Entering Thursday late afternoon under beautifully clear skies in Huntington Beach, Calif., the PGF 18U Premier Nationals was narrowed to eight teams and one of the games was a nail-biter
Setting the scene, the Atlanta Vipers – Tamborra team was playing the Breakers Labs/Carter squad from San Diego.
The Breakers held a 6-5 in the top of the 7th inning, but the Vipers were threatening to tie the game, maybe even take the lead as they had the bases loaded with one out.
Then came one of the smartest plays you’ll see a fielder make.
A ball was hit fairly deep to left field and could have been caught by outfielder Cassidy Shaw in foul ground but instead she let the ball drop harmlessly to the grass.
Why?
Because if she had caught it, chances are the runner would have scored from third to tie the game on a sac fly. Not surprisingly, judging by her smarts, Cassidy—who pitched earlier in the game—and was the flex player, is headed to Princeton in the Ivy League.
And you have to hand it to 2024 pitcher Abby Huhn, an Iowa State commit.
She struck out that batter and the next one to leave the bases loaded as the Breakers won at the Huntington Beach Sports Complex and advance to a later Winner’s Bracket contest again the Bandits 18U – Conroy team that looked strong in a 6-1 victory over Hotshots – Nelson.
Here’s a video clip of Abby getting that game-ending strikeout and showing some emotion as she exits the circle:
After the big win, under a shady tree where Head Coach Jordan Carter addressed his team, we caught up with the coach to ask him about the big win, his outstanding pitcher and the smart play of his right-fielder who made the right decision on letting a foul ball drop:
— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball
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