By Garland Cooper

Huntington Beach, Calif. – After every game that the Sheldon (Sacremento, Calif.) High School team wins, head coach Mary Jo Truesdale gives each girl a marble.

"We are playing for all the marbles,” stated Truesdale after the team's semifinal win over Camarillo (Calif.). Sheldon, ranked No. 1 in the ESPN RISE FAB 50, defeated host Canyon (Anaheim, Calif.) 2-0 in the final.

It is a tradition that I started a long time ago, and I try and find marbles that match the colors of the school we are playing,” Truesdale said.

The girls certainly earned their marbles at the Faster to 1st National Fastpich Tournament.

	Scott Kurtz for ESPN RISE
	Sheldon High School takes the title at the Faster to 1st Tournament hosted by Canyon High School.

With teams from all over the country including Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois and New Mexico, the tournament was full of close games. In the end, almost half of the games played were determined by one run.

The championship game was not a one-run game, but it was a close one, with just one breakthrough inning for Sheldon.

After losing in the finals of the tournament last year, Sheldon had worked hard to get back to that championship game and finish what they started last year.

Cheyanne Tarango for Canyon and Jolene Henderson for Sheldon both worked to keep batters at bay, but Canyon's defense crumbled in the fourth inning and the Huskies took advantage.

It started with a lead-off double by Henderson. Dejanee Moore laid down a textbook sacrifice bunt to move the runner to third. With one out, Meme Moore hit a ground ball to the second baseman who misplayed the grounder, giving the runner at third time to score and leaving Meme Moore safe at first.

With one run on the board, Alexis Cooper stepped up to the plate for the Huskies and hit a ground ball to the shortstop who bobbled the ball and then overthrew first, allowing Meme Moore to advance to third. A passed ball in the next at-bat allowed Moore safely home.

Henderson, who did not give up a run the entire tournament, never faltered on the mound and the Sheldon defense was rock solid behind her.

"This is just great,” sTruesdale said. "These girls have elevated their play every game and have really improved. Jolene and Lindsey led the charge and playing against the best teams just made us get better and everything came together.”

With all the hype surrounding Sheldon, its No.1 ranking, a 10-0 record, and now a Faster to 1st Championship, one would think that the Huskies would be feeling quite a bit of pressure going into league. However, Truesdale says this is not the case.

"There is no pressure,” she stated. "Now we will just take a deep breath, go back and play league games and that will be our focus. All we can control is how we prepare everyday to play these games.”

Truesdale and her squad will head back to Sacarmento, but things won't get much easier for them. They will face Pleasant Grove and Rodriguez, other Faster to 1st tournament teams, later in their schedule.

With a young team, led by Tournament MVP Henderson and Lindsey Ziegenhirt, Truesdale recognized that the team needed some experience in order to ensure that they could get the crucial wins at the end of the season.

"We wanted to play the best competition this season because we knew that the younger players would get better faster. It is crucial for those players to learn and improve quickly in order for us to continue to play at a high level,” said Truesdale.

With five players on the all-tournament Team, including one freshman, Sheldon is a team with an impressive combination of pitching, defense, and offense.

Coach Truesdale, did the girls earn their marbles?

"Yes, they did!”

By Garland Cooper

Huntington Beach, Calif. - In a tournament comprised with 24 of the best teams across the country, one would think that the semifinal game would be a tight, action-packed performance.

The semifinal game between Sheldon (Sacramento, Calif.) High School and Camarillo (Calif.) High School was far from what was expected.

	Scott Kurtz for ESPN RISE
	Lindsey Ziegenhirt hit a homerun in Sheldon's semifinal win over Camarillo.

From day one, Sheldon proved to be a tough competitor and this semi-final game just solidified that fact. They beat Camarillo 8-0 in five innings to advance to the championship game.

It started early, in the bottom of the second, when freshman, Alexis Cooper, stepped up to the plate and blasted one out of the park with a runner on.

From there, the Husky bats never quieted. The next inning, in the bottom of the third, Lindsey Ziegenhirt followed in Cooper's footsteps and hit a two-run dinger to give Sheldon a big 4-0 lead.

In the fourth, Danielle Henderson almost copied Ziegenhirt and Cooper with a blast over the centerfielder's head. However, with two runners on, Camarillo's centerfielder made a catch over the fence to keep the ball in the park.

