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FIREBIRDS 12U: Welcome

Tuesday, October 6

The 12U Fairfax Firebirds ’97 placed 2^nd in the Oktoberfest – Fall Softball Tournament held in Manassas, VA on October 3^rd and 4th.  It was their 2^nd tournament of the 2009 fall season following their Championship finish in the NSA Loudoun Open Softball Tournament two weeks earlier.  Following Saturday’s pool play, the Firebirds were seeded 3^rd.  Sunday morning they came out of the blocks with a dominating 14-0 one hitter against the McLean Magic and then faced the 2^nd seed - their friendly rivals Xplosion ’98 in the semi-finals.  In a great back and forth game the Firebirds won 4 to 3 holding off an Xplosion rally in the last inning with some outstanding defense against a very potent offense in order to move into the final game.  In the Championship game the Firebirds faced the tough number 1 seed 13U Chantilly Lace ’96 team in a very close pitching duel but in the end lost 5 to 1 to settle as the runner up in the tournament.  The five Firebird pitchers Catherine Plescow, Cara Yates, Riley Wilkerson, Madison Aker and Julie DeSalvo were all outstanding in the circle for the entire tournament.  The Firebird offensive leaders included Jenna Edwards, Jenna Spille and Katherine Plescow who had two homeruns in the tournament.  After two fall tournaments the 12U Firebirds have received “hardware” in both – with a First Place finish and a Second Place finish so far this fall season.  They are pictured here with their 2^nd place/runner up medals and team trophy.  Next up for the 12U Firebirds is the BRYC Classic to be held in Annandale, VA next week.

Tuesday, September 15

On September 13, 2009, the 12U NVGSA Firebirds began their fall 2009 campaign by winning the NSA Loudoun Fall Open Softball Tournament held in Sterling, VA.  It was their first tournament of the fall season.  By winning the tournament the 12U Firebirds again received an automatic berth to the NSA World Series National Tournament for the second year in a row – last year as a 10U team and now this year as a 12U team!  Following a highly successful run in the 10U division over the past two years, the Firebirds aged up to the 12U division this year but appear to not have lost a step.  This year they had only one team goal – to return to the NSA National Tournament this coming year after the great run at the NSA Nationals they had last year.  Well, they did not have to wait long to achieve their goal as upon the completion of the two day event they were crowned Champions of the Loudoun Fall Open Softball Tournament.  And Champions they are as they won both the semi final game and the championship game by run/slaughter rule!  Just like the three tournaments they won last year (in NSA and USSSA) as a 10U team this was a total team effort with every member on the roster contributing to the wins.  Their hitting was just remarkable, especially the long ball.  Their pitching was sharper than ever and their defense and base running was nothing short of outstanding.  They played every game at full throttle but showed great sportsmanship throughout the tournament.  Again, it was indeed a total team effort as everyone contributed one way or the other with their own special skills and talents in winning their newest and latest Championship and their first at the 12U level.   Below are the 2009/2010 12U Firebird players and coaches after being presented with their Championship Trophy and their individual medals.   The Firebirds have 4 fall tournaments left to play to include defending their Championship at the Powhatan Fall Classic on 11/07/09 and 11/08/09 in Richmond, VA.

NVGSA 12U Firebirds Championship Photo - 2009 NSA Loudoun Fall Open in Sterling, VA.

Thursday, July 16

The NVGSA Fairfax Firebirds '97 (12U) competed in their first ever National Tournament (the 2009 NSA World Series) which was held in Roanoke and Salem Virginia from July 11 to July 15.  After winning several tournaments last year while still a 10U team, thereby qualifying them for this year's USSSA World Series and NSA World Series and then aging up to the 12U division at the start of this season, the Fairfax Firebirds '97 accepted NSA's invitation to play in the NSA World Series for their first ever National Tournament. The tournament included a total of 83 teams from Indiana to Delaware to Florida in the 10U, 12U, 14U and 16U divisions. During the week, the Fairfax Firebirds '97 participated in all of the tournament's sponsored events to include: opening ceremonies and team introductions held at Salem Memorial Park (home of the Salem Red Sox minor league baseball team), an NSA sponsored fair/carnival night held just outside the stadium, the ever popular team pin trading night, the tournament barbeque at Green Hill Park, team karaoke and numerous other events. Oh yeah... and they played some softball and some very good softball.  After winning games in both pool play and double elimination play, the Fairfax Firebirds '97 were still alive on the last day of the tournament.  In the end, they made it to the round of 8 before being eliminated from play when they found themselves unexpectedly and severely undermanned.  It should be noted that the Fairfax Firebirds '97 were one of only two '97 teams to make it that far in the tournament as the other remaining teams were all '96 teams.  What an experience and what an accomplishment!!!

