Fireworks 16U Power Pool charges into bracket play
Colorado is charging on and into bracket play and we could not be more excited. We’re keeping an eye on all the action and breaking it down throughout the weekend! Let’s dive back into the Fireworks 16U Power Pool field and where things stand. Here are some teams who have performed at the highest level and look strong moving into bracket play.
Carolina Cardinals Nationals
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From a small and wildly successful program stacked with talent and bright futures ahead, the Carolina Cardinals Nationals are an interesting mix of veterans and young guns being comprised of athletes from every class between 2020-2023.
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Coming out of Fireworks Power Pool AE the Carolina Cardinals are currently undefeated in Fireworks play scoring 37 runs while allowing only nine in their pool. They’ve started fast in bracket play as well picking up a 9-1 victory over Tulsa Elite 16U this morning.
In their highest scoring game thus far, Jala Wright (2020, Mississippi State) missed the cycle by a home run versus the Extreme Elite going 4-for-4 in a game where the Cardinals notched an absurd 17 hits, scoring 14 runs. Kenna Raye Dark (2022, North Carolina) nearly no-hit the Extreme Elite going the five inning distance surrendering no runs and only two hits.
What may be the most impressive was the Cardinals’ 12-8 opening game victory over Nebraska Gold 15s – Singleton. A team that can really hit the ball, CCN’s offense was able to keep up and continually produce from the top to bottom of the lineup which included five home runs in the game off the bats of Dark, Taylor Walton (2021, uncommitted), Michele Tarpey (2021, NC Sate), Sarah Gordon (2022, uncommitted).
Co-Head Coach John Garner had this to say about the success start to Colorado, “We [ran] off the airplane and straight to the field excited to compete with the best teams in the nation! Highlights so far that have resonated the great start is our team is playing as a unit. Everyone on the lineup has contributed to the great start!”
Co-Head Coach Coach Monte Sherrill added, “these kids are celebrating working hard. That’s going to be the difference as we get deeper in this tournament. No one [particular] stand out [but] several players that have not been on this big stage have showed up to say we can compete. The ‘Fast and Furious’ pace has been set by Jala Wright, Kenna Dark, Michelle Tarpey Sarah Gordon, Taylor Walton.”
Playing in the “A” bracket, CCN takes the field again at 2PM MT if they defeat Tampa Mustangs Maguire they could be set to face off against Finesse 16U Dreher/Lesko in an exciting evening matchup with a lot of potential.
Tulsa Elite OKC 16U -Walde
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Through four pool play games Tulsa Elite has allowed zero runs and scored 38 themselves. They are the only team in the 16U Power Pool field to complete pool play without allowing a run.
What may be the most impressive part of this team’s start to Fireworks play is how well the pitching load has been carried by the talented Elite staff. Something that’s probably kept their arms fresh and is only going to aid them in their hopeful deep bracket run.
Head Coach Bobby Walde had this to say about his squad’s performance so far, “I’m very happy with our defense and pitching through the first four pool games this week. I feel like all three of our pitchers Morgan Max (2021, UT-Arlington), Hannah Harrison (2020, Pittsburg State), and Maddie Southerland (2020, Oklahoma Christian University) have pitched well and have been hitting their spots and our defense has been helping out with big plays behind them.”
Walde’s squad has collected an absurd 55 hits in their first four games. A few notables include: Aaliyah Brown’s (2020, Oklahoma Christian University) six RBIs versus Stars National and four against Houston Power Connor; Brown, Southerland, Claria Skaggs (2021, uncommitted) all collected home runs; and Kristen Whitehouse (2020, UMKC) went a perfect 3-for-3 versus the Monarchs and a pitcher who received praise from Coach Walde.
“Our sticks started out a little slow in our 2-0 win versus Monarchs Gold, but I also give a lot of credit to their pitcher, who [threw] a great game,” said Coach Walde. “Since then, I feel like we’ve been clicking on offense and hopefully that continues into bracket play tomorrow. Whitney Walde and Kenedi Morelock are doing their jobs at the top, both hitting over .600 this week and Aaliyah Brown, Claira Skaggs, Kristen Whitehouse, and Maddie Southerland have been clearing them off, with 7 HRs and all over .400 average.”
NorCal Firecrackers Miller
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Head Coach Curtis Miller’s squad is another 16U team that looks to have the “chops” to go deep into bracket play. They are 5-0 and in pool play scored 30 runs while holding their opponents to four.
Faith Gaynor (2022) has been an absoute work horse for the Firecrackers throwing most of the innings through all five games. Chloe Wong (2021) picked up a few innings versus Intensity Midwest 16U – Ganeff but outside of that, it’s been all Gaynor. She’s been impressive to say the least.
“I am really pleased the way these ladies are playing,” said Coach Miller. “We are playing super quality teams and these ladies are playing as one heart beat. It’s been a total team effort.”
The entirety of the Firecrackers’ lineup is producing which is dangerous for any opponent they’ll face. Angelina DeLeon (2021), Sarah Warden (2020), Chloe Wong (2021), and Sariah Perez (2021) have all contributed home runs while Kayla Simpson (2021), Joecellia Roberts (2021), Gwyneth Ludwig (2021), and others also notched multiple hit games.
“Honestly, the whole team is [standing out], from the top of the lineup to the bottom. Our defense has been stellar when we have needed it and our pitching has done amazing! This summer has been a great journey. From our first tournament to now has shown so much growth and commitment to what the Firecrackers preach: Trust the system, and they are all in!”
The NorCar Firecrackers are playing in the “A” bracket and take the field soon for their next matchup against OC Tigers Lastrapes. If they can advance, it sets up what could be an incredibly fun run in with either AZ Hotshots 16U – Captain or ACES 16U Ashley.
Other programs to watch
Finesse 16U-Dreher/Lesko
Dreher’s team has played a tough schedule in one of the more stacked pools in the 16U division. Most impressively the Finesse picked up victories over a talent ridden East Cobb Bullets – Biele/Heath team, a tough Washington Ladyhawks Breer squad, and a 10-0 routing of a good and unbeaten PFA Gold in the first round of bracket play.
PFA GOLD
PFA Gold has showed well in Colorado with the exception of their game versus the Finesse. They posted a clean 4-0 record in pool play holding opponents to 13 runs while scoring 38 including victories over NW Bullets – Dunman and GA Power DeMarini Grace. Erica Soliz and Brooke Hatfield have shared time in the circle and appear to be a strong one-two punch for PFA. While offensively everyone has been contribute including Soliz, Lani Canada, Keaghan Ward, Lexi Alaniz, Hannah Dykstra, and Laura Kropko all notching numerous hits.
After losing the first round of bracket play, PFA Gold has a long road ahead of them to battle back and it should be fun to keep an eye on how they response.
Impact Gold Jazz
This Impact squad is doing “Impact things”! We talked about them in our first Colorado 16U post and since they finished pool play unscathed going 4-0 and have also won their first game of bracket play setting up a matchup with the scrappy Washington Ladyhawks Breer team and we’re excited to see this show down.
Hotshots Premier – Dumezich + Diamond Sports Hotshots Premier Shaw
Two exciting teams that are well balanced in all facets of the game and have been cleaning up collide in the second round of bracket play. What could be better?!
Select Fastpitch 16U
Top to bottom the Select Organization is talented (we talked to their 18U program follow success at the Top Gun Invite) and also went 4-0 in pool play. Select scored 30 runs, holding opponents to 10, and won their opening round of bracket play.
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