kayla Kostich, and Nikki Gunning had 2 hits apiece. Catie Kaliszuk pitched a two-hitter for the pitching victory. The team won their second game of the day against Ohio Ice 2-1 in a tight pitchers duel. Jennifer Lucas singled and then scored the tying run when Kayla Kostichs sacrifice bunt was thrown away. Adrienne Gebele then delivered an RBI single for the eventual winning run. Jordan Wheatley pitched a two-hitter to earn the pitching victory. In the final game on Saturday, Finesse moved to the winners bracket final with a convincing 7-2 win over Pittsburgh Power. Finesse scored 2 in the first and 3 in the second to quickly take control of the game. Jennifer Lucas and Kayla Kostich had 3 RBIs apiece to lead the offense. Kristy Arbour, Tonya Calkins, Morgan Gregorich, and Adrienne Gebele had two hits apiece. Jordan Wheatley picked up the win pitching.
This set up an exciting Sunday duel which ended up being a three game series with Cincinnati Doom 92. In the winners bracket final the game was tied 2-2 and went to an International tie-breaker. Finesse exploded for four runs in the top of the 8th and held on for a 6-3 victory. The game winning two run single was delivered by Morgan Gregorich. Adrienne Gebele also had 2 RBIs for the offense. Kristy Arbour, Tonya Calkins, Gregorich, and Gebele all had two hits apiece to support the pitching of Jordan Wheately who picked up the win.
The Doom defeated Indy Dreams 6-5 to earn their way back to the finals. The game was tied 1-1 and again went to the International tie-breaker. Each team scored 1 run in the eighth and Finesse got 1 in the top of the 9th only to have the Doom respond with 2 to win the game and force the if necessary game. Kristy Arbour and Tonya Calkins had three hits each for Finesse in the losing effort.
In the final game, the Doom pulled out to an early 4-1 lead. But Finesse fought back to tie the score with three runs in the fifth. They then took the lead with two in the 6th only to have the Doom tie the score with two of their own in the bottom half. The 14Us responded with two in the top of the 7th and held on for the championship by limiting the Doom to one run in the bottom of the inning, getting a strikeout from Jordan Wheatley with the tying run at third base. Wheatley got the win in relief of Catie Kaliszuk who pitched well into the fourth inning. Jennifer Lucas had a single, double, and triple to lead the offense and made two spectacular catches in left field on defense. Jordan Wheatley and Adrienne Gebele had two hits apiece.
Congratulations to the entire team for a great victory over a high quality opponent. The team will play in the 16U division of the Fastpitch Classic in Toledo, OH this weekend in their final tune-up before heading to the ASA Nationals.
Monday, July 9
Finesse 16U Continue Fine Play - Take 3rd In USSSA State Tournament
Fine play by the 16's continued and they captured a top 3 place, a bid to the World's and first, second and third in all 3 State Chanpionships...If the tournament is set up with a 2 game knockout (like all the other States), things may have been different. Great Job to all of the team members, as everyone contributed to the run, (TEAM)Katy Blaharski, Kaleigh Gritzinger, Brogan Darwin, Erin Rodes, Miranda Rysdorp, Sondra Plante, Rachel Copple, Andrea Dieterle, Kristina Susalla, Megan Hudson, Kendra Zache, Nicki Morrow, Lauren Histed /Head Coaches Randy Hudson and Tony Perrino, Asst. Coach Terry Cole/ - Especially pitchers, Hilary Payne and Sam Cole!!!
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2007 16U - NSA 1st, ASA 2nd, USSSA 3rd
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Monday, July 9
Finesse 14U Captures Great Lakes Invitational Championship
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| 2007 Great Lakes Champions
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The 14U team captured their second tournament championship of the year at the Great Lakes Invitational in Toledo, OH. This tournament was a 16U tournament with 32 teams participating so this represents a great achievement by the team. Finesse finished third in their eight team pool by posting a 3-1 record on Saturday. The team defeated Ohio Impact 6-0, Wizards-Slack 9-8, and Wizards-Jones 8-0, while losing to Sunraze Black by a 3-1 score. In the Wizards-Slack game the team overcame an 8-0 deficit to get the comeback win. This qualified the team to play in the Gold division of the tournament on Sunday with the top 16 teams. The format was single elimination, so it would take four consecutive wins to get the championship.
Finesse won their first round tournament game by a 7-0 score over KC Diamond Lady Elite from West Virginia. The game was scoreless until the fourth inning until the team scored 4 in the fourth and 3 more in the fifth inning. Kristy Arbour had two hits, and Morgan Gregorich and Jordan Wheatley had 2 RBIs apiece to lead the offense. Jordan Wheatley pitched a two-hit shutout to earn the pitching victory.
