Avery Participates in ASA 16U Class A Northern Nationals

A special thanks to Jeff Prentice, spokesman for the Kane County Xplosion, for providing this news release and photograph.

The Kane County Xplosion 16u team recently returned from the Class A Northern Nationals with a 3^rd place finish. 

In game one of pool play, the girls beat the Echoes Adrenaline from Omaha Neb 6-4, Offensively Lauren Zick and Emma Spagnola each had 2 hits and accounted for 3 of the runs, while Amanda Lack had a triple and Samantha Phelps added a double.   Stephanie Prentice got the win, with 5 Strikeouts.  Lauren Zick turned in the defensive play of the game with a diving catch in center field. 

Game 2 saw the girls win 14-5 over the JR. Phoenix from Wisconsin.  After falling behind 5-1, the girls put up 10 runs in the top of the 4^th to blow the game wide open.  Madeline Avery and Allison Miller were both 3 for 4, with Avery knocking in 3 runs in the 5^th with her first homer of the tournament.  Kaylee Hayton got the win.  The Orland Park A’s were the first opponent of Bracket play and after spotting them 4 runs in the first inning the girls shut them out the rest of the way for a 7-4 win.  McKenzie Bretag was 4 for 4 and Madeline Avery 3 for 4 to lead the team offensively, with Stephanie Prentice notching the win. Paige Kuefler was stellar at 3^rd base on defense.

Next up were the Wisconsin  Bandit’s Black, and in a hard fought game the girls came out on top with a 7-6 win.  After jumping out to a quick lead the girls found themselves behind 5-4 in the 5^th.  The girls were able to score 2 in the top of the 7^th to come from behind for the win.   Madeline Avery added her 2^nd home run of the tournament and was 3 for 4 while Paige Kuefler and Samantha Phelps were 2 for 4. 

Next up were the Bridgeview Redbirds, once again the girls fell behind early 4-0 after 3 innings before the bats came alive, scoring 6 runs in the last 3 innings for another come from behind win 6-5.  Samantha Phelps led the charge going 3 for 3.  On Sunday the girls came out flat for the first game and lost to the eventual champion.  Paige Kuefler notched her first home run of the tournament and Amanda Lack went head over heels for a diving fly ball. 

After dropping to the loser bracket with 3 teams remaining the girls once again faced the Bandits Black and came up one run short in the bottom of the 7^th.  The girls finished the season at 40-15-2.

Tryouts for the Kane County Xplosion are this week; interested girls should check www.kcxplosion.com for details.