As the summer season winds down the Firebirds will turn their attention to the fall season beginning with tryouts to be held on Saturday, August 8th, Wednesday, August 12th and Saturday, August 15th.  Anyone interested in the Fairfax Firebirds '97 12U team should contact Head Coach Randy Yates at yatesmmf@aol.com or (703)963-2450.

NVGSA Fairfax Firebirds '97 (12U) Team Photo - 2009 NSA World Series National Tournament in Roanoke, VA.

Fairfax Firebirds '97 at the opening ceremonies and team introductions at Salem Memorial Stadium for the 2009 NSA World Series in Roanoke, VA.	Fairfax Firebirds '97 at the NSA Barbeque, 2009 NSA World Series National Tournament in Roanoke, VA.

Members of the Fairfax Firebird '97 at team pin trading night at the 2009 NSA World Series in Roanoke, VA.	Fairfax Firebirds '97 singing Karaoke at the NSA barbeque at the 2009 NSA World Series in Roanoke, VA. demonstrating they can play softball a lot better than they can sing.

Thursday, November 13

The 10U Firebirds completed their 2008 season after being crowned CHAMPIONS of the NSA Powhatan Fall Classic Softball tournament last weekend in Richmond, VA.  This was their 3rd Tournament Championship of the fall after previously winning the 2008 USSSA Potomac River Clash Softball Tournament in Sterling, Virginia and the 2008 NSA Prince William Fall Challenge Softball Tournament in Warrenton, Virginia.  Along with the Championship in Powhatan comes their second automatic berth to the NSA World Series for the 10U Firebirds.  On Saturday, during bracket play, the Firebirds beat the Hugenot Hustle by a score of 19 to 0 but then lost their second game of the day to last year’s defending Champions, The Virginia Beach Triple Threat Lady Tigers, by a score of 5 to 1.  In the 3rd and last game of the day the Firebirds beat the Richmond Diamonds by a score of 15 to 3.  The girls spent the rest of the evening in the team hotel pool and eating pizza before turning in for the night.  They returned on Sunday as the second seed in the GOLD Bracket.  In the first game on Sunday, they beat the Louisa Thunder 4 to 3 via International Tie Breaker (ITB) when the score was tied 3 to 3 after time expired.  In the second game on Sunday they beat the RBI Inferno by a score of 6 to 2.  This win put the Firebirds in the Championship Game of the GOLD Bracket against their nemesis - the Virginia Beach Triple Threat Lady Tigers who, as stated above, beat them the day before in bracket play, as well as, in last year’s Powhatan tournament.  Well, what a Championship Game it was!  With the score tied 3 to 3 late in the game, Erin Ginch laced a double down the left field line to score two runs giving the Firebirds a 5 to 3 lead and then pitcher Katherine Plescow held the Lady Tigers in check the rest of the way shutting them down for a complete game victory in what might be the best game of her life with help from shortstop Madison Aker’s great defense – leading to the Firebirds being crowned CHAMPIONS of the Powhatan Fall Softball Challenge.  (See the pictures below).  This Championship was clearly the crowning achievement for the 2008 the NVGSA 10U Firebirds whose other 2008 achievements include winning the 2008 USSSA Potomac River Clash Softball Tournament, the 2008 NSA Prince William Fall Challenge Softball Tournament, a second place finish in the Fauquier Freeze Summer Ice Down Softball Tournament in Warrenton, Virginia, a third pace finish in the NSA Cash Bash Softball Tournament in Richmond, Virginia an automatic berth to the USSSA World Series and two automatic berths to the NSA World Series.  The 10U Firebirds were also ranked as high as 2nd in the State of Virginia by USSSA and 7th in the state by NSA during the year.  Lastly, the 2008 10U Firebirds won 30 games in the FCGSL Metro/Select League (the first time ever for a NVGSA Firebird Team) for a 2008 overall win/loss record of 30 wins against just 2 loses.  It was truly a remarkable ride for the 2008 10U Firebirds!  The 10U Firebird will now take a short break and then prepare to play the spring 2009 season in the 12U Division starting with their participation as a team at the South County Secondary School (SCSS) Winter Softball Clinic.  Anyone wanting additional information about the NVGSA 10U/12U Firebirds should contact Co-Head Coach Yates at (703)963-2450 or yatesmmf@aol.com

10U FIREBIRDS & COACHES WITH CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHIES

Tuesday, November 4

On Sunday November 2nd, the NVGSA 10U Firebirds won their last two games of the 2008 FCGSL Metro/Select League Season thereby finishing with a remarkable record of 30 wins against just 2 losses for the year.  The 30 wins by the 2008 10U Firebirds marks the first time a Firebird team has won 30 games in the FCGSL Metro/Select League in one year. 

Monday, October 20

Below are pictures of the NVGSA 10U Firebirds not only celebrating their two FCGSL victories on  10/19/2008 but also celebrating their Co-head Coach Randy Yates' 50th birthday – which took Coach Yates totally by surprise! 

