Quick Adjustment to High School Level Competition

Bladen Starz ladies played up in a high school tournament yesterday and showed incredible grit and determination! In the final, we battled against a solid team and came up just one run short in an exciting finish.

Tournament Recap

Game 1 vs NC336 HS (L 9-1)

Big Third Inning Leads NC336 HS Past Bladen Starz 16U

By GameChanger Media

NC336 HS defeated Bladen Starz 16U 9-1 on Saturday at Greater Cleveland Athletic Association thanks in part to five runs in the third inning.

Bladen Starz 16U got on the board in the first inning after Serenity Schmieder singled, scoring one run.

NC336 HS captured the lead, 4-1, in the top of the second when Audrey Nelson (2027) singled, scoring two runs, Baylee Ayers (2027) singled, scoring one run, and Kennady Cagno (2027) scored after tagging up.

NC336 HS added to their early lead in the top of the third inning after Maddie Groce (2027) tripled down the left field line, Bladen Starz 16U committed an error, Cagno (2027) doubled to center field, Katie Parker (2028) doubled to right field, and Bladen Starz 16U committed an error, each scoring one run.

Ayers (2027) earned the win for NC336 HS. The starter allowed four hits and one run over two innings, striking out one and walking two. Breelyn Peed took the loss for Bladen Starz 16U. The starting pitcher went two innings, surrendering four runs on four hits, striking out five and walking one. Parker (2028) earned the save.

Schmieder led Bladen Starz 16U with one run batted in. The right-handed hitter went 1-for-1 on the day. Schmieder, Abigail Dew, Ashlyn King, and Grace Foisy each collected one hit for Bladen Starz 16U.

NC336 HS amassed eight hits in the game. Nelson (2027) led NC336 HS with two runs batted in from the number nine spot in the lineup. The right-handed hitter went 1-for-2 on the day. Aaliyah Long (2028), Michaela Pegram (2026), Groce (2027), Adison Johnson (2029), Cagno (2027), Ayers (2027), Parker (2028), and Nelson (2027) each collected one hit for NC336 HS. Long (2028) stole two bases. NC336 HS turned one double play in the game. NC336 HS didn’t commit a single error in the field. Cagno (2027) had the most chances in the field with three.

Bladen Starz 16U will travel to TopHand STORM Powell 16U for their next game on Saturday.

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Game 2 vs TopHand STORM Powell 16U (L 12-1)

Bladen Starz 16U Fall After Strong Showing By TopHand STORM Powell 16U

By GameChanger Media

Bladen Starz 16U couldn’t keep up with TopHand STORM Powell 16U and fell 12-1 on Saturday at Greater Cleveland Athletic Association.

TopHand STORM Powell 16U were the first to get on the board in the first when Layla Weaver (27) grounded out, scoring one run.

TopHand STORM Powell 16U added to their early lead in the top of the second inning after Riley Willis (27) singled to left field, Chmiyah doubled down the left field line, and Caylen Jackson (28) singled to center field, each scoring one run.

TopHand STORM Powell 16U added to their early lead in the top of the third inning after Chaisley Snodgrass (27) singled down the left field line, and Bladen Starz 16U committed an error, each scoring one run.

TopHand STORM Powell 16U scored six runs on three hits in the top of the fourth inning. Avery Griffin (28) singled, scoring one run, Weaver (27) drew a walk, scoring one run, Ta’Daesya Shelton (28) doubled, scoring three runs, and Snodgrass (27) grounded out, scoring one run.

Griffin (28) earned the win for TopHand STORM Powell 16U. The right-handed pitcher gave up one hit and zero runs over two innings, striking out five and walking none. Ashlyn King took the loss for Bladen Starz 16U. The right-handed pitcher went two innings, allowing four runs on six hits, striking out none and walking none. Snodgrass (27) earned the save.

Grace Foisy led Bladen Starz 16U with one run batted in. Kimberlin Barnes led Bladen Starz 16U with one hit in two at bats. Bladen Starz 16U turned one double play in the game.

TopHand STORM Powell 16U accumulated 10 hits in the game. Shelton (28) provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led TopHand STORM Powell 16U with three runs batted in. The cleanup hitter went 2-for-2 on the day. Griffin (28), Shelton (28), and Chmiyah each collected two hits for TopHand STORM Powell 16U. Weaver (27) paced TopHand STORM Powell 16U with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, amassing six walks for the game. Shelton (28) stole two bases. TopHand STORM Powell 16U didn’t commit a single error in the field. Weaver (27) had the most chances in the field with six.

We had a slow start to the morning, but the girls fueled up and came out strong in Game 3—taking down the #1 seed in the first bracket game. They carried that momentum into Game 4 with another hard-fought win, sending us straight to the championship game.

Game 3 vs 419 Fastpitch 16U (W 8-3)

Bladen Starz 16U Defeat 419 Fastpitch 16U

By GameChanger Media

Bladen Starz 16U were triumphant over 419 Fastpitch 16U 8-3 on Saturday.

Bladen Starz 16U jumped out to the lead in the top of the second inning after Bella Griffin drew a walk, scoring one run, Breelyn Peed singled, scoring two runs, Grace Foisy tripled, scoring two runs, and Ashlyn King singled, scoring one run.

