The 2021 USA Softball All-American Games came to a close on Sunday as Region 10 Stars dominated through single-elimination bracket play with an undefeated 4-0 record while claiming a 2-0 shutout win over Region 5 Freedom in their final matchup of the weekend to earn the coveted All-American Games Championship title.
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Region 10 Stars made their way to the Championship Game by scoring a total of 14 runs on 31 hits through single-elimination bracket play.
The Stars came out swinging with 12 hits in their first game of the day, defeating Region 3 Stripes 4-1 before taking down Region 2 Stars 5-3 in their second contest. In the semi-final matchup, Region 10 Stars met Region 10 Freedom and came out on top with a 3-1 victory to send them to the Championship Game.
Meeting the Stars in the final game of the night was Region 5 Freedom who held an undefeated 3-0 record through bracket play. The Region 5 team outscored their opponents 22-3 throughout their first three games while limiting their opponents to seven hits compared to their impressive total of 35.
Region 5 Stars started the day strong, scoring six runs in each of their first two games, defeating Region 1 Freedom 6-1 and Region 3 Stars 6-0. The Freedom offense exploded in their third game of the day with 10 runs on 14 hits to come out on top 10-2 against Region 5 Stars, advancing them to the winner-take-all game against Region 10 Stars.
The Championship contest was a tight defensive battle between the two teams.
Lily Hauser started the title game off strong followed by Malaya Majam-Finch who struck out three batters and dominantly closed the game. The powerhouse pitchers only allowed two hits while giving up no runs in the 2-0 victory against the talented Region 5 team.
On the opposing side, Madelyn Doty and Abby Atlkinson split time in the circle and combined for eight strikeouts for Region 5 Freedom.
The game remained scoreless through the first five innings before Region 10 Stars managed to take advantage of a defensive miscue by Region 5 Freedom to give them a two-run edge.
That lead would hold through the final three outs of the game as the Stars went 1-2-3 inning in the top of the seventh to seal the 2-0 Championship victory.
Lilly Hauser led the Stars offense with two hits while Taylor Johns, Jerrell Mailo, Kiele Ho-Ching and Dailynn Battee each recorded one hit a piece in the win.
“We set our goal at the beginning that we’re here to win one game at a time. We won each game, and we came into the Championship Game with that same mindset – to win this game, and that’s what we did,” said Region 10 Stars Head Coach, Deb Hartwig who was assisted by Assistant Coach Sherrell Vance.
“This tournament is a fantastic experience for everyone involved. The parents, the players, the coaches, the fans, everyone here at this tournament – it’s just such a great thing to be a part of.”