Despite the catch, the damage was done. With two runners on, they were both able to tag up and score on Henderson's long ball. This put the Huskies up 6-0 in the fourth.

The next inning Jolene Henderson led off with a double to get the Huskies rallying once again. Henderson then advanced on a wild pitch, but it wouldn't have mattered. Dejanee Moore, a constant threat at the plate, hit a double, scoring Henderson easily.

Meme Moore was the next batter for the Huskies and she made good contact off a pitch thrown by Camarillo hurler, Sarah Shadinger. A groundball was hit at the second baseman, but it was too much for her to handle, and the error allowed Dejanee Moore to score from second.

With that final run, the Huskies went ahead 8-0 and the game ended on run rule.

The Huskies scored three innings, back-to-back, and it was a complete team effort. Danielle Wiltz hit a double and was one for three, Dejanee Moore and Meme Moore were both two for three and Jolene Henderson went two for three as well.

On defense, Jolene Henderson kept the Camarillo batters at bay. Henderson, a force to be reckoned with, allowed no hits from the circle.

Mary Jo Tuesdale, Sheldon's head coach says that the explanation for their success has to do with relaxing and having a good time.

"They're just really coming together and playing loose,” she stated. "They started out just a little tight. We are somewhat inexperienced except for a couple of players, but now that they have seen what they have at this tournament, they are realizing they can play at the next level.”

It is hard to believe that this team has room to improve. They have unstoppable pitching, tight defense, and an offense that would bring fear to any pitcher. Truesdale recognizes how they have improved and will continue to improve throughout the tournament.

"We have been working out the kinks and communicating better every game,” said Truesdale.

The kinks on this team are few and far between.

By Christine Jinbo; Special to ESPN RISE Softball
 
Huntington Beach, Calif. - The Faster to 1st Nationall Tournament, hosted by Canyon (Anaheim, Calif.), featured 24 top teams from six states including Florida and Hawaii.  With the diverse field, it was Canyon and cross-town rival Esperanza (Anaheim, Calif.) in one of the championship bracket  semi-finals.
 

	Scott Kurtz for ESPN RISE
	Pitcher Cheyanne Tarango led the Canyon High School softball team to victory.

Early game hustle by Esperanza's center fielder, Kristin Scharkey, helped put the Aztecs out front early.  The senior Northwestern commit led off for the Aztecs with a base hit and showed off her wheels as she stole second on a pitch out.  She scored on a shot to left center by freshman Nicole Schroeder and scored again in the third on a stand up double by senior Kailyn Johnson, which put the Aztecs up 2-0.
 
The speedster used her quickness in the field, as she tracked down a fly in short center for a diving catch, which robbed Canyon of a base hit.
 
Quite the opposite, Canyon could not generate any momentum and left four runners stranded in the first three innings.  Canyon coach Dan Hay commented on his team's slow start.
 
"We have consistently started off slow in this tournament, but the girls gained confidence and never gave up.”
 
The Comanches heated up at the plate in the bottom of the fifth, down 2-0 with the clock ticking in the timed semi-final.  With two outs and a runner in scoring position, catcher Shannon Bustillos punched one into right for an RBI and scampered to second on the play at the plate.  
 
The rally continued as pitcher Cheyanne Tarango hit to the gap for a base hit.  With the Comanche bats steaming hot, senior shortstop Briana Gwaltney took one deep to center and Tarango was waved home.  Esperanza's Scharkey came up throwing as Bustillos scored on a bobbled ball at the plate to tie the score 2-2.
 
Esperanza coach Ed Tunstall changed pitchers as he attempted to cool down the Comanches.  With a new hurler on the mound, junior first baseman Taylor Van Acker came to the plate.  With two outs and two runs scored, Van Acker tagged one to right center for a two run double that gave the Comanches the lead, 4-2.  The rally ended on a called third strike by the base umpire on a check swing by freshman Kelly Stowe.
 
Tunstall responded to the barrage with pinch hitter, Kelsea Roth, who hit a solo homerun to center, which brought the score to 4-3.  Tarango countered by plunking the next batter.  In true Tunstall fashion, he called for a sacrifice bunt, which moved the runner to second.  
 
With one out and a runner in scoring position, Tarango sat down the next two batters with consecutive strikeouts.
 
