Pinellas Warriors qualify for NSA States and World Series
The Pinellas Warriors have been on a roll: The 12-and-under travel softball team won two tournaments in May, after a pair of runner-up finishes, to qualify for two prestigious series. The 12-and-under travel softball team, the Pinellas Warriors, won two tournaments in May to qualify for two prestigious series, the National Softball Association State tourney in Polk County, and the World Series. This is the second year the Warriors have been aligned with this age group. The Warriors, based in Safety Harbor, went 5-1 in the Wilson/DeMarini Summer Championships at Clearwater in May, defeating the Spring Hill Guardians 9-1. They also finished runner-up in the United States Specialty Sports Association Spring Clash championship game at Sarasota. Coach Jason Morrison credits his team's success to shortstop Bella Morrison, third baseman Ellie Smith, and first baseman Chloe Barrie.
Publicados : 11 meses atrás por STEVE LEE, TBN Correspondent no Sports Politics
The Pinellas Warriors have been on a roll: The 12-and-under travel softball team won two tournaments in May, after a pair of runner-up finishes, to qualify for two prestigious series.
The Warriors, based in Safety Harbor, will compete in the National Softball Association State tourney that begins June 22 in Polk County. Then on July 17, they will play in the NSA World Series at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater.
This is the second year aligned in that age group. The Warriors did not participate in state competitions or the World Series last season. They won a state championship as a 10U team in 2022.
“They’re older, smarter and a little better,” coach Jason Morrison said.
The Warriors went 5-1 in the Wilson/DeMarini Summer Championships at Clearwater in mid-May. They defeated the Spring Hill Guardians 9-1 in the title game, avenging a loss in a tournament championship game to that same team in March.
In the Wilson/DeMarini final, Pinellas pitchers Scarlett Eames and A.J. Johnson combined on a four-hitter.
“Our defense won that game,” Morrison said. “They were hitting the ball, and we were making the plays.”
Stellar defense came from shortstop Bella Morrison, who snared a low blooper to start the game, along with third baseman Ellie Smith and first baseman Chloe Barrie.
Catcher Lourdes Guzman fueled the Pinellas offense with three hits, including two doubles. Kennedy Hummer drove in two runs with Reese Elam, Lauren Sas, Maddie Gould, Morrison and Barrie each contributing an RBI.
Earlier in May, Pinellas posted a 5-1 record that included a 4-2 defeat of Rock Gold Manetta from Fort Myers in the United States Specialty Sports Association Spring Clash championship game at Sarasota.
Johnson pitched all five innings, scattering five hits and striking out four with one walk. Hummer, Guzman and Smith each had two hits with an RBI. Morrison chipped in with a hit, a walk and drove in a run.
Aside from the aforementioned ballplayers, backup catcher Gianna Calhoun, who also plays some in the outfield, made some fine defensive plays during the team’s eight tourneys since the start of the travel season in January.
“She made a lot of plays throwing girls out at second base,” the coach said.
Helping out Morrison in the dugout and on the field this season have been assistants Jeremy Smith, Corey Barrie and Derek Elam.
Tópicos: World Series, NSA