The best laid plans often go awry in softball, but the players who adjust on the fly are usually the most successful.

Gainesville Gold McFayden vs Illusions Premier Cain

Gainesville Gold rising senior Lucy Giebeig entered a game at 18U TC/USA Nationals against Illusions Premier as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning. With runners at second and third base, she received the suicide squeeze sign. However, her bunt attempt landed foul.

A couple of pitches later, Giebeig slammed a double to right-centerfield and both runners scored.

“I missed the squeeze,” Giebeig said. “So I just told myself that I had to get a hit.

“It worked out.”

At the time, the double increased Gainesville Gold’s lead to five, but the insurance runs proved to be necessary. Louisiana Lafayette commit Taylor Roman led off the sixth with a solo homer to start a three-run rally for Illusions Premier. 

Giebeig’s two RBIs proved to be the difference in the 6-3, Gainesville Gold victory.

Texas CF Intruders vs Birmingham Thunderbolts 01

Texas Intruders catcher and Sam Houston State commit Hannah Scheaffer didn’t necessarily plan to hit a changeup in the first inning of her team’s contest against the Birmingham Thunderbolts on Tuesday morning, but she adjusted against the offspeed pitch, hitting a two-run double. 

Scheaffer was pleased her practice against changeups had paid off.

“Usually I’m not very good with changeups,” Scheaffer said. “(My) goal is to hit the changeups (harder).”

The Thunderbolts scratched out three runs over the contest’s final four frames, but a late insurance run Scheaffer scored allowed the Intruders to win, 4-3. Scheaffer was 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a run.

Tampa Mustangs TJ vs GA Firecrackers

Near comebacks were a theme on the second day of the 18U TC/USA Nationals. The Tampa Mustangs took a five-run lead against the GA Firecrackers behind three shutout innings from starting pitcher and N.C. State commit Brooklyn Lucero, but against the Mustangs bullpen, the GA Firecrackers scratched out three runs in the sixth inning to make things interesting late.

However, Mustangs manager T.J. Goelz turned to UConn commit Payton Kinney for the final five outs. Tampa won, 6-3.

“I thought our pitchers did a good job afterwards of making sure they didn’t get any more runs (after their rally),” said Mustangs first baseman Avery Goelz.

Goelz, who is committed to Florida, went 2-for-3 with two RBI-singles, two runs, and a stolen base.