Tourney 3

     In a tournament that featured some of the best teams in the state, the Thunder made it into the Gold Bracket - winning 2 games to advance to the semi-finals. The tournament featured 28 teams with 6 pool play games on Saturday and Sunday -- the top 16 advancing to the Gold Bracket. In pool play Saturday, the Thunder started off slowly with only 1 win, a tie, and 2 losses. The rough start meant that they had to win both games on Sunday to advance to the 16-team Gold Bracket. In both games, the Thunder took control and eventually cruised to an 11-1 win against the Shockwave and an 11-0 win against the Bombers.
   The 3-2-1 record put the Thunder as the #12 seed and set-up a match-up against the Broadway Heat. The Thunder put up 5 runs in the first 4 innings and cruised to an 8-1 win. In the quarter-finals the Thunder were matched up against a very talented RBI Inferno Gold squad. After 2 scoreless innings, with the bases loaded and 2 outs, the Thunder's Julie P blasted a gap shot that scored all 3 runners. Those 3 runs proved to be the only scoring in the game as both pitchers (Kelsie B for the Thunder) were in top form and both defensives were stellar.
   In the semi-final showdown, the Thunder faced the Glen Allen Blitz -- in a back and forth game, the Blitz were able to squeak by the Thunder 3 to 2. Both teams played extremely well in a game that featured several defensive gems. The loss knocked the Thunder out of the tournament while the Blitz lost a close game to the tournament champion Slammers in the finals.
   In an extremely hot and long weekend, the Thunder proved that it can compete with the best! Congrats to the Thunder players and thanks to everyone who supported the team throughout the weekend...

> Thunder players return to the family...thanks to Shelby W (pitcher, 3rd base), Kelsie B (pitcher), and Lynnse C (outfield, 2nd base) for contributing to a great weekend...

> Special thanks to SoftballNation and all the teams (especially the Lady Aces) that showed compassion and support for the Thunder after a rough and emotional start to the weekend...

> Key Thunder contributors at the plate included Courtney D (see below), Shawna K (0.417 with 6 RBI, 11 RS, and a home run) and Julie P (0.364, a double, 3 RBI game-winning triple)...

> Ashley B, Courtney D, and Shawna K combined for 33 (11 each) of the 49 runs scored for the Thunder...

> Kelsey M pitched an incredible 28 innings (in near 100 degree heat) and earned 3 wins in the tournament...

> Shelby W, after a long-layoff, was a key contributor on the mound and at 3rd base...

> Kelsie B allowed only 1 earned run and pitched a 2-hitter with 5 Ks and only 1 walk against the RBI Inferno Gold...

> Megan I, aka "Frogger", was a "beast" at 2nd base -- making several highlight reel plays over the weekend...

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Hanover Thunder Softball