Tarango commented on Roth's solo shot, "Kelsea Roth is a great hitter and I knew that when she came to the plate.  I guess I ended up giving her her pitch.  Give her credit for that, she's a great hitter.”
 
Up by one run in the bottom of the sixth, Hay employed clock managements tactics to ensure a trip to the finals for the Comanches.
 
"First of all, I do not think there should ever be a time limit imposed in high school softball,” said Hay.
 
"That being said, in a tournament of this size, it is necessary so that all the tournament games can be played and the tournament is able to run on time.  So, whenever we have a time limit, it is a factor and another element of the game that needs to be coached and controlled.”

By Garland Cooper

It is hard to imagine a more intense day of softball than day two, but the final day of competition did not disappoint.

In the end it was No. 1 ranked Sheldon (Sacramento, Calif.) High School who took the title, but not after several close games across the board. Below are the results from the final day of play.

	Scott Kurtz for ESPN RISE
	Sheldon High School takes it all in the finals Saturday night.

Championship Game: Sheldon 2 – Canyon 0
Jolene Henderson had 12 strikeouts in the game and gave up only two hits to shut out Canyon (Anaheim, Calif.) High School. She also was two for three at the plate with a double. Danielle Henderson was one for two. For Canyon, Briana Gwaltney was one for three with a triple. Cheyanne Tarango took the loss for Canyon. Sheldon finished the tournament undefeated and improved their record to 10-0.

Semifinal Game: Canyon 4 – Esperanza 3
Cheyanne Tarango took the win on the mound and did well offensively, getting a crucial hit to help Canyon take the lead. Briana Gwaltney had two RBIs and Taylor Van Acker hit a two-run double for the Comanches. For Esperanza (Esperanza, Calif.), Kristin Scharkey had a hit, stolen base, and scored a run. Nicole Schroder had an RBI and Kelsea Roth hit a solor homerun.

Semifinal Game: Sheldon 8 – Camarillo 0
Jolene Henderson pitched a no-hitter and was two for three at the plate and hit a double off the fence. Danielle Wiltz was one for three with a double and Lindsey Ziegenhirt was one for three with a homerun and two RBIs. Dejanee Moore was two for three with a double, Meme Moore was two for three and Alexis Cooper was one for three with a two-run homerun.

Third Place: Esperanza 4 – Camarillo 3
Kailyn Johnson hit a homerun for Esperanza. Kelsea Roth and Alexis Borden split time on the mound. Jennifer Manuel was in the circle for Camarillo.

Consolation Champion: Vista Murrieta 11 – St. Francis 2
It was a team effort at the plate for Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif.) in the win. For St. Francis (Honolulu, Hawaii), catcher Briana Tovio-Asato hit a two-run homerun in the top of the first inning.

Freedom 7 – Pleasant Grove 0
Hannah Williams was the winning pitcher for Freedom (Oakley, Calif.) and she recorded 14 Ks in her final game of the tournament.

El Modena 4 - Rodriguez 3
Haylie White took the win for El Modena (Orange, Calif.). For Rodriguez (Fairfield, Calif.), Andrinae White was two for three with a triple and two RBIs. Alexis Pickett was two for three with an RBI.

Norco 1 – El Toro 0
Teagan Gerhart had 13 strikeouts and gave up only two hits for Norco (Calif.). She also hit a homerun to win the game.

Carl Sandburg 3 – Sunnyslope 1
Morgan Biel went three for three with two singles, a double and an RBI for Carl Sandburg (Orland Park, Calif.).

Valencia 2 – Pacifica 1
Both teams scored a run in the first inning and the game came to a standstill until the sixth when Valencia pushed one across to seal the win.

Ayala 5 – Hart 4
Pitcher Jessica Hall picked up her third win of the season and went two for three at the plate. Nikki Chavez was two for three as well with two RBIs. Nani St. Germainwas one for three with two RBIs ad Natalie Martinez went two for three and scored two runs.

Sunrise Mountain 4 – West Orange 1
Sunrise Mountain (Peoria, Ariz.) pitcher Dani Bonnet had two hits and eight strikeouts in the game. Destinee Deherrera went two for three with a double and a homerun.

Vista Murrieta 6 – Sunnyslope 0
Vista Murrieta started to warm up the bats in the last day of the tournament. They started early, scoring a run in the first inning. They rallied in the fourth to score two and then again in the fifth to plate 3.

