Stacie Vacek, a senior at Lamar Consolidated High School, has signed a letter of intent to play softball at Galveston College for head coach Ken Delcambre. Stacie plays first base for both her high school team as well as for her travel team, Texas Slam Gold.
Go Whitecaps!!!

In the picture:
Front Row (L-R): Rose Vacek, Stacie Vacek, Ken Vacek
Back Row: Lamar coach Pat Peloquin, Slam coaches John Cox, Theri Tinelli, B.J. Prather, Galveston coach Ken Delcambre

It was a beautiful week in Colorado with pleasant temperatures and blue skies. Here's a recap:

Thursday, June 26
We started off with bad news as Shannon and Danny were in a car accident on the way to Colorado and would not be able to join us. Fortunately, the injuries were not as serious as they could have been, so we are looking for Shannon to bounce back soon.

Monday, June 30, 3:30pm, 9:30am, Christopher Complex
The first games were Sparkler All-Star games as we had several players selected to participate. Bre played at 3:30 and Nicole got a late game at 9:30. Bre was the hustler and Nicole the leader of their teams.

Tuesday, July 1, 8:00am, Lutz Complex, Field 2, vs. Ralston Renegades (NE)
With pink ribbons (Shannon's favorite color) tied to our right shoes, we dedicated this tournament to Shannon and Danny. Things started off quietly in our first pool game as it was scoreless thru 3 innings. Ralston pushed a run across in the top of the 4th and 2 more in the 7th. With a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the 7th, it didn't look good, but the girls would not go quietly. Courtney led off with a single. Bre lined out to 3rd followed by a single up the middle from Maryssa. A single from Haley drove in Courtney and a walk from Rachel loaded the bases with two outs. K.J. had an infield single to score Maryssa and the bases remained loaded. Nicole came up and hit a single to left to score Haley with the tying run. Unfortunately, they were able to make a good defensive play for the third out, leaving the game in a 3-3 tie. Melody, Morgan, and Maryssa contributed by scattering 6 hits and striking out 6.

Tuesday, July 1, 9:45am, Lutz Complex, Field 2, vs. Billings Blaze (MT)
Again things took a long time to develop, but this game turned out much better. They got their only run in the bottom of the 1st on a couple of hits and a sacrifice fly. It took until the 3rd before we got on the board. Sarah led off the 3rd with a single. A sacrifice bunt from K.J. moved Sarah to 2nd, and after an error, Sarah scored on the play. In the 5th we got 2 more. Maryssa led off with a single. Haley put down the sacrifice this time and moved Maryssa to 2nd. Sarah then came up and ripped a triple down the deep left field line to plate Maryssa. Cox then hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Sarah. We put the game out of reach in the 6th with 5 more runs highlighted by singles by Dana, Courtney, Maryssa, Sarah, and Cox and walks by Haley and K.J. Morgan went the distance for the win, giving up 6 hits and striking out 5. Final score, 8-1.

Tuesday, July 1, 3:30pm, 5:00pm, 8:00pm, Christopher Complex
Three more All-Star games were played after the pool games. Cox played at 3:30pm, Morgan and Sarah at 5:00pm, and K.J. at 8:00pm. All 4 players performed well and Cox and Morgan got the good news that they were selected to play in one of the All-American games on Thursday.

Wednesday, July 2
Wednesday was a day of fun for everyone. Most went whitewater rafting and others enjoyed other sights in the Denver such as Six Flags. Everyone returned healthy and ready to go for the next 2 pool games on Thursday.

Thursday, July 3, 9:45am, Pioneer Park Commerce City, Field 1, vs. Victoria Devils (BC)
Unfortunately, Thursday turned out to be a down day for the team. We opened against the Victoria Devils from British Columbia, Canada. They jumped out early with 1 in the 1st and 3 in the 3rd. Once again we faced going into our last at-bat down, this time 4-0. Once again, we mounted a comeback. K.J. and Nicole led off with singles. Dana reached on an error to load the bases with nobody out. Bre then singled up the middle to drive in K.J. With one out, Morgan singled up the middle to drive in Nicole. With the bases loaded, Haley drew a walk to bring it to 4-3. A strike out and fly out to center ended the game as we went down 4-3. Melody pitched the complete game allowing only 2 earned runs.

