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 Aces 2005 |
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The Aces at Nationals in Olathe, Kansas 2005
 | |  | | Three up, three down!! Let's go ladies!!! |
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AFA Nationals competition for the Aces began Tuesday afternoon with a 12:30 pm game with the Oklahoma Commotion. Rain threatened throughout this closely contested ballgame, but held off until after the final out had been recorded. Unfortunately for the Aces, the Commotion was able to push a run across in the first inning that held up for a 1-0 Commotion victory. Heavy rain, which began immediately after the game, made it impossible for other scheduled games to be completed.
Wednesday, the Aces battled the Texas Havoc in their first game of the day and while the team played well defensively and threatened throughout the game, runs were hard to come by. The Aces went into their last at bat trailing 3-1 but rallied for four runs and then held on to win an exciting 5-3 victory. That evening the Aces took on the Minnetonka Black team from Minnesota and in a well-played defensive game came away with a 5-3 victory. The Aces concluded pool play as the second-seeded team with a 2 and 1 record.
Thursday, the team moved into bracket play where they met the Echoes from Nebraska. In what might have been the Aces best defensive game of the year as we led throughout the game and went on to beat the Echoes 5-2. Bracket play for the Aces continued on Friday when we met the powerful Nebraska Fury, and in a game dominated by the strong pitching performance of the Furys starting pitcher, the Aces fell 7-1. The Aces returned to the field in the afternoon playing a strong team from Oklahoma City. The Aces got off to a good start, jumping out to 3-0 lead but some flaws in the normally steady Aces defense allowed the opposition to get back into the ball game and we entered the final inning with a narrow 3-2 lead. Unfortunately, we were not able to hold onto the lead and went into our final at bat trailing 4-3. Though we were able to get a runner on and advanced to second, we were not able to get the run home and ended the game and the tournament with a 4-3 loss.
WHAT A SEASON!! WE LOVE YOU ACES!!!! YOU'RE THE BEST!!!!!
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 | | "Hey...Did you check out the waiter?" |
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Always...I Mean ALWAYS...Food and Fun with This Group
|  | | Stan only had to tell us to get quiet once...OK maybe it was three times! |
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We stopped at the Olive Garden for some refueling after our last game at Nationals in Olathe. We were definitly disappointed with our loss but talk of playing ball next year (and the food and of course, the waiter) soon perked us up!!
 | | The tie dyed Aces ready for Opening Ceremony at Nationals! |
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Aces Fun at the AFA "A" National Tournament 2005
| |  | | The Aces throwing out decks of cards in the parade at Nationals! |
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The Aces looked awesome at the AFA "A" National Tournament Opening Ceremony held July 25th at the College Boulevard Activity Center. The tie dyed tank tops, boas and decks of cards to throw at the audience enhanced the fun! The weather was hot but a nice wind was blowing to keep everyone cool. The Kansas City Cobras marched, danced and entertained the crowd with their music and moves! Sixty-five teams from all over including Kansas, Missouri, California, Colorado, Illinios, Minnesota, Nebraska and Oklahoma were in Olathe to compete July 26-31 at the 2 OGSA sites!
 | | Team talk preparing for tomorrow's game! |
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 | | We won again! Awesome game ladies!!! |
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THAT'S OUR ACES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAY TO GO ACES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 | | Hard work, focus and a lot of heart pays off!!! |
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ACES Take 3rd at 16U ASA "A" State Tournament 2005
The Aces took 3rd place at the 16U AFA "A" State tournament held in Lawrence, Kansas, July 9-10. The team went to the fields early Saturday with high hopes but our bats were too quiet and we went down to defeat in all three pool games to the Leavenworth Twisters, Wichita Vipers and Kansas Chaos. On Sunday morning the team came determined and focused beating the KC Stampede in a nine-inning thriller, 3-2. Our next game was a return match with the Vipers who had beaten us Saturday 1-0. This time the Aces were ready and in a well-played game, beat the Vipers 7-1.
We immediately moved across the complex to play the Manhattan Lady Cats. While the Aces fought hard, the Lady Cats pushed 8 runs across the plate to establish an 8-0 lead. The Aces mounted a major comeback scoring 7 runs and getting the tying run into scoring position before the Lady Cats were able to get the final out and leave the Aces rally one run short, earning a 3rd place finish. While the team was disapppointed, the coaches were very proud of the girls determination and spirit that helped us overcome a bad Saturday and put us into a position to challenge for the tournament crown. In the photo above are front row: Head Coach Stan Spurlin, Lauren Kelly, Kourt Brim, Meghan Miller, (trophy in front), Danielle Grasso and Beth Folks. Back row: Coach Steve Kelly, Ashley Salter, Megan Spurlin, Caitlyn Riser, Jennifer Sirridge, Courtney Johnson, Coach Ed Grasso and Coach Darius Salter.
