USA Softball JO CupJul 30, 2016 by FloSoftball Staff
USA JO CUP 16U Recap
USA JO CUP 16U Recap
USA JO CUP 16U Recap St. Louis Chaos vs. Atlanta Vipers 16UThe Atlanta Vipers made a statement in its 8-0 win versus the St. Louis
By Isaac Goodwin
Photos by Adam Hagy/USA TODAY
Adia Polk then hit a three-run homer to left to give Atlanta an early 3-0 lead. Vipers starting pitcher Kayla Royter doubled on the very next pitch and later scored after Brianna Butler hit a two-run homer to center. The Vipers bats were unstoppable in the inning, as they got out to an insurmountable 5-0 lead.
Atlanta would stay hot in the second inning, when Vetula laid down another perfect bunt for a single after Echols was hit-by-pitch. She then stole second on the very next pitch to put them both in scoring position for the second consecutive inning. Polk would strike out this time around, but Royter crushed a three-run homer of her own extending the lead to 8-0.
Royter was also dominant on mound for the Vipers. She allowed just three hits and walked one, while striking out seven in the victory.
The Chaos had minimal chances throughout the game, and the game was called to the Mercy Rule after they couldn't manufacture a run through five innings.
The Vipers continued to hit the ball well, but failed to drive in more runs.
Atlanta advanced in an impressive win, 8-0.
They were led by pitcher Brianna Butler in the victory.
Butler established herself on the mound in the early innings mixing her fastballs and breaking balls well. She recorded five strikeouts and allowed five hits.
The Victory had a chance to cut the deficit in the fourth inning, after a leadoff double by Annie Moore, but they failed to manufacture any runs.
Vetula earned her way on base again after drawing a walk and then stole second and third base on consecutive pitches. Polk drew a walk bringing up Poyter to bat. She connected on an offspeed to deep right scoring Vetula to put the Vipers up 5-0. Maddie Billings hits an RBI-double on the very next pitch extending Atlanta's lead to 6-0. Loparo hit a third consecutive hit scoring Billings and the Vipers were up big time, 7-0 heading into the sixth.
The chances for the Victory were slim throughout as Butler continued to pitch well. Olivia Biles lead off the sixth for Atlanta with a double and later scored on a Polk two RBI-double extending the Vipers lead to 9-0.
They closed the game out in the bottom half and advanced with another mercy rule win.
Rhylee Mcgeeley hit a leadoff single in the second inning and later scored on a Jolie Fish RBI-double. The Elite scored the first run of the game taking a 1-0 lead on the play.
The Bullets were held in check early on by Tulsa pitching Kaylee Anderson, as the the extended its lead in the second on a Paige Knight RBI-single scoring Samantha Ibison.
Leea Hanks, a Notre Dame commit, finally was able to get the Bullets offense going with a triple in the third inning. Arielle Oda hit a successful bunt single advancing Hanks to third setting up Kassidy Krupit - who hit a clutch two RBI-double on an 0-2 pitch to tie the game at two.
Fish and Reding both drew walks for the Elite, but East Cobb survived the inning without falling back behind in the top of the fourth.
Kieara Edwards lead off the bottom of the fourth getting hit-by-pitch and eventually scored putting the Bullets ahead 3-2.
After a 30 minute lightning delay, Elexis Watson hits an RBI-double for Tulsa tying the game at three. The Bullets regained the lead 5-3 in the fifth inning after a Maddison Koepke sacrifice ground out scoring Lindsey Warren.
The Tulsa rally started in the top of the sixth after a Paige Knight bases-clearing RBI-triple putting the Elite up 6-5. Tulsa added on five more runs to end the game and pulled off the gigantic victory over one of the nation's best, 11-5.
Watch the USA JO Cup Semifinals and Championship Games LIVE on Saturday, July 30
Photos by Adam Hagy/USA TODAY
St. Louis Chaos vs. Atlanta Vipers 16U
The Atlanta Vipers made a statement in its 8-0 win versus the St. Louis Chaos. Charla Echols, a Michigan State commit, drew a walk leading off the game and then the hitting spree began. Amy Vetula laid down a beautiful bunt single that the Chaos threw passed the first baseman and advanced her and Echols into scoring position.