Thursday, July 3, 11:30am, Pioneer Park Commerce City, Field 1, vs. Panthers Gold (CA)
The Panthers started off early with 3 runs in the 1st and 1 in the 2nd. This time there was no last minute comeback. We managed 1 run in the 4th when Cox walked and moved to 2nd on a K.J. ground out to 3rd. An error by the first baseman allowed Cox to score. The next batter was Nicole who tripled to right center. However, this would be our only hit of the game. Final score, 4-1.

Thursday, July 3, 6:30pm, Christopher Complex
Cox and Morgan played in their All-American games. There were 30+ players on each team, so there was not much playing time expected. However, Cox got to bat in the 1st and hit a single thru the hole into left and played 2 innings at catcher. Morgan was the starting pitcher for her team and got an inning in at 1B later in the game.

Friday, July 4, 8:00am, Schaefer Complex, Field 1, vs. Aquasox (CO)
Due to tie-breaking rules, we were assigned to the Pikes Peak Bracket and began bracket play on Friday morning. Once again our opponent got an early lead with a run in the bottom of the 1st. But we came back quickly with 2 in the 2nd as Nicole led off with a walk, Courtney sacrificed her to 2nd and Bre singled to move Courtney to 3rd. Maryssa hit an infield single to score Nicole and Haley grounded out to 2nd to score Bre. 4 more runs came across for us in the 5th highlighted by singles from Cox, Nicole, and Maryssa; sacrifice bunts from Dana and Haley; Courtney reaching on an error; a fielder's choice from Bre and a walk from Sarah. One more was added for good measure in the 6th when Cox led off with a double, Nicole singled her to 3rd, and Courtney brought in courtesy runner Rachel with a sacrifice fly. Morgan went 5 and 2/3 innings and Melody came in to close it out to complete the 1-hitter. Final score, 7-1.

Friday, July 4, 9:45am, Schaefer Complex, Field 2, vs. Pacific Coast Predators (CA)
This was another game where the hitting didn't show up for us as we managed just 3 hits (singles by Nicole, Haley, and a double by K.J.). Melody went the distance and gave up only 5 hits and no earned runs. Final score, 2-0, and on to the loser's bracket.

Friday, July 4, 1:15pm, Schaefer Complex, Field 2, vs. Souther Edge (LA)
Knowing we were one game from going home, the offense got cracking. 1 run came in the 1st, followed by blowing it open with 5 in the 2nd and 6 in the 3rd for a 12-0 run rule in 3 innings. The offense was strong from top to bottom as many players had multiple hits and Nicole was key with 6 RBIs including a 2-run double and 3-run triple. The game was also highlighted by an inside-the-park homer by Bre to lead off the 5-run 2nd inning. Morgan only had to face 12 batters in her 3-hit shutout.

Saturday, July 5, 9:45am, Skyline Vista Park, Field 1, vs. Cal Dynasty Gold (CA)
This game was close for awhile, but we managed to open it up late. We started off with a run in the 1st when Cox led off with a single and K.J. sacrificed her to 2nd. A wild pitch moved Cox to 3rd and a sacrifice fly from Courtney brought her home. After they tied it at 1 in the 2nd, we went back ahead with 1 in the 3rd. K.J. reached on an error and, after Dana singled, 2 wild pitches scored K.J. We made it 3-1 in the 3rd as Rachel led off with a single up the middle. Cox also singled up the middle and K.J. was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Dana drove in Rachel with a sacrifice fly to center. In the 5th inning, we extended the lead by scoring 4. Courtney led off with a single and Bre followed by launching one over the right center fence for a 2-run homer. After Maryssa singled, Rachel and Cox both hit doubles to end the scoring. Melody pitched another complete game giving up just 1 earned run and scattering 5 hits and striking out 4. Final score, 7-1.

