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 Aces 2006 |
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THE AWESOME 2006 ACES
 | | The Aces at the 2006 16U "A" AFA Nationals in Rocford, Illinois!! |
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ACES AT AFA "A" NATIONALS 2006
The Aces played hard at the 16U AFA "A" Nationals in Rockford, Illinois, July 23rd through the 28th. Their first pool play action was an early 8:00 game with the Illinois Tidal Wave. Jennifer Sirridge provided the highlight of that game with a long home run to left field but unfortunately, we couldn't get the rest of the bats going and ended up losing. The Aces played well in the next game in the afternoon but inconsistency and failure to hit the base runners in again led to defeat. Lauren Kelly had the big hit of this game driving one over the left field fence. The team fought hard but could not quite put things together and ended the day winless.
After a six hour rain delay the next day, the Aces had a solid outing both defensively and offensively. The hits came at the critical times and put the Aces in the lead to stay with their first pool play win. The team gathered together that evening for a little fun and bonding time at a Mexican resturant in Beloit, Minnesota where the team was staying.
Despite another early 8:00 game time on Thursday, the Aces clicked right away and put together a solid all-around winning of 8-1. This game was the best offensive game during the week as we delivered big hits and scored runners in bunches, including a five run third inning where all the action occurred after two outs. Lauren Kelly had a strong at bat, hitting a three run double and a two run homer.
The Aces saw a lot of action in the next game against a strong Oklahoma Select team and battled to the end before bowing 2-1 in an outstanding game. The defenseive play of the game (and perhaps the season) made by left fielder, Beth Folks, was a diving catch of a line drive headed towards the fence, robbing the hitter of an extra base hit and saving a run when, after the highlight reel catch, Beth quicly returned the ball to second to double off the runner who had raced around to score on what surely looked like an extra base hit when it headed into left field.
Later that day, the Aces faced a strong Minnesota team but the Aces jumped out to an early lead that held up through the middle innings. Unfortunately, we were not able to hold on to the lead and lost waht certainly seemed to be a game that got away. There were several instances when a couple of inches were the difference between the play that might have turned into an Aces victory. Ashley Salter and Maegan Mathiasmeier hit the ball well as they had throughout the tournament but it was not enough as the Aces were defeated ending their run at Nationals and closing out the season.
 | | The Aces enjoying Mexican night out during Nationals! |
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 | | The BEST group of girls ever!!! |
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Great Weekend at the Heartland Exposure Tournament
The ACES were awesome during pool play at the Heartland Exposure 18 "A" tournament played at Keystone and Hidden Valley the weekend of June 17-18. Saturday's wet and cool weather provided a chilly change from the heat but proved to helpful in winning the first game with the Force 4-2, tying the second game with the Frisco Express 3-3 and again tying with the Unity 4-4 in pool play seeding us 2nd for Sunday's single elimination round. Sunday's first game with the Firestix, delayed by rain during the night, was an awesome 3-0 win. The ACES then played the Fusion and unfortunately, could not get the bats going until the 4th inning and made too many errors losing 11-4. Even so...with twenty-five 18 "A" teams at the tournament the Aces ended the weekend with a 5th place finish!
WAY TO GO ACES!!
 | | Meghan, Kelsey, Lauren, Maegan, Ashley, Jen, Caitlin, Courtney, Beth and Megan! |
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Aces Shine at Sparkler
The Aces trip to the Colorado Sparkler provided an opportunity for the team to shine at high altitude. Though the team lost their first pool game in a late inning heartbreaker, won the next three pool games giving up only two runs in the three games. In bracket play, we came up against a tough 1st round opponent and ended up on the losing end of the score, but played an outstanding game in our next outing to stay alive. Our next game found the Aces playing well and leading into the last inning but a rally by our opponent evened the score and we ultimately lost in the tiebreaker ending the tournament an overall 4-3.
