Fireworks 16U Power Pool: Day One
The craziness and excitement that is “Fourth of July in Colorado” is officially underway! While weather was again a factor a number of pool play games were able to be completed and we saw a gamut of outcomes from close contests, loop sided scores, and a few impressive outcomes for various programs. We have your condensed breakdown and snapshot of the key events you may have missed on day one!
NorCal Firecrackers Miller
Coach Curtis Miller’s squad dominated day one collecting two 8-0 victories behind an all-around team effort. Top to bottom offensive performances included home runs from Sariah Perez (2021), Angelina DeLeon (2021), Chloe Wong (2021) versus Texas Glory 16U Arkansas.
Faith Gaynor (2021) was “Queen of the Circle” for the Firecrackers throwing eight innings of shut out ball, striking out five on the day.
The Firecrackers have two remaining pool games versus the Intensity Midwest – Ganeff and Marucci Patriots – Jaquish. The Patriots are the only other remaining unbeaten in the BA Pool and should make for a fun matchup.
EC Bullets 02 – Byars
The Bullets are the standing as the only unbeaten in the AG Pool after defeating traditionally strong and well coached Premier Fastpitch Paulson 16U and Ohana Tigers 16U Quarles, 7-5 and 3-1 respectively.
The day was a battle for Byars’ squad who often had to come from behind including a three run final fourth inning for the Bullets versus the Tigers.
Macy Banks (2020) and Brinkley Yevak (2020) anchored the Bullets in the circle and give their team and offensive enough to seal the deal.
Worth noting, for the Ohana Tigers Stella Turner and their defense was stellar holding the Bullets to only two runs on two hits, unfortunately an error allowed the eventual winning won to score.
The Bullets face off against Firecrackers Hagberg and Oklahoma Athletics 16U Premier Madden who both hold a 1-1 record. These should be solid contests for all teams involved as both of these opponents have pitching and can swing it well.
Impact Gold Jazz 16U
A team we’ve had the pleasure of watching first hand, Impact Gold Jazz’s strength rests in their speed and ability at the plate. They’ve started their week in Colorado, 2-0, picking up strong wins against Firecrackers Brashear (9-1) and Atlanta Vipers 03 – Trowell/Billings (8-3). The Impact is in a great position to come out of Pool AF unscathed if their pitching can hold and their offensive continues to produce.
Alison Cooper (2021) and Hannah Benevides (2021) handled the pitching duties on the day and performed well for the Impact; induced outs for their defense and sprinkling the hits they surrendered making it hard for teams to string much together.
Offensively the Impact’s entire lineup was impressive picking up home runs from Allie Clements (2021 – Texas) and Olivia Johnson (2021 – uncommitted); 12 hits versus the Firecrackers; and 15 versus the Vipers where they struck early and put up a seven spot early in the second inning.
If Jazz’s squad can continue to produce and their defense stays sound they have a good shot at finishing high over the Fourth of July.
Pool AA:
Arguably one of the toughest pools in Colorado, Pool AA hosts ScrapYard Internationals, East Cobb Bullets – Biele/Heath, Finesse 16U Dreher/Lesko, and Washington Ladyhawks Breer.
East Cobb Bullets attack the Fireworks tournament with one of the deepest pitching staffs in the country with a high ceiling for success for this team who is garnering a lot of recruiting interest. But Dreher/Lesko’s Finesse squad had other plans defeating the Bullets, 4-1, to remain unbeaten in Colorado. Ashley Miller (2020 Michigan State) kept the Bullets at bay picking up the six inning victory. The Finesse were timely at the plate capitalizing on and stringing together six hits to produce four runs.
The Finesse also picked up a tight 5-3 over the Washington Lady Hawks, another staple, storied, and traditionally very strong club program.
Basically who ever lands any of these teams in bracket play are in for a tough matchup.
Power Pool AC
Another unbelievably talented grouping, Pool AC holds the DeMarini Aces, Fury Platinum, Hotshots Premier – Dumezich, and Glory Adkins Gold 16u.
Most impressively the Hotshots have posted a 2-0 record in pool play defeating extremely strong Aces and Fury Platinum squads.
The Fury have had a bit of a tough, heartbreaking start to the Fireworks tournament. They are competing well and playing strong but have fallen short 7-8 (Hotshots) and 2-3 (Glory Adkins Gold 16U).
Games we are keeping an eye on!
Pool BE:
2-0 unbeatens PFA Gold vs. NW Bullets – Dunman square off later today (7/3). Will be a strong matchup to paint a better picture of where both teams stand.
Pool BD:
This entire pool initially appears that it could be absolutely stacked with talented holding the So Cal Athletics Merinakis/Fox 16U OC, Midland Magic 16U Gold, Marucci Patriots 16U Elite, Georgia Impact Premier – ONeal, and Glory Adkins Gold 16U Bridges.
We are keeping a close eyes on these matchups as they could produce some fun nail bitters. Only one game was able to be played yesterday, 1-0 tight contest between So Cal Athletics and Glory Adkins. Watch out for this grouping moving through the week.
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