Saturday started bracket play at the Atlanta Legacy Invitational and, despite two sizable rain/lightning-induced delays, the field was finalized by the end of the day with four games set up at the 18U for Sunday 8 am competition.
Here’s a look at some of the top games from Saturday…
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Upset of the Day
The Birmingham Thunderbolts – Rocky team had impressed at every stop this summer including Boulder IDT and Top Club National Championship, but the Bolts couldn’t catch up to the GA Power, who jumped out to a first inning league thanks.
North Carolina-bound MIF Alex Brown set the tempo when she singled to start the game, stole second and came around to score the game’s first run and the GA Power never looked back to take the win 5-2.
Said Manager Jay Worley: “Our team’s season is ending this weekend as many players are heading off to college early. To beat a top-notch nationally power team like the Thunderbolts is a great way to finish off the season and, for some of the girls, their travel ball careers.
Best Finish of the Day
The final play came down to a throw at home as the CT Impact had scored on a hit to the outfield to make the game 4 to 3 but Jersey Gator centerfielder Jess Bianco made a great throw from centerfield to nail the would-be tying run at the plate to preserve the win.
Pitcher Adriana Romano threw 5 strong innings and also went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Bianco, the defensive hero, also helped with a 1-for-2 batting day with a walk and run scored.
The Gators advance to the quarterfinals which kick off Sunday morning and they’ll face the Tampa Mustangs – TJ team.
Other Wins to Advance to the “Final Four”
* Speaking of the Mustangs, TJ Goelz’s team had an impressive 6-0 win over a good SC Carolina Elite team as pitch Kyla Berry threw a one hitter with 10 strikeouts over five innings.
Senior first baseman Haley Cummings, going to Chipola College, had a two-run home run in the bottom of the 4th inning and South Florida commit Kathy Garcia-Soto scored two runs and had three steals in the win.
* Steven Locke’s Atlanta Premier Gold team knocked off Team NC – Eaton 6-0 as uncommitted 2022 outfielders Emma Davis and Tagen Levao homered and pitchers Destin Howard and Brooke McCubbin (a Clemson signee) combined on a one-hitter.
Said Coach Locke after the win: “We’ve played well all year like that when we are competing against a strong nationally ranked team and have something to play for.”
The AP Gold had seven hits in five innings as the games were shortened because of the earlier rain delays.
SATURDAY BRACKET GAME RESULTS:
| Day | Time | Team 1 | vs. | Team 2 | ||
| Saturday | 2:00 PM | NC Challengers – Renzi | 1 | vs | Georgia Impact – Gusaeff/O’Neal | 1 |
| Saturday | 4:00 PM | Carolina Elite SC – Genovese | 5 | vs | Jersey Outlaws – Scott | 0 |
| Saturday | 4:00 PM | Jersey Gators – Biasi | 2 | vs | Flower Power Black – Kaser | 1 |
| Saturday | 4:00 PM | GA Power – Berkhiser/Pisciotta | 5 | vs | Birmingham Thunderbolts – Rocky | 2 |
| Saturday | 4:00 PM | Texas Peppers Gold | 3 | vs | NC Challengers – Renzi | 1 |
| Saturday | 8:30 PM | Conklin Raiders – Bates | 7 | vs | RI Thunder Gold – Lotti | 1 |
| Saturday | 8:30 PM | Jersey Gators – Biasi | 4 | vs | CT Impact – Sears | 3 |
| Saturday | 8:30 PM | Atlanta Vipers – Holbrook | 9 | vs | Lady Lightning Gold – Pedy | 4 |
| Saturday | 8:30 PM | Team NC – Eaton | 4 | vs | Sarasota Heat – Dover | 1 |
| Saturday | 10:10 PM | Lady Lightning Gold – Corn/Maguire | 3 | vs | Conklin Raiders – Bates | 1 |
| Saturday | 10:10 PM | Tampa Mustangs – TJ | 6 | vs | Carolina Elite SC – Genovese | 0 |
| Saturday | 10:10 PM | Georgia Impact – Lewis | 7 | vs | Atlanta Vipers – Billings | 0 |
| Saturday | 10:10 PM | Atlanta Vipers – Holbrook | 4 | vs | East Cobb Bullets – Coleman | 1 |
| Saturday | 10:10 PM | Atlanta Premier Gold – Locke | 6 | vs | Team NC – Eaton | 0 |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM | Tampa Mustangs – TJ | vs | Jersey Gators – Biasi | ||
| Sunday | 8:00 AM | GA Power – Berkhiser/Pisciotta | vs | Texas Peppers | ||
| Sunday | 8:00 AM | Lady Lightning Gold – Corn/Maguire | vs | Atlanta Vipers – Holbrook | ||
| Sunday | 8:00 AM | Atlanta Premier Gold – Locke | vs | Georgia Impact – Lewis | ||
| Sunday | 10:00 AM | Semi-final | ||||
| Sunday | 10:00 AM | Semi-final | ||||
| Sunday | Noon | Final |