Saturday, July 5, 11:30am, Skyline Vista Park, Field 1, vs. San Antonio Slammers (TX)
By far the most exciting game of the tournament. A back and forth game that started with the Slammers taking a 1-0 lead. We tied it up at 1 in the 2nd and they went ahead with single runs in the 3rd and 4th. Down 3-1 in the 5th, K.J. reached on an error and went to 2nd on Dana's groundout. Nicole singled and Courtney doubled to drive in K.J. Bre came up determined to deliver. After working the count to 3-2 and fouling off a couple of pitches, she finally got her "dream pitch" and drove it high and long, easily clearing the fence in left and giving us a 5-3 lead with time running out. They added 1 in the bottom half of the inning on a solo home run of their own, but the 6th inning went scoreless, highlighted by a great catch in deep left from Sarah and we triumphed 5-4 to stay alive.

Saturday, July 5, 4:45pm, Hyland Hills Park, Field 3, vs. Sacramento Lazers (CA)
After a little break and a change of complexes, we came out strong against the Lazers getting 2 in the 1st, 3 in the 2nd, and 4 in the 3rd to take a 9-0, 4-inning run rule. Once again, a lot of offense from top to bottom, cranking out 11 hits and RBIs from Cox (3), Dana, Maryssa, Morgan, and Haley. Melody and Maryssa split the pitching duties, each going 2 innings and combined for a 1-hit shutout, striking out 5.

Saturday, July 5, 6:30pm, Hyland Hills Park, Field 3, vs. Diamond Dusters (WV)
In a game we will long remember, we played a tough team in the Diamond Dusters from West Virginia. We were able to get 8 hits but couldn't bunch them together in the right spots as we could only come away with 2 runs. With some timely hitting by the Dusters, they pushed 3 across in the 1st and 1 each in the 4th and 5th. Down 5-2 and with time running out, we were forced to hurry and throw strikes in hopes of forcing another inning. But they kept the ball in play and got 3 more to pull out an 8-2 victory. In a startling move, the Dusters coach said that they were down to 9 players with injuries and sick players and they felt it best to not continue and wanted us to take their place and keep playing. After a touching scene as the 2 teams took pictures and hugged good bye amidst tears, it was not to be as the tournament director ruled that we would not be allowed to continue and a forfeit was granted to the following team. But the sentiment of this team from West Virginia would still not be forgotten thanks to a act of good sportsmanship.

Pool Record: 1-2-1
Bracket Record: 5-2
Tournament Record: 6-4-1
Final Ranking: Tied for 9th, Pikes Peak Bracket

We fared better this weekend as we went 2-2-1 at the Gold Round Robin at Spring-Klein. Here's a recap:

Friday, June 20, 7:00pm, Field 1, vs. Texas Impact LC Gold
Things started a bit slowly as the game was scoreless for the first 2 innings. We got on the board in the 3rd when Sarah reached on an error and Rachel reached on her sacrifice bunt, with Sarah scoring on an error. We broke it open in the 4th as the first 7 batters all scored. Cox started it off with a single up the middle. 3 consecutive doubles from Dana, Bre, and Nicole each drove in runs. After a pitching change, Shannon was hit by a pitch and Maryssa walked. After another pitching change, Haley singled driving in the 7th and final run of the inning. Melody cruz-ed thru the 1st 3 innings giving up just 2 hits and Maryssa came in to close it out. Final score, 8-0.

Friday, June 20, 8:45pm, Field 3, vs. Missouri City Magic Gold
The Magic pitchers were able to hold off our hitters thru most of the game and they got a couple of key hits to get the win. Shannon pitched a complete game scattering just 5 hits. Our only runners came from a walk by Sarah and double from Cox in the last inning. Final score, 5-0.

