Aces Fastpitch Club had a very strong showing at the USA Elite Select Top Gun Heritage this weekend at Bouse Sports Complex in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in what was believed to be the first club tournament in the nation since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ryan Taylor‘s Aces 18U squad, #8 in the Extra Elite Eighty 18U Club Rankings, and his Aces 16U team, #30 in the Extra Elite Eighty 16U Club Rankings, both went 4-0 on the weekend to reach the 18U finals. They decided not to play each other in the finals, so they could drive back home.
“I thought they did a great job being responsible with following guidelines and protocols regarding COVID,” Taylor said. “Teams kept their own balls, sprayed dugouts down after games, thumbs up rather than handshakes, etc. The most exciting thing about the weekend was the energy from the coaches, athletes and their families to be back on the field. (We) appreciate the tournament directors and their efforts trying to get the girls back to competing.”
The 16U Aces pulled off a huge win in the semifinals with an 8-3 victory over Iowa Premier Gold-Dickel, #22 in the Extra Elite Eighty 18U Club Rankings. The Aces scored seven runs in the first three innings to put Iowa Premier behind the 8-ball.
Lauren Camenzind went 1 for 3 with a double, two runs scored, Aynslee Linduff went 1 for 2 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI, Hannah Camenzind went 1 for 3 with a run and an RBI, Zoe Caryl went 1 for 2 with a run and an RBI, Alivya Bollen went 1 for 3 with a run, Marra Cramer went 1 for 2 with a run, a stolen base and two RBIs, Olivia Bruno went 1 for 2, Sydney Malott went 1 for 3 with an RBI, Kyleigh Lamont drove in a run and Lillie Filger had a hit. Hannah Carmenzind started and allowed two hits, no earned runs, no walks and struck out two in three innings to pick up the win and Olivia Bruno allowed one hit and one walk in two innings of scoreless relief.
Iowa Premier was led by Kylee Sanders, who went 2 for 3 with a run, and Abbie Squire, who had an RBI triple.
The 18U Aces picked up a 7-2 win over Wichita Mustangs 18U in the other semifinal. Lauren Howell started and worked 2.1 innings, allowing one hit, one earned run, two walks and striking out one to earn the win and Mac Morgan threw 2.2 innings of perfect relief with four strikeouts to notch the save.
Avery Hobson went 1 for 2 with two runs, Ashton Maloney tripled and scored a run, Kara Daly went 1 for 2 with a run, Makayla Rice went 2 for 2 with two runs, Georgia Rea went 1 for 2 with a run and Cally Kidlow went 2 for 2 with two RBIs to lead the Aces offense.
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OK IMPACT GOLD TAKES 16U TITLE
Harding-commit Emma Curry went 2 for 3 with a triple, a homer and four RBI to help OK Impact Gold Premier 16U-Smith take down Oklahoma Athletics 04 Premier-Madden in the 16U finals.
OK Impact Gold got contributions from throughout its lineup all weekend during its run to the tournament title.
“Emma Vickery was definitely the team workhorse this weekend,” OK Impact Gold coach Scotty Smith said. “She was our only available catcher. She caught all six games, only allowing one SB and had 4 pickoffs. Also, she had .412 average in the weekend. (And she has a) cannon for an arm!
“Our pitching was done by committee. Both Laken Malone, a 2021 committed to Maryville who got the start in five games on the weekend, and Emilee Watkins, an uncommitted 2021 with a D1 arm who got the call in the championship, were great!”
Emporia State-commit Harley Sturm led the team with a .429 average, uncommitted 2021 OF Sadie Saul made four diving catches in the outfield and hit three homers and uncommitted 2021 OF Jess Ahren batted .400 on the weekend.
*** Scroll down to read more from the Top Gun Heritage including the 14U and 12U results plus all the game scores …
