The prestigious Colorado Fireworks 14U tournament in Broomfield, Colorado, provided the setting for the national debut of Breeze Clarion 14A. Starting pool play on July 2nd, the Breeze faced off against the Texas Ice from Pasadena, TX. In this rough start, the Ice offensive capitalized at every opportunity while the Breeze bats struggled. Notably, Remy Bradley hit her first Breeze home run, providing one of the two runs scored. The Breeze lost the opener 14-2. Bradley; Hess (2/3) and Shuster. Hess 1x2 (2B); Bradley 1x2 (HR); Miracle 1x2.
In the second pool game, the 14A Breeze played the Tomboys out of Mansfield, TX. The Breeze offense came alive with 7 singles from 7 different players resulting in 7 runs. Defensively, Bradley pitched a complete game with solid defensive effort including a solo double play by Alexas Luchi, to hold the Tomboys to a single run, and ensure a 7-1 victory. Bradley and Miracle. Walthers, Hess, Bradley, McCracken, Miracle, 1x3; Luchi 1x1; Zuhlke 1x2.
Two more pool games were played on July 3rd. The next game versus the Tulsa Shootout (Broken Arrow, OK) was another tough challenge with opportune hitting by the opponent and aggressive base running. Breeze Clarion had difficulty getting balls to drop in and lost the game 12-3. Bradley, Hess (2 2/3) and Miracle. Bradley 1x2; McCracken 1x1, RBI; Miracle 1x1, RBI.
The last pool game against the KC Lookouts (Kearney, MO) continued to challenge the Breeze offensively. Despite playing solid defense, the Lookout found the gaps and the game culminated in an 8-0 loss. Bradley and Shuster. Walthers 1x2.
Bracket play commenced on July 4th. As the #5 seed, Breeze Clarion faced the Diamond Devils (Olathe, KS), a #1 seed from their pool. The action went back and forth with the Breeze jumping out early with a couple of runs. The lead changed to the Diamond Devils’ favor going into the top of the 7th inning, forcing the Breeze to at least tie to stay in the game. The Breeze answered with 2 runs to secure a lead, and then the defense backed up Bradley in the circle to upset the #1 seed with a 9-8 win. Hess, Bradley (2 2/3) and Shuster, Miracle (4). Walthers 2x3; Hess 3x4; McCracken 2x3, 2 RBI; Miracle 1x3 (2B), RBI; Van Tress 2x3.
Continuing in the upper bracket, the Breeze 14A played the Originals from Lees Summit, MO. It was a 1-0 lead in favor of the “O’s” until the fifth inning in the pitchers’ duel. The 6-inning game was called due to a unique tournament run rule so the Breeze fell 4-0. Bradley and Shuster, Miracle (3). Hess 1x2.
In a win or go home situation, the Breeze found themselves one of three Northwest teams still around to play on July 5th. Facing the White Rock Renegades from Surrey, B.C., the Breeze were challenged at the plate, but found a way to play solid defense and keep the game close going into the fifth inning. By losing the coin flip, the Breeze team was once again the visitor. Facing a time limit about to expire, Breeze Clarion was forced to throw hittable pitches in the sixth inning which began with the Tri-City team sown by just one run. The Renegades were able to extend the inning long enough, and the Breeze concluded their tournament with a 3-9 loss. Bradley and Shuster, Miracle (5). Hess 1x2; Luchi 1x2; Shuster 1x2.
“These girls proved they can play with, and beat, some of the best teams in the nation,” stated Coach Gary Bradley. “When they play their best, they are tough to beat. One thing that showed up time and time again this week was that they never quit. They came back again and again, and showed a lot of heart. I can’t wait until State and Regionals.”