In the quarterfinals, the 14Us beat another excellent 14U team, the Indy Dreams, by a 2-1 score. Finesse and Indy Dreams will face each other again in pool play next weekend in Columbus. The Dreams scored their only run in the first inning. Finesse took a 2-1 lead in the fourth on a two-run single by Morgan Gregorich. The Dreams challenged by loading the bases with two outs in the 7th inning, but Jordan Wheatley struck out the final batter on a 3-2 count to secure the victory. Kristy Arbour delivered two more hits. Arbour and Kayla Kostich scored the only two runs of the game.
In the semi-finals, Finesse had a rematch with Sunraze Black who they had lost to in pool play. The Sunraze had a 1-0 lead until the sixth inning when Kristy Arbour singled and Tonya Calkins doubled to drive in the tying run. The game headed into the International tiebreaker. Finesse held the Sunraze scoreless with a double play including throwing out the lead run at the plate. In the bottom half of the inning, Adrienne Gebele laid down a perfect bunt for a base hit putting runners on first and third.. Katie Dunn followed up with a game winning single to center field. Catie Kaliszuk pitched 7 great innings to get the game to extra innings. Jordan Wheatley replaced her in the eighth and got credit for the pitching victory.
The final game was a classic pitchers duel with the Indiana Blaze, with the two teams combining for only 5 hits. The game remained scoreless through 7 regulation innings and went to the International tie-breaker. Finesse stopped the Blaze from scoring on a double play. Kayla Kostich caught a fly ball in right field and made a strong throw home. The runner tried to head back to third, but was cut down on a great throw and tag between Adrienne Gebele and Nikki Gunning. The team won the game and the championship in the bottom of the 8th. Gina Sykes laid down a perfect bunt, and when the throw to first was not handled, Catie Kaliszuk scored the winning run from second base. Jordan Wheatley pitched 8 innings of two-hit shutout ball to get the pitching victory.
Congratulations to the team for a great tournament win. The team now heads to Columbus, OH to play in the Ohio Stingrays tournament along with their sister teams the 12U and 16U (playing in the 18U division). Good luck to all the Finesse teams this weekend.
Monday, July 2
16's Gain 'ASA' STATES - 2ND PLACE (Earn National Bid)
The Finesse 16's got their money's worth by playing 11 games in 3 days. By having to come out of the loser's bracket, it made it a back-to-back situation. Stellar pitching and great hitting led the squad and got them to the finals, on Sunday in back-to-back State Championship Tournaments. It's now off to the USSSA State Tournament...
Wednesday, July 4
Finesse 14U Finishes 3rd at ASA State, Earns National Bid
The 14U team finished third at the ASA State tournament in Mt. Pleasant earning a bid to the ASA National tournament in Normal, IL. The team won their pool on Friday with wins over ER Lady Hounds 15-0 and Grand Rapids Blaze 8-1. Tonya Calkins led the offense with 3 hits and 5 RBIs against the Lady Hounds. Catie Kaliszuk earned the pitching victory. Morgan Gregorich had 2 RBIs, and Gina Sykes and Tonya Calkins 2 hits apiece against the Blaze. Jordan Wheatley picked up the pitching win.
Tournament play began Saturday with a 16-0 win over Classics Softball. This game was finished in three innings. Nikki Gunning, Kristy Arbour, and Morgan Gregorich had 2 hits apiece, and Gregorich had 3 RBIs. Catie Kaliszuk got the win. This set a match-up with Michigan Athletics, also undefeated in the tournament to that point. Finesse carried a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning, but the As responded with a 4 run rally to secure a 4-1 victory. Kristy Arbour had 2 hits on offense and Jennifer Lucas drove in the only run for Finesse. Jordan Wheatley took the pitching loss.
The team worked their way through the losers bracket on Sunday with two early morning victories. The first was a 14-3 win over Kalamazoo Klash and the second a 7-2 victory over the Oakland Sidewinders. Against the Klash, Kristy Arbour had 3 hits. Morgan Gregorich had 3 more RBIs, with Jennifer Lucas and Nikki Gunning getting 2 RBIs apiece. Catie Kaliszuk took the pitching victory. In the Sidewinders game, Jennifer Lucas led the offense with 2 hits and three RBIs. Gina Sykes also had 2 hits. Jordan Wheatley pitched a complete game for the win.
The next game was the losers bracket final against Compuware. Compuware used a three-run HR in the third inning to move out to a 4-0 lead. Finesse fought back to make the score 4-2 and had the bases loaded with one out in the sixth when a strange double play ended the inning with no additional scoring. The score remained the same until the end of the game, with Finesse being eliminated from the tournament. Kristy Arbour delivered 4 of the 9 hits for Finesse in the game to lead the offense. Catie Kaliszuk suffered the pitching defeat.
Congratulations to the team for earning a bid to the ASA National tournament. The next tournament for the team is the Great Lakes Invitational in Toledo, OH. The team will be playing in the 16U division in this tournament.
