Bulls Sox Academy Take 2nd Place at USSSA 11u State Tournament

This past weekend the Bulls Sox Academy 11u fast-pitch softball team participated in the USSSA annual State Championship tournament.  The tournament was held on Saturday and Sunday in Loves Park, IL and drew teams from across the state.  After a long and hot weekend the Bulls Sox Academy team left with a second place finish.

After securing a number one seed on Saturday afternoon the team lost their first bracket play game Saturday evening.  This forced them to take the long road back to the championship round.  They accomplished this on Sunday by playing four consecutive games and winning each of them.  This placed them in the Championship round versus the Quad City Firebirds.

        The Firebirds took a 3 run lead in the top of the first inning.  Bulls Sox responded in the second with a run, followed by 3 more runs in the third to take a 4 to 3 lead.  The game went back and forth over the next few innings with the Firebirds holding a one run lead going into the 7^th inning.  By that time the heat and exhaustion had taken its toll on the Bulls Sox players.  They allowed three more runs and lost the game 9 to 5.

Coach Kathy Young commented after the game.  “The girls did an amazing job this weekend and I’m so proud of them on their achievements.  They were in it until the end and played some solid fundamental softball.  The adversity of the weather, schedule, and five games in one day did not get in their way.”

Several of the Bulls Sox players were recognized for their individual performances throughout the tournament.  This included five players being named to the All Tournament Team.  They included: Andrea Meagher, Holly Marousek, Alexandra Waterman, Hannah Kalnicky, and Alexandra Goettsch.  Additionally, Alexandra Goettsch was named Defensive Tournament MVP and Hannah Kalnicky was named Offensive Tournament MVP.

The team ended the tournament with a record of 6 wins and 2 losses, scoring 48 runs while allowing only 19.  The team is now headed to the USSSA National Championship being held in Kissimmee Florida the week of July 24^th.