It’s Sunday morning and I can imagine many kids my age are probably sleeping in right now, but not me. I’m back at the fields with my team for day two of the showcase. 

Yesterday was a really good day for my team ending with two wins and no runs scored. We know games are just going to get harder and harder moving forward. This morning we showed up to the fields ready to compete and that is just what we did. 

FL Firecrackers Bordeau v Miami Stingrays | Replay

Our first game today against the Miami Stingrays. This game was bound to be a challenge. Madison Carney got the start in the circle. In the first inning, the Stingrays came out swinging. They scored two runs right off the bat, that's when we knew we had to get it together. 

The rest of the game went back and forth with tight defense and great hits from both teams. Madison held things down in the circle, allowing only a couple of hits and our defense backed those up. 

In the last inning, things really started to heat up. This was our last at-bat and our last chance to make something happen. Ava Thornsbury led off the inning with a line-drive single to start our rally. 

After that Hezzy was up, being as fast as she is, she laid down a perfect bunt. She advanced Ava from first to second and was safe at first. Due to an overthrow, Ava actually advanced all the way to third. 

Next up was Ella Thomas. Ella dropped another perfect bunt and is safe at first. Before we knew it, bases were loaded. Danika Best gets up and hits a ground ball to shortstop. This scores one run, except the runner going from second to third was tagged out. 

Riley Fenell was up next with one out. Hitting a sac fly to right field, she moved the runner from second onto third. At this point, there are two outs and Hannah Booth is up, she gets walked to load the bases. Then up comes Bristin Bordeau and she got walked as well, scoring the game-tying run. 

With two outs, bases loaded and the timer has gone off and Shannon Weems is the last batter. It was all or nothing at this point, if she gets on base we win the game if she gets out we tie. 

After a very long battle by Shannon with multiple foul balls she ends up getting walked. That’s it, we win 3-2! This game was a long and hard battle. 

If our team would’ve led up for even a second the Stingrays could’ve pulled away. Beating the Stingrays was a real confidence boost. Being coached by the former head coach of FIU, Gator Rebhan the Stingrays really knew what they were doing. The battle was tough but the outcome was great for us. 

Now that the first game was over with it was time to move onto the next. First, we had a game break. It was so hot outside this weekend that everyone was dripping sweat after our first game. I decided to go chill in my car again and relax until it was game time. 

FL Firecrackers Bordeau v EC Bullets | Replay

After eating a bag of Cheez-Its and watching a couple of Tik Toks it was time to go warm up. Our second game of today was against the East Cobb Bullets. We came into the game strong with no runs scored in the first inning. The second inning though is where things started to get out of hand. 

The EC bullets really started to string their hits together. Mostly gap shots from the Bullets resulted in a few runs scored for them. My team really struggled with hitting this game and couldn’t get any momentum going. Before we knew it the game was over. The EC bullets beat us. 

Going 3-1 this weekend was a really good way to kick off our summer season. We came into this weekend knowing we had to fight but also expecting to dominate and we did do a bit of both of those. Being back with my girls, winning, and having a good time was exactly what we all needed. This weekend was a great way to get back in the swing of things and recognize ways that we can get better. With a few little adjustments here and there, my team’s really going to be a force to be reckoned with this season. Who knows how many tournaments we will be playing moving forward, but if there’s one thing I have learned, it’s to never take this game for granted. 

Celia Vargas

FL Firecrackers Bordeau

Are you interested in guest blogging for FloSoftball? Email flosoftball@flosports.tv about future opportunities.