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2013

18U Carolina Cardinals Bring Home ASA National Championship
By Maria Garcia

(reprinted with permission, © Softball Today Magazine)


Salem, VA. --- The 18U Carolina Cardinals, a North Carolina-based fast pitch team, captured the ASA/USA 18U National Championship on August 4, as the ASA National tournament was hosted by the City of Salem, Virginia.

In a field of 89 of the top 18U programs in the nation the Cardinals stood victorious with a perfect 7-0 record on their way to winning the coveted National Championship. The ASA/USA 18U fast pitch national champions were coached by Rick McHone and assistant coaches Mike Calloway, Vic Scott and Jamie Harris.

“It is such an honor to be associated with the first North Carolina team to win the ASA/USA 18U National Tournament,” Said Cardinals coach Rick McHone. “The kids were nothing short of awesome in their performance in this tournament.”

In a field of 89 of the top 18U programs in the nation the Cardinals stood victorious with a perfect 7-0 record on their way to winning the coveted National Championship. The ASA/USA 18U fast pitch national champions were coached by Rick McHone and assistant coaches Mike Calloway, Vic Scott and Jamie Harris.

“It is such an honor to be associated with the first North Carolina team to win the ASA/USA 18U National Tournament,” Said Cardinals coach Rick McHone. “The kids were nothing short of awesome in their performance in this tournament.”

The Cardinals were loaded with a abundance of talented players such as Kiersten Berrier, Ashley Best, Destiny DeBerry, Bailey Bjorson, Madison Carter, Sarah Davis, Lacey Fox, Christiana Gable, Meredith Harris, Ashlea Hunter, Brea Lawson, Tara Loken, Aquilla “Kiwi” Mateen, Haley Pace, Lexi Shubert, Haley Stewart, Taylor Wike, Katie Williford, Logan Wood, Mellena Helms and Taylor Woods.

In pool play the Cardinals went 2-0 by outscoring their opponents 20-3. The first pool game victory was pitched by Katie Williford. While Williford pitched a tremendous game her teammate Haley Stewart did a masterful job at the plate to advance runners into scoring position. The Cardinals went on to beat the IN. Gators 10-3. In their second pool game they outscored the TX. Diamonds 5-0.

In their first tournament double elimination game the Cardinals defeated the Illinois Team Oak Stars 7-3. Cardinal pitcher Lacey Fox started the game off with Lexi Shubert later entering the game in relief. Offensively, Ashley Best went 1 for 1 with Haley Pace and Kiersten Berrier hitting 1 for 2 while Christina Gable was 1 for 3 for the victory. Left fielder Ashlea Hunter made a great catch on a fly ball to left to give her pitcher a pivotal out.

In game two the Cardinals defeated the Clearwater Lady Bombers from Florida by the score of 4-1. Cardinal pitcher Lexi Shubert pitched an outstanding game for the Cardinals as she earned 8 strikeouts. Destiny DeBerry was 2 for 3, Taylor Wike went 1 for 3 starting the game off with a double in the first inning.

In their next outing the Cardinals out hit and out pitched the Huntsville Sparks from Alabama. Davis pitched for the Cardinals with Bjorson behind the plate as the Cards came out on top with a 7-0 victory. Offensively, Logan Wood was 1 for 1 in the game while teammate Bailey Bjorson went 2 for 3 including a home run in the 3rd inning. Haley Pace continued to hit the cover off the ball as she hit 3 for 3 on the game. Destiny DeBerry and Mellena Helms went 1 for 2 with teammate Madison Carter hitting 1 for 2. Defensively Brea Lawson played stellar defense.

In their fourth game the Cardinals outscored the Tennessee Fury 5-1. Lexi Shubert did an outstanding job in the. circle as she earned 9 strikeouts and Cardinals catcher Ashley Best caught another outstanding game. Offensively, Taylor Wike led the charge with a 3 for 4 plate performance. Aquilla “Kiwi” Mateen, Madison Carter, Tara Loken and Bailey Bjorson each went 1 for 2 to spark the victory.

On Saturday the Cardinals played two games, the first was a great matchup against Kentucky Magic. This game turned out to be a 11 inning marathon. Cardinal pitcher Sarah Davis took the mound for the Cardinals as catcher Bailey Bjorson did a outstanding job behind the plate. Neither team managed to score until the eighth inning when the Magic scored two runs in the top of the inning.

In the bottom of the eighth inning Destiny DeBerry and Kiersten Berrier crossed the plate for the Cardinals to tie the score. Neither team scored in the ninth inning. The Magic scored one run in the top of the tenth inning and the Cardinals answered back by scoring one run in the bottom of the tenth inning to tie the score again. The Magic left one runner on in the top of the 11th inning but failed to score. The Cardinals scored one run in the bottom of the 11th inning to win the game 4-3.

The second game on Saturday was the finals of the winners bracket. The Cardinals squared off against Sports Connection of Pennsylvania. Lexi Shubert took the mound for the Cardinals and Ashley Best took charge behind the plate. Shubert pitched another great game as she held her opponents scoreless in a 4-0 victory. Offensively Aquilla “Kiwi” Mateen led the team with a 4 for 4 performance. Meredith Harris was 1 for 1 while teammates Taylor Wike and Destiny DeBerry were each 1 for 2.

In the championship game the Cardinals again faced Pennsylvania’s Sports Connection with the ASA National title on the line. Sports Connection drew first blood as they scored a run in the first inning. However, with the National championship on the line the Cardinals stormed back with three runs of their own in the top of the fourth and to seal the deal they scored once more in the top of the fifth inning as they went on to win the game 4-1. 
Cardinal pitcher Lexi Shubert was a workhorse on the mound in the championship game. Shubert allowed no earned runs, three hits and one walk while striking out five over seven innings of work.

The Cardinals held Sports Connection scoreless as the game ended with the Cardinals winning 4-1. Aquilla “Kiwi” Mateen lead all hitters with a 3 for 4 plate performance while Bailey Bjorson was 2 for 4 and teammates Haley Pace and Ashley Best went 1 for 4.

"I could not be prouder of this group of special athletes," Said Cardinals coach Rick McHone. " I also would like to make mention of one of my injured players Taylor Woods, she played for us last season and was supposed to play this year. She was not on our roster for 2013 due to a severely broken leg she suffered the second week of the high school season. She is still considered a very special part of our team."