Piedra Vista 2 – Simi Valley 3
Pitcher Jennifer Soria picked up her first win of the season for Simi Valley (Calif.). Third baseman Callie Grant had three clutch line drive catches to help on defense.

Carl Sandburg 2 – St. Francis 3
Carl Sandburg was up 2-1 until the fifth when St. Francis scored two to go ahead and take the win.

Pleasant Grove 4 – Rodriguez 2
Ally Carda pitched for Pleasant Grove and gave up only two hits and struck out 12. She also was one for two with a homerun. Kristen Willmon had a RBI double in the bottom of the sixth to tie up the game and Allison Kendrix hit a single to plate two runs and give Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove, Calif.) the lead. For Rodriguez, Kiara Garcia was one for four and Alexis Pickett was one for two.

Freedom 2 – El Modena 1
Hannah Williams had six Ks on the win. Susan Robertson squeezed in the sixth to tie the game. Katie Wood hit the game-winning double with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.

El Toro 3 – Valencia 2
Emily Waters took the win on the mound for El Toro (lake Forest, Calif.). Lauren Chamberlain hit a walk-off homerun for El Toro and Brooke Bell was three for three and scored a run. Christy Roberts was two for three and also scored a run in the win.

Cienega 4 - Simi Valley 0
Cienega (Vail, Ariz.) scored all four of their runs in the first inning,  which proved to be enough to take the win. Amanda Oliveto took the loss on the mound.

Norco 4 - Pacifica 0
Teagan Gerhart  threw a no-hitter and was also three for three at the plate.

Hart 3 - Sunrise Mountain 2
This was a close one until the end. In the eighth inning, Hart (Newhall, Calif.) was able to push two to go ahead and take the win.

Chino 1 - Piedra Vista 0
One run in the third inning was all it took for Chino to take the win over Piedra Vista.

Ayala 5 – West Orange 1
Jessica Hall picked up her eighth win on the season and struck out six. She also doubled in a run in the fifth. Amy Ricciardi picked up an RBI on a squeeze in the third and doubled in a run in the fifth.

***********************

 

	Scott Kurtz for ESPN RISE
	Tournament MVP, Jolene Henderson.

2009 Faster to 1st All Tournament Team
Jolene Henderson – P - Sheldon High School - Tournament MVP
Danielle Henderson – 3B – Sheldon High School
Lindsey Ziegenhirt – C – Sheldon High School
Danielle Wiltz – CF – Sheldon High School
Dejanee Moore – 2B – Sheldon High School
Cheyanne Tarango – P – Canyon High School
Shannon Bustillos – C – Canyon High School
Taylor Van Acker – 1B – Canyon High School
Briana Gwaltney – SS – Canyon High School
Kailyn Johnson – 1B – Esperanza High School
Kristin Scharkey – CF – Esperanza High School
AC Borden – P – Esperanza High School
Jennifer Manuel – P – Camarillo High School
Sarah Shadinger – P – Camarillo High School
Hannah Williams – P – Freedom High School
Ally Carda – P – Pleasant Grove High School
Haylie Wagner – P – El Modena High School
Teanna Brooks – 3B – Rodriguez High School
Teagan Gerhart – P – Norco High School
Briana Tovio-Asato – C – St. Francis High School
Madison Shipman – SS – Valencia High School
Brooke Bell – OF – El Toro High School
Alexis Villamor – OF – Vista Murrieta High School

Faster to 1st W/L Records
Sheldon: 5-0
Canyon: 4-1
Esperanza: 4-1    
Camarillo: 3-2    
Freedom: 4-1
Pleasant Grove: 3-2
El Modena: 3-2
Rodriguez: 1-4
Norco:  4-1
Vista Murrieta:  3-2

Remaining W/L Records:
St Francis: 2-3
El Toro: 2-3        
Valencia: 3-2        
Pacifica: 2-3        
Ayala: 3-2    
Hart: 3-2    
West Orange:1-4        
Sunrise Mountain: 2-3
Carl Sandburg: 3-2  
Sunnyslope: 1-4
Cienega: 2-3  
Piedra Vista: 2-3
Chino: 1-4      
Simi Valley: 1-4   


Email: garland@studentsports.com with questions and comments!