Event Recap: USA Softball HFL July 4th Showdown Gets Teams on the Newly Refurbished Hall of Fame Complex

The USA Softball HFL July 4^th Showdown wrapped up on Wednesday at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and saw a home-state team win the highest age division, 18/16U, while a team from the Midwest took the 14U title.

It also allowed for action to get back on the fields at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex and the reactions were very positive.

Ryan Taylor, who oversees the Aces Fastpitch organization and is the Commissioner of the HTL, was happy with the Showdown, especially considering how it was pulled together when the Coronavirus led to the cancellations or modifications of events.

“Once Colorado started to fall apart, our league was focused on pulling the best teams throughout the HFL to play in one centralized location,” he says.

“What better spot than the softball capital of the world?  We were so excited to work with USA Softball to host the first tournament after the 20+ million-dollar renovation.  This was the first time most of the players/team had the opportunity to play at the Hall of Fame (complex) and t didn’t disappoint!”

We’ve waited a long time to say ‘PLAY BALL’ at #USASoftball Hall of Fame Complex…

The wait was worth it. pic.twitter.com/7dFjHhYgi6

— USA Softball (@USASoftball) July 2, 2020

“The facilities are second to none,” Taylor continued, “the fields are cared for after every game. The new renovations and playing surface were excellent.  There were college umpires, eight who have WCWS experience, and there was an elite level play on the field.  It was great to bring our divisions together for the first time at such a prestigious complex.”

The Oklahoma Athletics 18U Premier – Madden team defeated Tulsa Elite National 11-4 to take the 18U/16U championship while Illinois Chill Gold captured the 14U by blanking Iowa Premier 14U National 8-0.

The A’s – Madden team averaged eight runs per game and went undefeated in the tourney and Coach Brian Madden said: ““We clicked as a team, everyone contributed.”

In the title win, Tulsa Elite put three runs up in the top of the first inning, but the A’s stormed back by scoring three runs in each of the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th innings to put the game away.

Nine players had hits including Zadie LaValley, who had a three-run home run, Mattison Lee, who went 2 for 3 and scored two runs, Emily Deramus who went 2 for 3 with two runs knocked in and Rylan Dooner who went 2 for 4 and had a pair of RBIs. Mckenzie Wagoner went five innings in the circle to get the win.

In the 14U championship, the game was scoreless until the bottom of the 3^rd when the Chill would put up three runs—the only scoring the team would need—as pitcher Kaitlin Ryan threw a complete game, two-hit shutout while striking out six and not giving up a walk.

The Chill put up 13 hits with Brooke Klosowiscz (2 for 3 with a home run and 3 RBIS) and Brooke Kuczynski (2 for 2 with a triple and 2 RBIs) driving home runs in the key third inning. They, along with Wrigley Fanter (3 for 3 with 2 RBIs), Emma Kavanagh (2 for 2 with 2 RBIs) and Erin Pinter all had (2 for 4 with two runs scored) all had multiple hits.

The event was the first to have the HFL (for Heart of America Fastpitch League) name attached to it and was produced by Top Club and Team 1 and powered by the HFL.

“It was fun to get teams from across the HFL to play in the newly renovated Hall of Fame stadium,” said Madden. “It was very competitive and the future is bright for the HFL.”

Here are the top age finishers in each division:

18U/16U Order of Finish
1 – Oklahoma Athletics 18U – Madden
2 – Tulsa Elite 18U
3 – Aces Fastpitch
4 –  Iowa Premier GOLD 18U
5  –  Oklahoma Athletics 16U Premier-Madden
5  – Jersey Intensity KOD
7  – Aces Fastpitch
7  – LLG DPS CORN
9  – St. Louis Chaos Beatty
9  – Jersey Intensity BOD
9  – Oklahoma Force 03
9  – Athletics-Mercado/ Greg
13  – St Louis Chaos 03 – Beatty/Benck
13  –  Illinois Chill Gold 18U
13 –  Tulsa Elite 2021
13  – Iowa Premier 16U Gold
17 –  Illinois Chill Gold 16U
17  – Oklahoma Pure Fastpitch (Gibson)

14U Order of Finish
1 – Illinois Chill Gold 14U
2 – Iowa Premier 14U National
3 – Aces Fastpitch
4  – Southern Storm
5  – OK Athletics 14U Premier Madden
5  – St. Louis Chaos 05 – Alvarado
7 –  Jersey Intensity 14U National
7  – Tulsa Elite NWA 05