Schools
Firestorm Are 2012 Storm Invitational Champions
The CLCF U12 Firestorm Fast Pitch Softball team won the 2012 Storm Invitational, recently hosted by CLCF GALS Softball. In the U10 division, CLCF Storm captured the second place price. The U10 Tsunami and U12 Storm girls also played well, both placing 5th
CLCF Fast Pitch Softball should be very proud of their performance during their recent 2012 Storm Invitational tournament, hosted by CLCF at the Brayton Avenue complex in Cranston. The GALS teams entered four teams, two each in U10 and U12 divisions, walking away with two fifth place, one second place and a championship trophy.
The Under-12 Firestorm team took the title against a very tough competitor in the South County Sea Devils, avenging a loss to them in pool-play a day prior. The trophy required contributions from each of the ten young Firestorm ladies: Cam Ricci took the mound in each game with Dee Carmody catching; Alex Corcoran, Amber Pinhiero, Makenzie Richards, Rylie Bessette, Marissa Cushman, Victoria Leyden, Kelly Lambrese and Erin Dillon all represented CLCF with class and style. In the semi-finals, Firestorm rallied from a 4-0 deficit to defeat a solid Coventry team 6-4, leading to the 9-4 victory over South County in the finale. Clutch hitting, error-free defense, aggessive baserunning and a sizzling battery led the total team effort.
The U10 Storm girls also showcased their skills in the tournament by laying seige to the 2nd place trophy versus Coventry. Coventry boasts one of the states finest pitchers, proving too much for Storm in the 13-1 loss. Storm showed their dominance over the rest of the field, easily earning the birth to the finals.
Fate showed a sense of humor as both the U10 and U12 divisions had CLCF teams pitted against one another. Both of the more experienced teams won their games, landing each of the sister teams with fifth place finishes. the U10 Tsunami girls played really well, going 2-1 in pool play before losing to the U10 Storm kids. The Under-12 Storm girls also played a wonderful tournament before Firestorm handed them their final loss, resulting in the other fifth place finish.
Highlighting the tournament was the presentation of MVP pins after each game, the winner selected and presented by the opposing team... it was a very nice touch. Congratulations to the U12 homerun champion Lopes, of East Providence and Lavigne, the U10 champion from Coventry.
The Storm Invitational Softball tournament was a huge success! 17 teams enjoyed a wonderful atmosphere at a great softball facility that was well prepared by the host teams, parents and the tireless effort of Tom Manzi in field preparation. A big thanks to CLCF GALS officers, concession stand volunteers and all the teams that make this one of the finest tournaments in the state of Rhode Island.
These and more photos can be found on www.CranstonSports.com, dedicated to the youth sports of Cranston, RI.
