2008 ASA Runner-up

Presenting the ASA Qualifier runner-up...the Indiana Twisters.  

But, of course, that is starting with the final page of the story.  Return to the beginning with me...

Yes, this past weekend found the Twister ladies on the field once again!  This time they would battle it out with other teams from across the region at the ASA Qualifier in Indianapolis.

Friday evening started a little flat, but the Twisters came back strong and began the tourney with a victory.

The infielders powering up and ready to back up Kelsey Mullen in the circle.

Sara Cearing slides on in to score one for the Twisters.

An awesome center-fielder is a pitcher's best friend!  Here is Maggie Tull doin' her thing, again!

Caitlin is focused on the game...but what has Holly told Lisa to garner that look?!!

Holly Paris in command at the plate in Saturday's game against the very strong Louisville Sluggers.

That's the way to get a hold of all of it, Sara!

Lisa Cappa slides in to third (unfortunately, #20 for Louisville has the ball and makes the tag).

This tight battle would be abruptly when a thinderstorm quickly moved in.  The Twisters are awarded the win with their 2-0 lead in the sixth.

Sunday morning dawned bright and beautiful, so what else does one do on such a day...PLAY BALL (or watch it, anyway).

Kate Shipley at the ready behind the plate for the Twisters. This match-up would be against the ever-tough Indiana Shockwaves but the Twisters would triumph!

If "all work and no play make Jack a dull boy", the Twisters understand that "all play and no lunch make Jill a lethargic infielder/outfielder/pitcher"...so, for many of the Twisters and their families it was off to Rick's Boat House on beautiful Eagle Creek for a much deserved break between games.

It seems everyone enjoyed the food!

Of course, a little "toes in the water" dip was rather refreshing.  (and, believe it or not, all the girls returned to dry land without falling in!)

Back to the ballfields for what would prove to be a long and exciting afternoon and evening of softball.  

Once again the Twisters had to take on the Lady Sluggers.  Maggie Tull helped the Twisters get on the board quick with this amazing slide in around the catcher!!  The Twisters would go on to dominate this one offensively, winning 6-0. (click on image series to view it full-screen)

Morgan in the circle for the Twisters against the Blaze.  This time the Twisters would fight hard, but come up a little short with a 0-2 loss to the Blaze.  (it was actually after this that they faced the Sluggers for the second time--sorry for the out of order pics)

The infield was on top of things and Megan Gray gets the Blaze runner at third.

Holly preps to gun then down at second.

Caitlin scores to add to the Twister lead over Louisville.

As day turned to night, the Twisters were still on the field, this time in the championship game versus the Blaze.  After a rocky first couple innings for the Twisters (pitchers in the outfield...what are they thinkin'?!) the Lady T's hung tough. The defense tightened up and  allowed only one run (solo hr) after the second inning.  The offense's steam picked up in the final innings, but it was too little, too late and the Twisters would have to be happy with the runner-up spot losing 2-5. 

Shelby Barnett waits to apply the fateful tag at second.
CONGRATULATIONS, Twisters.  A battle well-fought!  See you in Elgin!

Twisters go 6-2 in Portage tourney

Why is Coach Mitch smiling?  Because the weather was perfect, his birthday was here and the Twisters were on their game!  (okay, maybe not so much the birthday thing--but what a seranade by the team, eh Mitch?)

This past weekend found our ladies playing in Portage, IN.  Throughout pool play, well let's just say it was good to be a Twister (or a Twister fan, for that matter).  The weekend opened with a 4-0 win over the Inferno and a perfect game for pitcher Kelsey Mullen. The second game also resulted in a Twister victory 10-0 over the Orland As and a no-hitter for hurler Brooke Jordan (gotta love a clickin' defense!).  Game three wasn't too shabby either and the Twisters continued to whirl with a 5-0 victory and another no-hitter, this time for Twister pitcher Morgan Stephens.  In the final game of pool play the ladies rang up yet another win.  By this point, fans had seen shining performances by, well, everyone--including two in the park homeruns one by Megan Gray and one by Shelby Barnett!   Then, as if four games in one day would not be enough even for Willy Mays, it was time to face the Blaze for our first game of bracket play.  This time, although the play was great, the Twisters fell just a smidge short losing 4-5 in extra innings (international tie breaker style).  

Sunday morning dawned bright and clear and the ladies were on the field early.  This game would be a shoot out, with the Twisters going toe-to-toe with the Indiana Raiders.  Up by one, down by one, tie game, then...in the end the pink and black prevailed and the Twisters moved on with a 3-2 victory. Highlights:  a beautiful third to first double play and a pick-off by Holly Paris that would make Mike Piazza proud!

A rematch with the A's was now in store.   The Twisters jumped out quick and the hit-fest continued throughout--including an in-the-park homerun by Brooke Jordan--and they glided to a 15-0 victory.  

Rematches must have been the name of the game for this Sunday, as the brackets now paired up the Twisters against the Blaze once again.  Unfortunately for this Twister ladies this time, their steam seemed to have settled and they fell behind early.  Despite valiant efforts by all, the hole was a bit too big to climb out of and they suffered a 4-8 loss to finish this weekend's run.  

6-2 with only sixteen scored against them throughout all eight games...pretty darn good, ladies!  Hold your heads high!  We can't wait for next week!

Kelsey Mullen smacking one long for the Twisters

Brooke Jordan in the circle on Saturday

Rookie Twister Caitlin Cicholski puttin' one out on the green

Talk about taking command!  Kelsey Mullen threw a perfect game against the Inferno

Ron, what is that?  A farmer's tan with a Twister twist?  Maybe there's rehab for that sort of thing!

Meg Teller shoots off to first with another beautiful bunt

"Safe!"  Shelby Barnett slides in under the tag in the shoot-out against the Blaze

For more shots from the Twisters weekend in Portage, go to www.canonfire.shutterfly.com

Twisters named to All-Area teams

CONGRATULATIONS to the members of the Twisters named to the Lafayette Journal & Courier's All-Area Softball teams.  This is an outstanding honor based on how the player is viewed not only by her own coach, but the coaches of competing schools in the area.  

2008 Small School All-Area members:

Holly Paris (Covington HS)--catcher, thirdbaseman, slugger!  As a Lady Trojan player she gunned down 13 out of the 15 attempted steals this season -- unbelievable!

Kelsey Mullen  -- SMALL SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE YEAR! (here as a Frontier HS Falcon) photo courtesy of the Journal and Courier

and as a dynamite Twister pitcher

2008 Big School All-Area team members:

Lisa Cappa (here as a Harrison High Raider second slot hitter & second baseman)

and here as a Twister phenomenon

Meg Teller (outstanding first baseman of the State Champion McCutcheon Mavericks)

and here showing her bunting prowess for the Twisters!

Morgan Stephens (in the circle for the Harrison Raiders)

and delivering some heat for the Indiana Twisters.
We know that all our Twister teammates are the cream of the crop--it's nice that the J&C was able to recognize a few of them!