NVGSA Select: My Site News

Tuesday, November 10
The 12U Fairfax Firebirds (Firebirds ’97) are Currently Ranked 7th in Virginia by NSA

The National Softball Association (NSA) recently advised the 12U Firebirds (Firebirds ’97) that they are ranked 7th in the State of Virginia in the 12U Division.  This is great news as the Firebirds ’97 continue to receive recognition for their incredible accomplishments season after season.  This ranking of 7th in the State is their highest ranking in over a year and is only surpassed by their highest ranking ever of 5th in the State of Virginia last year as a 10U Team.  Way to go Firebirds ’97.  Once again you get great recognition for NVGSA!  We are all very proud of you.



Monday, October 5
12U Firebirds 97 Take 2nd Place in the Oktoberfest Fall Softball Tournament in Manassas, VA on October 3rd and October 4th

The 12U Fairfax Firebirds ’97 placed 2nd in the Oktoberfest – Fall Softball Tournament held in Manassas, VA on October 3rd and 4th.  It was their 2nd 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 3rd.  Sunday morning they came out of the blocks with a dominating 14-0 one hitter against the McLean Magic and then faced the 2nd 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 2nd 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.

 

 

 


Sunday, September 27
18U Dimensions Show Off Their Talents at the Salem College Showcase!

The Dimensions 18U traveled to Salem, VA, to participate in the Salem College Showcase for the second year. There were several college coaches in attendance to scout our girls, and we gave them a fine showing. We placed third in a very competitive bracket, playing the Hampton Roads Vipers, Richmond Rampage and West End Waves. Erin O’Donnell pitched a complete game, we had solid defense and some timely hitting from Bria Woodyard and Alison Seigel’s 2 run game-winning single on Saturday as we beat the Waves 4-2. Alex Abrahamson was the star later with a 2 run double, and Michelle Boynton added 2 hits and a great play at the plate to keep it close as we lost a tight game with the Rampage under the lights on Saturday night.

Sunday we came out fast as Jennifer Belk blasted a 3 run home run in the top of the first inning, added a 4th inning double, Alex Abrahamson had four hits including 2 doubles and 2 RBI, and Paulina Gregorowicz added 3 hits. Nicole Rowley pitched a 4 hit shutout and scored a run as the team cruised to a 7-0 win over the Glen Allen Blitz. Our day ended with a loss to the Smithfield Galaxy as we came from behind to tie in the bottom of the sixth, only to lose in ITB. Leading the way were Breanna Stillerman with 2 runs scored on a single and a walk, Sarah Senseney had a double, single and 2 RBI, and Michelle Boynton with 2 hits and 2 RBI.

Overall a fine showing as we ended in ninth place out of a 24 team field. All our players showed the college coaches how they could contribute to college programs through fine play both offensively, defensively and on the mound.



Sunday, September 27
10U Firebirds ('99) Earn 3rd Place at Their First Tournament!
The 10U Firebirds (‘99) recently competed in their inaugural tournament at the 2009 SoftballNation Fall Festival. Although they were the youngest team in the tournament, they displayed solid pitching and defense, aggressive offense and maintained phenomenal team spirit. Two full days of games resulted in (4) wins and only (2) losses.  After an exciting 1-run loss in the semi-final game to the ultimate tournament winner, they won handily to secure 3rd place (Silver Championship).  Kayla Turner was named the Firebird Tournament MVP for her outstanding hitting contributions including a game winning, 3-run walk off home run in Game 1.  Congratulations to the 10U Firebirds players, coaches and families. 
10U y99 Softball Nation
10U Firebirds (‘99) 3rd Place - 2009 SoftballNation Fall Festival

Wednesday, September 16
Recent Tournaments

 

'94 Fairfax Firebirds

 '94 Fairfax Firebirds 16U Loudoun Fall Open Champions

 

 '97 Fairfax Firebirds 12U Loudoun Fall Open Champions



Tuesday, November 10
Individual Team Sites
Click on the links below to see the individual Firebirds Team Sites:

10U Fairfax Firebirds '99 (Mertz)

12U Fairfax Firebirds '97 (Yates)

14U Fairfax Firebirds '95 (Maley)

16U Fairfax Firebirds '94 (Kelly)

16U Fairfax Firebirds '93 (Delaney)

18U Dimensions (Boynton)

Tuesday, September 15
12U Firebirds Win the NSA Loudoun Fall Open Softball Tournament in Sterling, VA and Receive an Automatic Berth to the NSA World Series in July, 2010

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 Fairfax Firebirds '97 (12U) Championship Photo - 2009 NSA Loudoun Fall Open in Sterling, VA.

 


Wednesday, August 5
The NVGSA Fairfax Firebirds '97 (12U) Compete in The National Softball Association (NSA) World Series National Tournament In Roanoke, Virginia
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.