Heat put together five-game win streak in Oklahoma City
After finishing 5-2 over the weekend in Oklahoma City, Hollister will be sending its first ever 12U “A” team to the Nationals to play against the top 60 teams in the nation.
Last year, the 12U “B” team finished third in the nation. There are three returners from that team.
Although the Heat lost their first game of the Hall of Fame National Qualifier, they won their next five games to finish in fifth place. Sarah Solis and Marisa Ibarra were strong on the mound the whole tournament.
With the team’s third pitcher Mary Hernandez unable to make the trip, the two combined for 48 innings of work.
“To have to play that many games with two girls, it was big for them to step up,” said manager Todd Freitas.
The Heat won all four their games on Saturday. Freitas attributes the team’s success to being able to do the little things.
Texas Impact Tanel 3, Heat 0
The first game stumble came against the No. 1 team out of Texas, the Impact Tanel.
With their ace pitcher reaching speeds of 63 mph, the Heat was shut out 3-0. On the mound, Ibarra didn’t allow any earned runs. But the Heat had just three girls reach base. Kelsey Russell and Courtney Scarlett had walks, and Vanessa Farias was hit by a pitch.
Heat 5, Texas Glory 0
The Heat’s second game was played on the Hall of Fame Stadium Field – the same field used by the College World Series.
Solis threw a complete game shutout for the victory against the Texas Glory. The Heat did all of its damage in the fourth inning.
Chelsea Freitas walked, Kourtney Kientzy singled and Ibarra drove in Freitas with a single. Crystal Perreira singled, and Vanessa Santoya added a two-out single to finish the scoring.
Heat 3, Arizona Hot Shots 1
On Saturday morning, the Heat played the Arizona Hot Shots. Ibarra threw a complete game in the victory. Hollister scored all of its runs in the first inning.
J.C. Clayton and Freitas led off the inning with bunt singles, and Kientzy laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third. Bre Fata and Scarlett each had two-out base hits to drive in three runs.
Heat 2, Oklahoma Diamonds 0
The Heat needed three wins in a row to not only qualify but also to play on Sunday. After a four-hour break, the Heat faced the Oklahoma Diamonds. Solis took the ball for the Heat and pitched a complete game shutout with five strikeouts.
In the fifth, Scarlett led off with a single. Kelsey Russell followed with a sacrifice bunt. And Clayton hit a two-out double to score Scarlett.
The Heat added an insurance run in the top of the seventh. Fata reached on an error, and Scarlett moved her up with a sacrifice bunt. After a passed ball, Santoya walked and continued to second. On the throw to second, Fata slid in safe for the second run.
Heat 4, Illinois Orland Park Sparks 1 8 innings
With a 4-1 win in eight innings, the Heat secured an eighth-place and a trip to for Nationals.
Solis started and went the first five innings, giving up one run. The Heat tied the game at one in the top of the second inning. Scarlett was hit by a pitch and stole second, and Santoya singled to drive in ScarIn.
In the eighth with the international tie breaker in affect, the Heat erupted for three runs.
Vanessa Farias moved Santoya to third with a bunt single. Clayton was intentionally walked to load the bases, and Freitas worked a walk to score Santoya.
With two outs after the Sparks turned a double play, Ibarra doubled down the line to score Farias and Clayton. Ibarra pitched the final three innings, striking out three of the four batters she faced.
Heat 2, Arizona Hot Shots 1
The last game on Saturday was against the Arizona Hot Shots (a different team than previously). Ibarra pitched a complete game for another win for the Heat.
Wasting no time, the Hot Shots scored in the top of the first. Perreira walked and was bunted over by Russell. Clayton singled, and Perreira scored off of Freitas’ ground ball to second.
With the score tied in the bottom of the seventh, Clayton hit a single off the third base. Freitas moved her with a sacrifice bunt.
Everyone was safe on Kientzy’s infield single, and Ibarra came up big again with a hit to right center to score Clayton for the winning run.
The Heat were eliminated in the final game by the San Jose Sting on Sunday.
The Nationals will be Aug. 2-8 in Moline, Ill. California was well represented last weekend with three teams in the top five in the 24-team tourney.
The West Bay Nuggets finished in first place, the Texas Impact Tanel finished second, the San Jose Sting finished third and the Atlanta Vipers came in fourth.
Anyone interested in helping with the Nationals should send checks to the Hollister Heat at 855 Valley Oak Court in Hollister. Details: Call Freitas at 636-0789.