WAY TO GO ACES!!! WE'RE ALL PROUD OF YOU!!!!
 | | Congratulations, ladies!! Come claim your hardware!! |
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 | | Caitlyn, Megan, Beth, Meghan, Lauren, Courtney, Ashley, Jennifer and Kourt |
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Fun in Nashville at the Wildhorse Saloon 2005
| |  | | Preparing to line dance at the Wildhorse Saloon! |
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After arriving in Nashville Tuesday, June 14th, (before pool games began) the Aces got a taste of good ol' country music with some wild line dancing, a game or two of billairds and terrific food at the awesome Wildhorse Saloon. The girls were all decked out in their finest "country" fashions and ready to party! Good friends...good food...good dancing!!!
 | | The Aces having "pool play" fun!!! |
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SUMMER 2005 16U "A" KANSAS ACES
| |  | | Music City Hits Exposure Tournament in Nashville Summer 2005 |
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The 16U "A" Kansas Aces has been playing great ball for Summer 2005!! Coach Stan Spurlin, and assistants, Ed Grasso, Darius Salter and Steve Kelly have intensified our workouts to help us be the best players we can be! We've had a few alterations since fall ball. We've welcomed #8 Kourtney Brim, as one of our catchers, DH and all round utility player to the team and unfortunately, Leslie Gustafson #24, one of our pitchers, has decided to retire. She has been with the team a long time and will be missed!
In the team photo above are from the left to right in the back: #23 Jennifer Sirridge, #10 Danielle Grasso, #7 Lauren Kelly, #2 Beth Folks, #15 Megan Spulin and #6 Courtney Johnson. Front row: #8 Kourtney Brim, #13 Ashley Salter, #5 Meghan Miller and #9 Caitlyn Riser.
 | | Gearing up for another game in the Music City Hits Tournament in Nashville! |
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The ACES Get Fleeced...on Purpose of Course!!!!
"Blanket making at it's finest!"
"Who has the scissors?"
"This is A LOT of knots!"
 | | Blankets in the making...cutting and tying the knots! |
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 | | Who can inhale their ice cream sundae the quickest?!? |
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ACES Friends, Fun and Food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|  | | The pizza has arrived! M-M-M |
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The Aces enjoyed lazer tag, pizza and ice cream sundaes while socializing after practice January 16th. The ladies also watched a movie while cutting and tying knots on their new fleece blankets at the Grasso home. No lack of appetite for the Aces...the pizza and ice cream were quickly devoured!!
Fall Ball Has Been Great!!!
Fall ball practice will be every Sunday 3:00-5:00 at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. We will conclude outdoor practice on Sunday, October 24th with a Parent Meeting at 4:30. Indoor practices will be at the Indoor Sports KC facility at 91st and Flint in Overland Park, just north of Oak Park Mall, beginning in December and going through February. Any practice or training you can do on your own at home, clinics, camps, etc, please do so!!! We want to be the BEST we can be!!
That Game Was Awesome!! We're Ready to Play Again!!
The team's accumulative slugging average for the first tournament was .495 and team members on base was .486!!! Not too shabby for fall ball and we had some of our key players not able to play. Keep it going Aces!!!!
Gettin' Down and Dirty is Just Part of Our Game!!!!
Our fall ball record stands at 8-2 following the tournament October 16-17, at Basehor. Our shortstop, Lauren Kelly, was absent for the weekend but we had our longtime Aces players, Jena Comiskey and Ashley Salter, back in action. Great ball, ladies!!! Let's keep working at it!!!
 | | Fall 2004 Kansas Aces in Basehor |
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FALL 2004 16U "A" KANSAS ACES
We've arrived...the new and improved Aces is a highly competitive program in their 6th year of competition. We will play as a 16U "A" team but will undoubtly play predominantly 18U tournaments. The Aces, coached by Stan Spurlin, already earned first place at their first fall tournament, "Kill the Umpire" in Basehor, September 25-26. Looking good, ladies!!! Way to have some fun!!! We salute our players from the past and extend a warm welcome to our six new, but seasoned ball players! Introducing from back left are: #9 Caitlyn Riser, #2 Beth Folks, #10 Danielle Grasso, #23 Jennifer Sirridge and from front left are: # 15 Megan Spurlin, #24 Leslie Gustafson, #7 Lauren Kelly, #5 Meghan Miller and #6 Courtney Johnson. Not pictured with the team is #13 Ashley Salter.
 | | Courtney, Meghan and Lauren with Jennie Finch!! |
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Jennie Finch in Person in Kansas City 2004
| |  | | Photos and autographs galore!! |
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Courtney, Meghan and Lauren experienced a dream of a lifetime and met Jennie Finch, the beautiful and awesome pitcher from the 2004 Olympic fastpitch team. Jennie was the speaker at this year's Project S.O.S dinner on Wednesday, November 17th at the Double Tree Hotel in Kansas City. She talked with the girls, signed photos and softballs and even mentioned them in her speech. She said that she could remember meeting Dot Richardson when she was in high school and couldn't believe that she was now in the position that girls actually wanted to come meet her. Her speech also included inspiring stories of her childhood softball days, practicing softball and the encouragement that she always got from her parents and teammates. She's gorgeous, talented and very inspirational! Check out Jennie's website!!!
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~Alabama~
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