Sorcerer 18 Gold - Mumma

Sorcerer began regional play on Friday against the Valley Breeze of Van Nuys, CA with a 12-3 victory punctuated by a 3-run homer by Northwestern-bound Emily Allard. 

On Saturday, Sorcerer defeated the So Cal Breakers in a 14-1 victory with home runs from Kasey Tydingco and Mississippi State-bound Courtney Moore, extending her home run streak to 5 consecutive weekends.

On Sunday morning, Sorcerer took the field at 8:00 AM against fellow NorCal team, the Strike Zone of Milpitas.  Sorcerer scored early and often, defeating Strike Zone with a score of 10-1 with a homerun by Cal-bound Alex Robben, and earning Sorcerer the right to play in the final winner bracket game for a berth to ASA Nationals.

At noon, Sorcerer faced the So Cal Diamonds of Newbury Park, CA. After having scored 36 runs in 3 games, Sorcerer bats went ice cold in the 106 degree heat.  Sorcerer scored no runs on 6 errors and gave up 3 homeruns, losing by a lopsided 12-0.  To earn a berth, Sorcerer would have to win two consecutive games in the losers bracket.

At 4 PM, Sorcerer faced the San Diego Renegades, who had just defeated the Explosion. Sorcerer dug deep, refused to allow the prior shutout to dampen their spirits, and defeated the Renegades by a score of 5-1.

Sorcerer then rested for 45 minutes, waiting to face the Jets Gold of Agoura Hills, CA as they soundly defeated the American Pastime with numerous home runs.  Sorcerer was pumped up, and in the first inning Sorcerer loaded the bases.  With one out, Courtney Moore went to the plate.  Courtney launched the second pitch to the 300 ft center field fence for a grand slam homerun, the longest homerun hit this writer has ever seen in ASA tournament play.

In the fourth inning, the Jets responded with a three-run homer of their own, bringing the score to 4-3.  But that was the end of the Jets offense, as Oregon-bound pitcher Jessica Moore and Cal pitcher Val Arioto kept the Jets hitters in check, forcing several pop-ups and strike-outs.  Sorcerer scored one more run on solid hitting. And to seal the deal, Cal-bound Ashley Decker went yard in the top of the sixth inning for a three-run homer.  After 2 hours and 5 minutes of play, Sorcerer defeated the Jets by a score of 8-3, earning a berth to ASA Gold Nationals.

Sorcerer is the first Northern California team to qualify, and the 27th team to qualify overall.  Five other teams also qualified this weekend in Lancaster:

*Notaby, 3 of the 6 qualifying teams came from the Sorcerer winner bracket, an event with a probability of only 6.25%.

In all, Sorcerer scored 49 runs in 6 games. Go Sorcerer and congratulations!!!