Outlaws PA Premier-Mercurio 16U vs Amherst Burg Cardinals

Speed kills!! Especially in softball.

When you have the ability to get on base, move runners & manufacture runs with simple bunts, slaps and infield hits, your team has the potential to win – again & again.

The Outlaws PA Premier-Mercurio 16U team used every weapon in their arsenal en route to an 8-0 win over Amherst Burg Cardinals.

The Outlaws started their scoring in the top of the 3rd. After a pair of singles, 2nd baseman Daria Demjanjuk (Brecksville HS ’18) used her speed to set the table with a perfect bunt single that died on the 3rd baseline to load the bases.

After a wild pitch scored one run and a SAC Fly by Sarah Koscho scored another, Rachel Rousseau (University HS, WV ‘17 & Marshall commit) RBI double off the left field fence plated Demjanjuk for the third Outlaws’ run.  Rousseau later scored the 4th run on a double steal of home.  The Outlaws stole three total bases in their 4-run 3rd.

Rousseau summed up her team’s attitude and mindset in a few simple words.

“Usually, we hit really well,” said Rousseau. “It’s rare that we don’t. And it’s just about having fun basically, and we’re always cheering each other on.”
After another run in the 4th, the Outlaws tacked on 3 more runs in the 5th on RBI singles by Chelsea Bisi and Kristen Kuhrt (Walsh Jesuit HS ’19) and an RBI bunt single by Autumn Belviy (’20 Univ of Tennessee recruit).

The Outlaws offense finished the game with 13 hits (5 infield hits) and 4 stolen bases, while their combined pitching only surrendered five hits in four innings.
Rousseau added that the Ohio Outlaws Invitational is a great tournament to get noticed, but there’s other benefits too.

“Honestly, I wanna have fun, and this is where I have fun,” Rousseau said. “Even my parents say ‘I can see this is when you’re the most happiest – when you’re on the field.’ It’s really relaxing to go to a tournament every other weekend and play and have fun with the girls.

“It can be very stressful having to email all those coaches and wondering  if they’re going to be there or not. It’s very stressful.  But then it gets to the point where, alright, you’ve gotta have fun with it. You can’t be tense or you’re not going to play as well as you can.”

Michigan Finesse – Bressler vs Indiana Prospects Runge 16U

Some games, all it takes is one inning.

For the Indiana Prospects 16U team, a 4-run 4th inning was enough to propel the Prospects to a 7-3 victory over Michigan Finesse 16U.

With the game tied 2-2 in the bottom of the 4th, four of the first 5 batters reached base and scored for the Prospects - highlighted by RBI singles by Trinity Eckerty (Seccina HS, IN ’18) and Elissa Brown (Brownsburg HS, IN), along with Brown’s steal of home during a double steal.

Finesse got one run back in the top of 5th on doubles by Katherine Rex (Notre Dame Academy, OH ’19) and Erin Carter (Fenton HS, MI ’19) to cut the deficit to 6-3.

But Prospects’ Hannah LaMar (Franklin Central HS, IN ’18) finished off the scoring in dramatic fashion with a solo blast over the left field wall that saw the left fielder follow the ball through the mesh fencing.

Finesse opened the scoring in the top of the 1st on a 2-run double to the left field corner by Carsyn Stevens (Powers Catholic HS, MI ’19).

“I was hoping it was out, but I didn’t know,” said Stevens. “I was asking people how close it was, but I was just focused on getting around the bases.”  
The Prospects answered in the bottom of the 1st. After LaMar doubled, Eckerty doubled her in and later scored on an RBI single by Brown to tie the game 2-2 after one inning.

LaMar went 3-3 with 2 doubles and the solo dinger. She stated that a good attitude is key to success.

“When you’re with your best friends and you’re positive, the game comes easy,” said LaMar. “I was just trying to stay positive. I had two strike outs the first game. So I was like, ‘C’mon! I gotta get it going.’ Stay positive and work hard. It gets you everything.”

Eckerty, 2-2 with a double and 2 RBI, stated that getting back on the winning track was a good feeling.

“It was pretty good. It felt nice,” said Eckerty  “The 1st game was kinda rough because of knocking rust off from coming back from school ball. The 2nd game, I focused more, and I was ready.”

Both LaMar and Eckerty recognize the importance of the Outlaws Invitational, and they don’t want to leave any opportunities behind.

“Play your hardest, and you’ll get a scholarship,” said LaMar.  “This tournament means everything to us. It’s important (that college coaches are here). I try not to get nervous. Just keep playing your game & you’ll be fine.”

“I think it’s huge for us to get noticed because we’re right in the age of when you get noticed by colleges,” said Eckerty. “If you want to get college exposure, you should come here and just play your heart out. Don’t worry about the colleges out there. They’ll notice you. Just play like you usually do – like no one here is watching.”

Outlaws 14U Premier splits 2

Outlaws 14U Premier Vs Indiana Zephyrs

Outlaws’ catcher Autumn Acord (Keystone HS, OH ’19) went 2-2 with a pair of runs scored, while infielder McKenna Voiers (Mogadore HS, OH ’20) provided the big hit with a 3-run double in the second inning of the Outlaws 7-4 victory.

Outlaws 14U Premier Vs Ohio Emeralds 01 - 3-0 Outlaws lose

The Outlaws’ bats were stymied by Emeralds’ pitcher Sarah Cantley (Louisville HS, OH ‘19), who led the Emeralds to a 3-0 victory.

On the bump, Cantley only allowed just 3 hits, while striking out 8, including fanning the side in the 4th inning.  

Cantley was just as solid at the plate (2-3 with a pair of singles and the game-winning RBI).

Cantley mentioned that the Outlaws Invitational is a great opportunity for her team to showcase their talents and have a good time in the process.

“(When I take the mound) I just don’t think, I just have fun,” said Cantley. “(Playing in front of college coaches) is really important. We’re showing them how we are and what we’re doing and that we can play at their level.”

Acord went 1-3 with a triple and Voiers was 1-3 with a single for 2 of the Outlaws 3 hits.

Written by Kyle Goodwin