10U FIREBIRDS SURPRISE COACH YATES BY WEARING 50TH BIRTHDAY SHIRTS

10U FIREBIRDS WEARING 50TH BIRTHDAY SHIRTS IN HONOR OF COACH YATES

 

FALL 2008 10U FIREBIRDS PLAYERS

FALL 2008 10U FIREBIRDS TEAM

Wednesday, October 8

On October 5, 2008, the 10U NVGSA Firebirds won the NSA Prince William Fall Challenge in Warrenton, Virginia – their second consecutive sanctioned Tournament Championship in the past two weeks.  This Championship also awards the 10U Firebirds with an automatic berth to play in the NSA National Tournament in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Just like all year long it was a total and complete team effort by every Firebird.  They went 5 and 1 during the two day tournament banging out 35 hits and scoring 56 runs as a team.  Their big hitters included Katherine Plescow who had 9 hits and an astronomical .643 batting average and Cara Yates who had the Firebirds second best batting average (.455) and on base percentage (.538) during the two days.  Erin Ginch had two big RBI producing doubles, Carley Kastner had 3 extra base hits and Jenna Spille scored 9 of the Firebird 56 runs.  The Firebird pitching continued to be nothing short of remarkable as they did not give up an earned run during the entire tournament.  Pitcher Riley Wilkinson led the team when she was pressed into extra duty due to one of the pitchers not being able to go due to an injury.  Riley pitched 10 innings, giving up only 2 hits while striking out 11 batters and was the winning pitcher in the Championship game on Sunday against the Loudoun Storm – who had given the Firebirds  their only loss the day before.  Madison “Mad Dog” Aker pitched 4 innings over two games and struck out a total of 9 batters.  And, Julia DeSalvo pitched 5 1/3 innings giving up just one hit, striking out 7 and getting the save in the Championship game.  Anne Merrill caught every inning and was awarded two MVP tags for her outstanding defensive play.  Great base running by Firebird speeders Elyssa Dunn, Jenna Edwards and Zoey Mansuer were key to some of these victories especially one of the runs scored by Elyssa late in the Championship game.  So, as you can see it was indeed a total team effort as everyone contributed one way or the other in this Championship.  No one can remember the last time a 10U Firebird Team won consecutive tournament Championships.  Below are the 10U Firebird players and coaches after being presented with their Championship Trophy and their individual plaques.   Way to go Firebirds – 2008 has been an unforgettable ride!!!!

10U FIREBIRDS WIN PRINCE WILLIAM CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIP

Monday, September 29

On September 28, 2008, the 10U NVGSA Firebirds were crowned Champions of the Potomac River Clash Select/Travel Tournament in Sterling, VA following the two day event.  Once again it was a complete team effort by the Firebirds: defensive, offensive and with great pitching.  Defensively the 10U Firebirds made only two errors during the entire two day tournament and made great plays look easy.  Offensively they may have had their best day ever hitting as they won two games by slaughter rule.  But, once again it was their pitching that dominated the tournament.  In game one, the first Firebird pitcher pitched a 1 hit shutout (4 – 0) walking just one batter and striking out 10.   In game two, the second Firebird pitcher pitched also 1 hitter giving up just 1 run (6 – 1).  In game three, the third Firebird pitcher pitched a no-hitter (the first of her career) winning by a score of 13 - 0.  And in game 4, the fourth pitcher only gave up 4 hits and won by the score of 12 – 2.  But, it was once again a total team effort by the 10U Firebirds with all 13 players contributing in winning their first Championship of the year and the first for a 10U Firebird team in recent memory.  The 10U Firebird players and coaches were presented with a first place team plaque and individual medals for their accomplishments.  More importantly, by winning this Championship they received a berth to play in the USSSA World Series in Disney World in Orlando, FL.  The entire NVGSA family could not be any prouder of the NVGSA 10U Firebirds!

10U FIREBIRDS WIN POTOMAC RIVER CLASH CHAMPIONSHIP

On June 8, 2008, the 10U Firebirds placed second in the Faquier Freeze Summer Ice Down Softball Tournament in Warrenton, VA.   It was an incredibly hot one day / four game tournament but the 10U Firebirds were even hotter.  It was once again a total team effort with great defense, hitting and pitching to include a no-hitter by one pitcher in the first game and a 10 strike out (5 inning) performance by another pitcher in game 2.  By games 3 and 4 the hitting took over by the entire lineup.  The 10U Firebirds were presented with a second place / runner up crystal trophy to commemorate their accomplishments.


The 10U Firebirds played in the NSA Cash Bash Tournament in Colonial Heights, VA over the weekend of May 17th and 18th, 2008.  Due in part to their outstanding pitching, defense and timely big hits, they placed third taking home yet another plaque/trophy as they proudly represented NVGSA.  The entire NVGSA family again congratulates the Spring 2008 10U Firebirds!!!

3rd Place in NSA Cash Bash Tournament