Adia Polk then hit a three-run homer to left to give Atlanta an early 3-0 lead. Vipers starting pitcher Kayla Royter doubled on the very next pitch and later scored after Brianna Butler hit a two-run homer to center. The Vipers bats were unstoppable in the inning, as they got out to an insurmountable 5-0 lead.
Atlanta would stay hot in the second inning, when Vetula laid down another perfect bunt for a single after Echols was hit-by-pitch. She then stole second on the very next pitch to put them both in scoring position for the second consecutive inning. Polk would strike out this time around, but Royter crushed a three-run homer of her own extending the lead to 8-0.
Royter was also dominant on mound for the Vipers. She allowed just three hits and walked one, while striking out seven in the victory.
The Chaos had minimal chances throughout the game, and the game was called to the Mercy Rule after they couldn't manufacture a run through five innings.
The Vipers continued to hit the ball well, but failed to drive in more runs.
Atlanta advanced in an impressive win, 8-0.
Atlanta Vipers vs. Victory USA 16U
The Vipers hot bats continued in its second game of the day versus the Victory. Atlanta opened up a quick 4-0 lead early on once again and never looked back.
They were led by pitcher Brianna Butler in the victory. Butler established herself on the mound in the early innings mixing her fastballs and breaking balls well. She recorded five strikeouts and allowed five hits.
The Victory had a chance to cut the deficit in the fourth inning, after a leadoff double by Annie Moore, but they failed to manufacture any runs.
Vetula earned her way on base again after drawing a walk and then stole second and third base on consecutive pitches. Polk drew a walk bringing up Poyter to bat. She connected on an offspeed to deep right scoring Vetula to put the Vipers up 5-0. Maddie Billings hits an RBI-double on the very next pitch extending Atlanta's lead to 6-0. Loparo hit a third consecutive hit scoring Billings and the Vipers were up big time, 7-0 heading into the sixth.
The chances for the Victory were slim throughout as Butler continued to pitch well. Olivia Biles lead off the sixth for Atlanta with a double and later scored on a Polk two RBI-double extending the Vipers lead to 9-0.
They closed the game out in the bottom half and advanced with another mercy rule win.
Tulsa Elite vs. East Cobb Bullets 16U
The Tulsa Elite took down the East Cobb Bullets with a late-inning offensive explosion. The Elite trailed 5-3 heading into the final two innings, but scored seven runs in the sixth and seventh to secure its 10-5 victory.Rhylee Mcgeeley hit a leadoff single in the second inning and later scored on a Jolie Fish RBI-double. The Elite scored the first run of the game taking a 1-0 lead on the play.
The Bullets were held in check early on by Tulsa pitching Kaylee Anderson, as the the extended its lead in the second on a Paige Knight RBI-single scoring Samantha Ibison.
Leea Hanks, a Notre Dame commit, finally was able to get the Bullets offense going with a triple in the third inning. Arielle Oda hit a successful bunt single advancing Hanks to third setting up Kassidy Krupit - who hit a clutch two RBI-double on an 0-2 pitch to tie the game at two.
Fish and Reding both drew walks for the Elite, but East Cobb survived the inning without falling back behind in the top of the fourth.
Kieara Edwards lead off the bottom of the fourth getting hit-by-pitch and eventually scored putting the Bullets ahead 3-2.
After a 30 minute lightning delay, Elexis Watson hits an RBI-double for Tulsa tying the game at three. The Bullets regained the lead 5-3 in the fifth inning after a Maddison Koepke sacrifice ground out scoring Lindsey Warren.
The Tulsa rally started in the top of the sixth after a Paige Knight bases-clearing RBI-triple putting the Elite up 6-5. Tulsa added on five more runs to end the game and pulled off the gigantic victory over one of the nation's best, 11-5.
Watch the USA JO Cup Semifinals and Championship Games LIVE on Saturday, July 30