Overall, we played well winning 4 games and playing close down to the very end in two tough losses. Lauren Kelly hit her first homerun going over a 230 fence and Caitlin Riser hit an in the park grand slam!! The team played well together and enjoyed the scenic views that provided the backdrop for some fast-paced softball. In addition to some good team play, we also had opportunities to do things together as a team and to play opponents from all over the country, including a team from Anchorage, Alaska...now that's what I call a road trip.
 | | Caitlin, Kelsey, Ashley, Lauren, Courtney, Megan and Meghan |
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Fun Times in Colorado!!
|  | | Gotcha!! Caitlin, Megan and Lauren |
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 | | Speedsters Megan and Ashley! |
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MORE Fun in Colorado
|  | | Sleders...Lauren, Meghan, Caitlin, Jen and Beth!! |
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The Aces played in the Colorado Sparkler tournament in June but when not playing ball they were out just "playing"! They visited the Boondocks Fun Center for water bumper cars, go carts, and miniature golf along with going to Alpine 8 in Breckenridge to ride the slide and zip line. And of course, what would an Aces trip be without great food...they enjoyed a "gigantuous" pizza in downtown Breckenridge along with a night out at the Traildust Steak House in Denver.
 | | The Aces enjoyed devouring this "gigantuous" pizza!!! |
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and MORE Fun in Colorado!!
|  | | Caitlin and Beth in front. Jen and Kelsey in back! |
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 | | Watch out..it's Meghan, Caitlin, Jen and Beth! |
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The ACES Players Have Talent and LOOOOOKS!!
|  | | YEEEHAW!!! Our Aces cowgirls!! |
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 | | The zip line crew...zip, zip!!!! |
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ACES Headed for State and Sparkler Tournaments
The ACES will be playing in Wichita as the ASA "A" State tournament the weekend of June 23-25th and hoping to qualify for Nationals in Seattle Washington the first week of August. They will then head out to Colorado for the Sparkler tourney June 27th through July 2nd. Hopefully, some of the girls will be recruited by perspective colleges after July 1st and get to visit some of their favorite schools and work out scholarships to play ball!!! Play hard and show your stuff ACES!!! We believe in you 100%!!
USSSA Tournament at Mid-America West
| |  | | Three up, three down, let'sgo!!! |
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The Aces experienced very few hits at our June 3-4 tournament at Mid-America West in Shawnee. This was an 18 "A" tournament and were up against some awesome pitchers. Unfortuantley, we lost all four of our games putting our season record at 7 wins and 4 losses.
 | | The Aces "grueling" team advice and peptalk!! |
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Memorial Day Rainout
The Aces came ready to play ball Sunday, May 28th, at their season opener at the Field of Dreams in Basehor. We started out early with great offensive and defensive play winning the first 5 games and losing the last one 4-2. Kelsey Warkentine, Meghan Miller, Maegan Mathaismeier and Courtney Johnson all hit homeruns and won "Yard Dog" shirts for their awesome display of power. On Monday,Memorial Day, we started out with two wins and then the lightening and rain came and forced them to cancel the rest of the day. Regrettably, we didn't get to finish out the tournament and earn our first tournament victory.
It'S...OUT OF HERE...HOMERUN!!!
Aces Prepare for 2005 Fall Tournament Schedule
|  | | First Place ~ Check out that scorebaord! |
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The Aces took first place in the Octoberfast-pitch tournament, October 8-9 at the Field of Dreams in Basehor beating out the Rockets 1-0 in the sixth inning! They will be playing in the Spooktacular exposure tournament, October 22-23 at Hidden Valley in Blue Springs. This tournament should help us better determine where are strengths and weaknesses are as all the major competitors will also be attending.
We are happy that Ashley Salter #13 has finished up her high school softball season in Missouri and will be able to join us for our fall tournaments! The Spooktacular will be the last tournament that #10 Danielle Grasso will be playing as an Ace. We are sad to see her, her hits and her humor leave us!
Practice continues at Saint Thomas Aquinas every Sunday afternoon through October 30th from 3:00-5:00. Beginning December 4th the Aces will practice every Sunday, 4:00-6:00 at the Inside Sports Facility. Come on out and support the Aces!!!!
WELCOME ACES PLAYERS FOR 2005-2006
The Aces have eight awesome players returning to the team for the coming year! They are #2 Beth Folks, #5 Meghan Miller, #6 Courtney Johnson, #7 Lauren Kelly, #9 Caitlyn Riser, #13 Ashley Salter, #15 Megan Spulin and #23 Jennifer Sirridge. We are lucky to have #10 Danielle Grasso joining us for fall ball and then she'll be concentrating on going to college. We would like everyone to welcome our two new players, Maegan Mathiasmeier and Kelsey Warkentine! Maegan is from Overland Park and attends St. Thomas Aquinas High School. She played catcher for the Olathe Rockets last season. Kelsey is from Auburn, south of Topeka. She attends Washburn Rural High School and previously played ball for the Topeka Komotion. They make terrific additions to an already wonderful team!!
Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!
Fun Fun Fun by Beach Boys
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