Monday was the first day of competition in Oklahoma City for the ASA/USA 18U GOLD Nationals and several teams established themselves as ones to beat with wins.

Here are the undefeated teams after Day 1 and a highlight performance from each of those that played two games:

 

***

 

Texas Bombers Gold HTX (2-0-0)
The Bombers had a narrow win and a blowout as they topped Florida Storm 2-1 and Georgia Force-Dingler 11-0. Pitcher Randi Rupp (2014, Texas State) pitched a complete game three-hitter and struck out eight in the win over Florida Storm.

Oklahoma Diamond Girls Gold (2-0-0)
The Diamond Girls won their two games by a combined score of 15-2 with a 7-2 victory over the Delaware Cobras and an 8-0 blanking of Angels Gold. Infielder Laurie Derrico (2015, Wichita State) was the hitting star in the in the second game, going 3-for-3 with a double and three RBI.

Wichita Mustangs 18 Gold (2-0-0)
In an odd coincidence, the Mustangs won each of their two wins on Monday by a “touchdown,” beating both the Texas Sting and the Louisiana Voodoo-Barksdale 7-0. Coach Mark Griggs team put up runs in each of the first five innings of the first game and pitcher Sydney Smith (2015, LSU) didn’t allow a hit in her four innings while she struck out six. Allison Walljasper (2014, LSU) pitched the final three innings giving up one hit while striking out four.

Strikeforce Softball 18 Gold (2-0-0)
Strikeforce’s offense was the key in the first day wins as the Southern Cali. team defeated RBA West 6-1 and the Oregon Panthers 14-3. In the second game, leadoff hitter Jamiana Gateb went 3-for-5 with two RBI and Brianna Fickes hit a three run homer and Strikeforce pushed eight runs across in the sixth to blow open the game.

Beverly Bandits DeMarini (2-0-0)
The Bandits’ pitching was strong on Monday as one of the favorites for the Nationals topped the St. Louis Gamers 8-1 in the first game as Taran Alvelo (2015, Washington) struck out 10 while allowing only two hits and a walk over four innings. In the second game the Bandits beat the Texas Rapid Fire Gold 6-1 and Alvelo showed her skills on offense hitting a fifth inning home run.

Richmond Ruckus (2-0-0)
The Ruckus broke open a tight game against the Texas Aces by scoring four in the sixth to win 4-1 in the opening game and came back in the second win to top All-American Mizuno 5-4. Allie Lapallo pitched a great game in the opener, allowing only two hits and one earned run over six innings.

Gators Gold Flannery (2-0-0)
The Gators Gold beat the Philadelphia Spirit Gold 6-4 and Arizona Hotshots-Davis 5-3, but had to come from behind in both games to notch the victories. Kelsie Huff hit a three-run triple in the sixth that proved to be the difference.

Lil Rebels 96 (2-0-0)
The Rebels won the first game 5-4 over the Angels Gold and then won more comfortably in the second contest 9-3 over the Delaware Cobras as they scored five runs in the second and three in the third to blow the game open. Infielder Melissa Lacro (2014, Harvard) had a two-run double as part of her five RBI night.

American Pastime Gold (2-0-0)
Coach Larry Farnworth, who’s in his 25^th year with the Pastime, enjoyed two opening day wins as the Pastime beat Louisiana Voodoo-Barksdale 5-2 and the Texas Sting 18-0 in a five-inning game. Krystall Padilla and Alexis Sullivan each had three RBI in the big win.

St. Louis Esprit – Heifner (2-0-0)
The Esprit beat the Sneaky Cleats Gold 5-0 and the Georgia Knockouts 7-3 to also make it to 2-0 on Monday. Haley Thogmartin gave up four hits over seven innings and struck out seven in the shutout win in the opener.

Atlanta Vipers- Loveless (2-0-0)
The Vipers benefited from strong pitching Monday to win two close games, a 2-1 victory over AZ Hotshots-Davis and a come-from-behind 5-2 win over Philadelphia Spirit. Pitcher Savannah McHellon (2014, Georgia) was the star of the first game, scattering three hits and striking out five while allowing only one earned run.

 

TEAMS THAT WENT 1-0-1:
Blue Angels Gold
Washington Explosion 18 Gold
Austin Storm

TEAMS THAT WENT 1-0-0:
Polar Crush
Oklahoma Exclusive 18 Gold
Wagners / 3N2
Tulsa Elite Gold 96
Wagners Gold Dunn
Texas Sudden Impact Gold-Dutton
DBAT Tulsa Shootout Gold
Louisiana Patriots Gold
STL Academy Gold
Heartbreakers Gold
Arkansas Heat Gold
Louisiana Voodoo – Brignac