The Silicon Valley Glory 16 U
”
A
”
softball team competed in the week-long Colorado Sparkler
showcase tournament in Denver, Colorado June 25-July 2.
Special to the Dispatch
The Silicon Valley Glory 16 U “A” softball team competed in the week-long Colorado Sparkler showcase tournament in Denver, Colorado June 25-July 2.
The Glory got off to a rough start, losing their first three games of pool play against tough teams from Colorado, Illinois and Oklahoma.
The Glory were able to bounce back against the Breeze to win 7-6. Danielle Payne pitched the win. Sisters Alissa and Emily Castro, Ashley Serrano, Ashley Harrington, Deanna Carter, Payne and Stephanie Doting had hits, and Melanie Morelos hit a triple.
In bracket play, the Glory beat the Reno Stealth 9-6. Lefty Ashley Harrington picked up the win. Emily Castro, who had two stolen bases, hit a double and a home run. Harrington helped herself with two stolen bases.
The Glory lost game six against the Sting, 4-3. Despite nine hits, they were unable to pull out the victory. Ashley Serrano and Brenna O Neill had two hits each.
“They played hard and didn’t give up.” said coach Julie Bergman.”
Danielle Payne pitched game seven for the Glory against the Minnesota Ice. Glory had fifteen hits and nine stolen bases. Shortstop Alissa Castro went 3-for-5, Emily Castro, Ashley Serrano and Stephanie Doting went 2-for-5, while Samantha Romero, Ashley Harrington and Deana Carter picked up a hit each.
The Glory faced the Washington Rage in their eighth game in Colorado. Ashley Harrington pitched a four-hitter, with four strikeouts in the 5-2 victory. Stephanie Doting, Ashley Harrington, and Alissa Castro all had two hits. Utility player Brenna O’Neill had an RBI triple.
Danielle Payne started game nine against the Idaho Wildfire, with Harrington coming in in relief. Payne had four strikeouts and no walks. Harrington pitched the three-up-three-down last inning with one strike out. Gilroy lost 7-1 to be eliminated from the Sparkler tournament.
Freshman Melanie Morelos led the team with a .666 batting average during the tournament. Ashley Serrano batted .524, Emily Castro batted .444, Stephanie Doting batted .421 and Alissa Castro rounded out the top five with a .416 batting average.
Morelos, who plays catcher, is the youngest player on the team at age 13.
“It’s been a really big challenge stepping up, and I have no regrets,” Morelos said of playing with older players. “I feel that playing in Colorado helped build my character, and I can’t wait to see what Huntington Beach has in store for me.”
“They learned a lot,” said manager Dennis Castro,” And Colorado was an eye opening experience for them.”
Twin Creeks
The Glory finished second in the Twin Creeks tournaments as an 18 U “A” team on July 7-8.
They beat the Oakland Vipers 6-2, the Salinas Rockets 4-2, tied the Sunnyvale Stars 0-0, beat the St. Agnus Angels 8-1 and then lost 4-2 to the Salinas Rockets in the championship
Ashley Harrington started the championship game, and Danielle Payne came in for relief in the last inning with a three-up-three down inning including a strikeout. Alissa Castro (2-for-3) scored in the first inning on a fielder’s choice hit by Serrano. Emily Castro, who reached on a base hit, scored in the third after stealing second, and came home on another hit by Serrano, who also went 2-for-3.
Alissa Castro led the team, batting .500. Emily Castro batted .462 with a .500 on base percentage, Ashley Serrano batted .333, with a .400 on base percentage, Ashley Harrington batted .333 and Melanie Morelos rounded out the tope five with a .286 batting average.
The Glory now head to Huntington Beach for the Surf City Showcase tournament where they will be playing as 16 U “A” team.
“Their level of play has risen to a higher standard and I am confident that they’ll put up a good showing in Huntington Beach,” Castro said. “These are good girls, and real good ball players.”
If you would like to make a donation, or learn how you can help The SiliconValley Glory 16 U “A” softball team, please contact manager Dennis Castro at 408-607-2101 or email him at
ca********@ya***.com
.