Saturday, June 21, 2:15pm, Field 2, vs. Lone Star Pride
We were able to score in each inning giving Melody and Morgan plenty of cushion to get the victory. We took the lead in the bottom of the first when Cox led off with a single to right, K.J. reached on a bunt single and Nicole singled to load the bases. After Cox was forced at home on a fielder's choice from Dana, Courtney singled to the gap in right center to bring home K.J. and Nicole. 3 more in the 2nd after Bre and Shannon led off with walks. Bre scored on an error and Haley ripped a double down the left field line to score Shannon. Haley moved around on Rachel's sacrifice bunt and scored on a wild pitch. 2 more came across in the 3rd after 2 outs. Maryssa and Bre drew walks and Shannon singled to load the bases. Haley and Rachel each drew bases loaded walks to drive in the runs. Melody and Morgan pitched strong games as Melody allowed just 2 hits and Morgan just 1. Final score, 7-4.

Saturday, June 21, 7:30pm, Field 1, vs. South Texas Hot Stuff
We started off strong with 1 in the 1st and 2 in the 2nd. In the 1st, Nicole singled and moved around to 3rd on Courtney's double off the top of the fence in left center. Dana then singled to left to score Nicole. In the 2nd, Bre led off with a double to left. Shannon singled up the middle, then Haley doubled to drive them both in. The score stayed at 3-0 into the 5th, when their bats started clicking and when the dust settled, the game was tied. After a bit of a scare in the top of 6th when a run nearly scored during the last batter, it ended in a 3-3 tie.

Sunday, June 22, 3:30pm, Field 4, vs. Cy-Fair Battz
A close game thru 3 innings, we got on the board first in the bottom of the 2nd when Dana led off with a single to left and scored on a pick-off attempt at first that got thru all the way to the fence right as Dana circled the bases. The 4th inning saw the Battz bats come alive with 5 hits and 4 runs. Although we threatened multiple times, we stranded 8 runners and couldn't get any others in so the final ended up 4-1.

Friday, June 13, 10:45pm at Collins Park, Field 4, vs. Texas Eclipse Gold
For the second week in a row, we drew a team that ultimately won their berth to Gold Nationals and for the second week in a row, we played them close throughout the game ending up just a little short at the end. The first inning proved to be our undoing as we allowed 2 unearned runs on 1 hit and 2 errors. It stayed 2-0 until the top of the 5th. We got on the board when Shannon reached on an error and was moved to second by Nicole. Courtney walked and K.J. delivered an RBI single. However, time ran out in the bottom of the 5th with a final score of 2-1. Shannon pitched a complete game, scattering just 3 hits and no earned runs.

Saturday, June 14, 9:45am at Collins Park, Field 3, vs. High Intensity Gold (FL)
We returned on Saturday morning, but came out flat. We had just 1 hit thru 5 innings (a 2nd inning single from Dana). In the meantime, they put together 11 hits and we committed 2 errors, ultimately giving them 7 runs. In the bottom of the 6th, we started fighting back, getting 4 hits from our first 5 batters. Nicole led off with a single to left center. After Nicole stole 2nd, Courtney then doubled to the fence in left center driving in Nicole. K.J. singled to move Courtney to 3rd. Bre then ripped a single to center bringing in Courtney. But a fly out to left and grounder to short ended our chances. Final score, 7-2.

Texas Slam Gold travelled to Auburn, Alabama for the ASA 18U Gold Southern Territory Qualifier on the weekend of June 6-8. While we did not reach our goal of qualifying for Gold Nationals, we did come away with some great efforts and our first ASA Gold win. Here's a recap of the games:

Saturday, June 7, 8:00am at Felton Little Park, Field C, vs. Kansas City Peppers
We started off with a lead after one inning, as Courtney, K.J., and Cox all drew walks to load the bases. After a quick pitching change, Dana drove a single up the middle to score Courtney. Two fielder's choices and a popout ended the scoring for the inning. Morgan started and held them scoreless in the bottom of the 1st. Courtney got the only hit in our half of the 2nd and the Peppers' bats came alive in the bottom half. After a couple of singles and a sacrifice bunt brought in their first run, they took advantage of the short fence and drove one out for a 2-run homer. They repeated that in the 3rd with 2 runners on to extend the lead to 6-1. With a seemingly insurmountable lead against a very good team, the girls fought back with some long ball of their own. In the top of the 4th, Bre lost one over the left field fence, and, 2 batters later, Courtney drove one way over the fence in left leaving us down 6-3 with one inning to go. Shannon held them scoreless in the bottom of the 4th, so we had one chance left in the 5th. Dana led off with a single (part of a 3-for-3 game for Dana). Shannon drove a double to the right center field fence to move Dana to 3rd. Morgan grounded into a fielder's choice and, with some heads up defense, they were able to turn a double play, leaving Morgan on 2nd. Maryssa walked and Bre hit a single to center to drive in Morgan to bring it to 6-4, but a pop to short ended the game and sent us to the loser's bracket.