Tuesday, June 26
Finesse 16's Win NSA States
They Outmanned and Outgunned the Vipers. Heavily loaded and with a diverse full squad of players, the 16's 'mercied' the Vipers in the championship game, 11-0.
It's now off to the 'ASA' State Tournament.
Tuesday, June 26
Finesse 14U Captures NSA State Championship
The 14U team won four straight games to win the NSA State championship played June 22-24 in Eaton Rapids. The tournament began with a 17-0 victory over Ann Arbor Gold. Finesse held a 1-0 lead after four innings but exploded for 4 runs in the 5th and 12 more in the 6th inning to secure the victory. Kristy Arbour led the offense with 3 hits and 4 RBIs. Tonya Calkins and Morgan Gregorich also delivered 3 hits apiece. Jennifer Lucas, Jordan Wheatley, Catie Kaliszuk, and Calkins all had 2 RBIs apiece. Catie Kaliszuk pitched a three-hit shutout for the pitching victory.
In the second game, Finesse used a consistent offense and great pitching and defense to defeat PC Pride Stars 4-1. The team scored single runs in the second, third, fourth, and sixth innings. Jennifer Lucas and Kaitlyn OShea each delivered two hits to lead the offense. Jordan Wheatley carried a no-hitter into the 7th inning before giving up the only hit of the game for the Pride in earning the pitching victory.
Finesse reached the championship game by earning a 7-4 win over the Adrian Lookouts. After jumping out to a 5-0 lead, the team had to withstand a 4 run rally by the Lookouts in the 4th inning, before scoring two more runs to restore order and get the victory. Tonya Calkins led the offense with 2 hits and 3 RBIs. Kaitlyn OShea also had 2 RBIs. Catie Kaliszuk got the pitching victory with Jordan Wheatley earning a save.
The championship was won with a convincing 14-0 win over Compuware. The team took control with a six run first inning and maintained control throughout the game pounding out 14 hits and taking advantage of 8 walks. Gina Sykes and Tonya Calkins each had 3 hits for the offense, with Morgan Gregorich and Adrienne Gebele getting 2 hits apiece. Nikki Gunning, Jordan Wheatley, Gebele, and Calkins each had 2 RBIs. Jordan Wheatley pitched a two-hit shutout for the pitching victory.
Congratulations to the entire team for a great effort. The team now moves on to the ASA State championship in Mt. Pleasant.
Tuesday, June 5
10u Wins USSSA 5th Annual Liberty Park Bash
The Finesse 10u team opened its inaugural season with a tournament title win in the 5th Annual USSSA Liberty Park Bash, posting a 5-1 record. The tournament on June 2-3, 2007 featured eight teams from Michigan and Ontario.
The team started off against the Oakland Dragons. The Dragons jumped to a 5-1 lead after two innings. This single Finesse run came on a lead off home run from shortstop and leadff batter Kelsea Kaliszuk. After allowing five runs in the first two innings pitcher Emily Sarnecky (1-0) shut the Dragons down, not allowing another run in the final three innings. Led by 2 for 2 hitting with a walk from catcher Alyson Edgemon and three runs scored by third baseman Hannah Rukkila Finesse scored 14 unanswered runs for a 15-5 victory.
The second game came against a long time Finesse opponent in the Michigan Bulldogs. Finesse lost the game 10-2 even though starting pitcher Makenna Payne (0-1) had eleven strikeouts in the five inning game.
The final game on Saturday pitted Finesse against Motor City Maddness Blue from Novi. Winning pitcher Courtney Phelps (1-0) sacttered four runs in the 10-4 win. Help came from second baseman Brooke Linebaugh (1 SV) who came in as a relief pitcher to get the save. Offensively left fielder Shannon Rounsifer broke through with her first run scored in the new season, and Samantha Rukkila was 2 for 2 with 2 RBI.
Sunday was championship day and Finesse came out strong against the Lady Hawks from Ontario. Behind the 2 for 3 hitting of Alex Sobczak and no hitter from pitcher Makenna Payne (1-1) the team won 9-1.
In the closest game of the weekend, shortstop Kelesea Kaliszuk drove in Kourtney Potter with the winning run in the bottom of the fifth to give Makenna Payne her second win of the day, even though she only pitched to one batter in relief of Emily Sarnecky. Defensively Nicole Wojcik kept Finesse in the game by making two assists from right field to first in the 6-5 win
In the final game of the day, Makenna Payne (3-1) was back on the mound while Emily Sarnecky (1-0, 1 SV)recorded her first save in an 11-7 win. The offense was led by Tatyanna Dadabbo who went 3 for 3 with 2 HR's, a triple and 6 RBI. Kennedy Crawford also figured heavilly in the scoring with three runs and two stolen bases.
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