Bladen Starz 16U added to their early lead in the top of the third inning after Hayley Gantt singled to center field, and Peyton Hagans grounded out, each scoring one run.

Peed earned the win for Bladen Starz 16U. The starting pitcher surrendered two hits and one run (zero earned) over two innings, striking out five and walking none. Ava Cathcart took the loss for 419 Fastpitch 16U. The pitcher went two innings, giving up six runs on seven hits, striking out two and walking two. King collected the save.

Bladen Starz 16U collected 10 hits in the game. Peed and Foisy were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each drove in two runs for Bladen Starz 16U. King went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead Bladen Starz 16U in hits. Kimberlin Barnes and Gantt each collected multiple hits for Bladen Starz 16U.

Haylee Dudley drove the middle of the lineup, leading 419 Fastpitch 16U with two runs batted in. The cleanup hitter went 1-for-2 on the day. Anna Autry, Sophie Caston, Dudley, and Kourtnie Ribar each collected one hit for 419 Fastpitch 16U. 419 Fastpitch 16U didn’t commit a single error in the field. Kyleigh Eason had the most chances in the field with five.

We are so proud of these girls for pushing through a tough morning, overcoming obstacles, and playing phenomenal softball in the afternoon. The growth, energy, and teamwork on display make us excited for what’s ahead.

Game 4 vs NC Blackhawks National 16U (W 4-2)

Bladen Starz 16U Captures Lead Late In Victory Over NC Blackhawks National 16U

By GameChanger Media

Bladen Starz 16U topped NC Blackhawks National 16U 4-2 on Saturday after taking the lead late in the game. The game was tied at two in the top of the third when Abigail DiCicco doubled, scoring two runs.

NC Blackhawks National 16U got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Haydynn Lowery doubled down the left field line, and Zoey was struck by a pitch, each scoring one run.

Bladen Starz 16U jumped back into the lead in the top of the third inning after Kimberlin Barnes singled down the right field line, and DiCicco doubled down the left field line, each scoring two runs.

Breelyn Peed earned the win for Bladen Starz 16U. The hurler gave up one hit and zero runs over three innings, striking out six and walking none. Lowery took the loss for NC Blackhawks National 16U. The right-handed pitcher went one and two-thirds innings, allowing one run on three hits, striking out two and walking two. Ashlyn King stepped in the circle first for Bladen Starz 16U. The starting pitcher allowed two hits and two runs (one earned) over one inning, striking out none and walking none. Zoey opened the game for NC Blackhawks National 16U. The pitcher gave up one hit and three runs over two and one-third innings, striking out six and walking five.

Peed led Bladen Starz 16U with two hits in two at bats from the leadoff position. Barnes and DiCicco each drove in two runs for Bladen Starz 16U. Peyton Hagans led Bladen Starz 16U with two walks. Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, tallying seven walks for the game. Bladen Starz 16U turned two double plays in the game.

Lowery led NC Blackhawks National 16U with one run batted in. The catcher went 1-for-2 on the day. Neavah led NC Blackhawks National 16U with two hits in two at bats from the leadoff position. Angel Purcell stole three bases. NC Blackhawks National 16U didn’t commit a single error in the field. Lowery had the most chances in the field with seven.

Game 5 vs Carolina Elite Johnson 16U (L 4-3)

Bladen Starz 16U Come Up Short Against Carolina Elite Johnson 16U

By GameChanger Media

Bladen Starz 16U could not keep up with Carolina Elite Johnson 16U 4-3 on Saturday.

Carolina Elite Johnson 16U opened the scoring in the second after Ava Claire Clark scored after tagging up.

Serenity Schmieder singled to center field, which helped Bladen Starz 16U tie the game at one in the top of the third.

In the top of the fourth inning, Bladen Starz 16U went back into the lead after Abigail Dew singled to left field, and Peyton Hagans grounded out, each scoring one run.

Carolina Elite Johnson 16U tied the game in the bottom of the fourth thanks to an error, and a triple by Arianna Cappiello.

Danielle Pate earned the win for Carolina Elite Johnson 16U. The righty allowed one hit and zero runs over one inning, striking out none and walking none. Breelyn Peed took the loss for Bladen Starz 16U. The hurler went one and two-thirds innings, giving up three runs (one earned) on two hits, striking out four and walking none. Ashlyn King stepped in the circle first for Bladen Starz 16U. The hurler surrendered three hits and one run over one and two-thirds innings, striking out one and walking one. Alex Johnson opened the game for Carolina Elite Johnson 16U. The hurler allowed two hits and three runs over three innings, striking out four and walking five.

Schmieder, Dew, and Hagans each drove in one run for Bladen Starz 16U. Kimberlin Barnes paced Bladen Starz 16U with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, accumulating five walks for the game.

Cappiello and Logan Slabaugh each drove in one run for Carolina Elite Johnson 16U. Clark went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead Carolina Elite Johnson 16U in hits. Carolina Elite Johnson 16U didn’t commit a single error in the field. Rylee Welch had the most chances in the field with four.