Saturday, June 7, 11:30am at West Ridge Park, Field 2, vs. Louisiana Havoc
What started out as a low-scoring, innocent game turned into the opposite and things got kinda crazy against Havoc. We got to a 3-0 lead after 3 innings. We got 1 in the first with a K.J. double followed up with an RBI double from Dana (part of another 3-for-3 game for Dana). Two more in the 3rd when K.J. singled, Cox sacrificed her to 2nd, Dana drove in K.J. with a double, Shannon singled, followed by an RBI single from Bre (part of a 4-for-4 game for Bre). So, while leading 3-0 going into the bottom of the 4th seemed like a safe lead, the Havoc offense started clicking. What followed was a 7-hit inning that had Shannon relieved by Morgan then Shannon returning to the circle trying to find the right combination to slow them down. It ended with Havoc leading 5-3 and just a few minutes left as we started a new inning. We found ourselves 3 outs away from going home. But the girls would have none of that. Cox led off with a single to left. Dana doubled to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with Bre coming up. She hit one to right that had the right fielder make a do-or-die play with the ball dropping just in front of her glove and going by her. Bre raced around the bases and, with the ball coming into the infield, continued her dash towards home sliding in safely for a homer and giving us the lead 6-5. Not feeling safe with a 1-run lead, Nicole ripped a double to right center and Rachel moved her to 3rd on a grounder to short. A wild pitch brought Nicole in to make it 7-5. Now it was our turn to get 3 outs and send Havoc home. But a couple of walks, a single, a double, and an error brought in 2 to tie it up again. Maryssa came on in relief and got the 3rd out to end the inning. Now it was on to ITB. Haley started on 2nd for us. A single by Courtney moved Haley to 3rd with Courtney taking 2nd on the play. K.J. hit a bunt single as they tried for the play at the plate on a sliding Haley. When the dust cleared she was safe and covered head to toe with dirt. Courtney moved to 3rd and K.J. to 2nd on the play. Now it was Maryssa's turn to lay down the bunt and it worked again, with Maryssa safe at 1st and Courtney scoring. Bre came up needing a triple to hit for the cycle. Not to be denied, she drove one to right center, driving in 2 more runs and completing her cycle. Now all we had to was to protect a 4 run lead in the bottom of the 6th. Not wanting to make things easy, after they got a single, we made 3 consecutive errors. With an 11-9 lead and 1 out, they singled to Sarah in right. After one run scored, a good throw to Cox at home got the 2nd out. But, with 2 runners on, Maryssa coaxed a popup behind the plate that Cox caught it to end the game with a final score of 11-10. After this 2.5 hour game, we had to hustle back to Felton Little Park to make our 3pm game.

Saturday, June 7, 3:00pm at Felton Little Park, Field B, vs. Bama Gold
This game started out as expected, a low-scoring pitcher's duel. We had a 1-0 lead after 3 innings. Shannon starting off our scoring in the 2nd with a single. Morgan ran for her, then Maryssa drove a single down the left field line. Haley followed up with a single of her own and Rachel got the RBI on a bases loaded walk. Unfortunately, this was all of the scoring for us as we only managed 3 singles after that from K.J., Courtney, and Morgan. Shannon and Maryssa split the pitching duties as our opponents took advantage of the short fences again with a 3 run homer along with a few other hits to run the score to 6-1.

Click on this link to view the photos that Craig has taken during the season:
http://homepage.mac.com/craig.hilburn/texasslam/