Hanover Thunder Softball Association 

...Practice like a champion today, and practice like a champion tomorrow, and soon you won't have to practice "like" a champion, but rather "as" a champion...

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...last updated
 Nov 28, 2006

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Team Red

Mar 11-12 (1st)
Mar 25-26 (3rd)
Apr 1-2
Apr 29-30 (1st)
May 27-28 (2nd)
Sep 3-4 (1st)
Sep 16-17
Sept 24-25 (1st)
Oct 21-22
Oct 28-29

Team Blue

Apr 8-9 (1st)
May 6-7 (2nd*)
May 27-28
Jun 9-10
Aug 19-20
Sep 3-4
Sept 16-17 (1st)
Sept 30 (1st)
Oct 14-15 (3rd)
Oct 28-29 (3rd)
Nov 11-12

2005 Recap

Trick or Treat - Thunder Don't Get Beat - Win 3rd Tournament in a Row!

The "younger" Hanover Thunder team moved up to play in the "B" bracket of the 12U Trick-or-Treat bash in Hopewell on October 22-23.  Playing against other teams that will be playing their first year of 12U next year, the Thunder showed why they will be a team to beat.  Strong hitting, pitching, and sound fundamental defense lead to 5 straight wins and a 3rd tournament championship win in a row.

In pool play on Saturday, the Thunder beat a talented X-treme Fury team 6 to 4.  The Thunder scored in each of the first 3 innings with contributions up and down the line-up.  In the second game against the Glen Allen Blitz, Hanover scored 4 in the bottom of the first after giving up 2 in the top of the inning.  Strong defense and a solid pitching effort from Auguste R helped the Thunder secure the 6 to 4 win.  In the final game of pool play on Saturday, the Thunder bats were jumpin' leading to 10 runs in 3 innings (3 each in the 1st and 2nd, and 4 in the 3rd inning).  Once again it was a balanced attack with 8 of the 9 Thunder players scoring at least one run for the 10 to 3 win.  The combination of relentless offense and fundamental defense (giving up only 10 runs) was enough to earn the Thunder the top-seed heading into single elimination play on Sunday.

The Thunder survived a close game against the Glen Allen Blitz, scoring 5-runs in the bottom of the 5th to break open a 1-1 game.  Shawna K had 7 put-outs to lead an outstanding defensive effort in this semi-final game.  Auguste R contributed to the win by allowing only 1 run, striking out 9 batters, from the mound.  Four hits and a couple of walks lead to the 5 run 5th which set-up the Championship (re-match) game against the X-Treme Fury.  Yet another well rounded (offense/defense/pitching) effort lead to the Championship game win.  Madison C doubled in the first to help the Thunder jump out to a 2-0 lead.  A 4-hit (Lynnse C, Shawna K, Lindsey N, Courtney D) 2nd inning plated 3 more for Hanover (5-0 after 2 innings).  Lindsey W, Brianna J, and Ashley B all singled in the 3rd (adding 2 more runs) to open up a commanding 7-0 lead.  Although the hitting was outstanding, the defense was what made the difference in the game.  The Thunder worked out of jam after jam in the game.  In all but 1-inning, the Fury put people on base.  The infield (Auguste R, Shawna K, Lindsey N, Lynnse C, and Madison C) had a total 15 put-outs in the game.  After a full 7 innings (final score: Thunder 8 Fury 2), the Thunder had won a third straight tournament outscoring their opponents 38 to 13 in the process.

In 4 tournaments, this Thunder team has a 20-1 record (including 15 straight), scored 204 whiling only giving up 32.  Although everyone knows next year will present a great challenge (moving up for first full year playing 12U), the future looks bright for this awesome group of ball-players!

Tourney Pics...check out the "Happy Manager" (below)...

Quick Quips:

bulletThe manager and coaches want to thank the parents (grandparents and siblings included) for a wonderful year.  The support and encouragement (of the girls and the team) has been very much appreciated!
bulletThe Thunder team is making it's mark around Hanover County as they invaded (and celebrated a great weekend) at another fine Hanover establishment on Sunday - CiCi's pizza.  Mexico (restaurant) and Buffalo Wild Wings have also got to experience the illuminating impact of Thunder power... 
bulletLindsay W gets the "courage" award for 'toughing it out' while battling a stomach ailment on Saturday...
bulletOnce again, we thank Kelly H for helping us prepare (pitching batting practice) during the week... 

Individual Highlights:

bulletCourtney D scored 5 runs in the tournament and was (as usual) the "spirit" award winner - her positive attitude combined with tremendous play behind the plate (she caught every game) was key to the tournament win.  She also made the final put-out of the Championship game as the Fury tried to score on a wild pitch.
bulletLindsey N recorded 3 pitching wins over the weekend.  She combined solid pitching and defense with a 6 for 12 performance at the plate (scoring 5 runs).
bulletAuguste R continued to excel on the mound, earning 2 more wins (Auguste was 8-0 on the year with 69 strike-outs over 43 innings).  She also scored 4 runs on 4 hits (including a double) in the tournament. 
bulletMadison C lead the team with 6 RBIs going 5 for 9 for the tournament.  Of the 5 hits, 3 were doubles and 1 was a triple.  She was demolishing the ball!  Madison coupled her hot bat with several key defensive plays throughout the tournament.
bulletBrianna J scored 4 runs in a 3 for 9 batting performance.  She had 2 key hits and scored a run to help lead the team in the Championship game. 
bulletMegan D battled against a couple of bad breaks at the plate (she was hit by a pitch on Saturday and was tripped up running to first on a solid hit in the finals) to contribute to the teams victory.   She scored twice and had 2 RBIs in the tourney.
bulletShawna "MVP" K had a "break-out" tournament.  She made play after play at shortstop and was scalding hot at the plate batting over 0.600 (7 for 11, 0.623, including 2 doubles and a triple).  A "lucky rock" the umpire gave her while on third base surely contributed to her (and the team's) outstanding play. 
bulletLindsay W played a solid tournament even though not quite 100% (she was not feeling well on Saturday).  Lindsay had a key hit in the Championship game leading to the 2 run 3rd inning that helped to seal the win.
bulletLynnse C went 2 for 5 (0.400) on Sunday (she was not able to play on Saturday) and was key to the Championship run.  She had several key put-outs from 2nd base in the final game. 
bulletAshley B continued to hit the ball well and played sound fundamental defense.  She had a key hit in the 2-run 3rd inning of the  Championship game and also had 2 RBIs in the game.  In the tournament she scored 4 runs and had 4 RBIs.