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Here’s our TLI for Thursday, July 2, 2020 …
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ATHLETICS MERCADO-TIDD STORMS TEXAS
Like many So Cal teams, Athletics Mercado-Tidd 2023, #8 in the Extra Elite Eighty 14U Club Rankings, had seen very little action heading into the summer and its first tournament action came on Thursday at the Triple Crown 4th of July in Houston, TX.
The Athletics dominated their three pool play opponents, outscoring them 30-0 on Day 1 of the event, which is usually held in the Rocky Mountains as the Colorado Sparkler/Fireworks, but because of COVID-19 the event has been split to three regions — Texas, Tennessee and Colorado.
“It was good to be on the field and having the girls compete,” said Athletics coach Brian Tidd, who guided his team to the PGF 14U Platinum national title game last summer as a first-year 14U team. “They have been working hard to be ready when the opportunity presented itself for competitive games. We went to Arizona a couple weeks back to get games in. We have hosted some games at a private park in California. Probably heading to Utah later this month.”
The A’s started off the day with a 7-0 victory over Texas Bombers Gold-Melton. Kaylyn Jones, #12 in the 2024 Extra Elite 100, went 3 for 3 with a double, two SBs, two runs scored and two RBIs, Kanisha Anderson went 1 for 2 with a double, an SB, two runs scored and an RBI, Kaylee Oh went 1 for 2 with two RBIs and Paige Bambarger, #40 in the 2024 Extra Elite 100, went 2 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI to lead the A’s offense. Alyvia Hernandez and Bell Navarrette combined on a four-hit shutout in a game that was called after five innings because of the mercy rule.
Game 2 was more domination by the Athletics, who shut out Firecrackers STX-Rodriguez, 12-0, in four innings via run-rule. Jones went 2 for 3 with a triple, two runs scored and an RBI, Anderson went 2 for 2 with three SBs, three runs scored and two RBIs, Bambarger went 2 for 2 with a double, an SB, a run scored and three RBIs and Xiane Romero went 2 for 3 with a double, a run scored and four RBIs.
The A’s closed out the day with an 11-0 mercy-rule victory in three innings over Seneca 14U. Romero went 1 for 2 with a double, two runs scored and two RBIs, Bambarger went 1 for 2 with two runs scored and two RBIs, Skye Johnson went 1 for 1 with two RBIs, Jones went 1 for 1 with two runs scored and Anderson and Monique Sandoval both went 1 for 1 with a run scored. Hernandez, Navarrette and Caylea Campbell combined on a no-hitter.
“It was really good,” Bambarger said. “We occasionally struggled for a little bit from the heat and humidity, but we were able to work through it. I was really excited to get back on the field with my team and I’m glad we produced the way we usually do. I’m really proud of the girls and can’t wait for what the rest of the week brings.”
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