14U-Mrowka Wins 5 in a Day to Capture Flamethrower Title

After Saturday's games were cancelled due to wet fields, the USSSA Flamethrower NIT in Central Maryland was reformatted as a one-day tournament. Firebirds 14U-Mrowka were up to the task, using great pitching and defense to win five games during a day in which their last game began 12 hours after their first.

The team jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead against Carmen Fusco Crossfire in the championship game, and held on toe win 4-1. Amy Hartle was brilliant in the circle, giving up just the one earned run while striking out four over 3 IP. Lauren Mrowka had 2 RBI and Katie Ross contributed 1.

Pitching and defense were the hallmarks of the team's day. They committed just three errors over the five games. In the four bracket games, they outscored their opponents 21-4. In those games, Amy Hartle gave up 1 ER while striking out 8 over 6 IP. Hannah Steedman gave up 1 ER and struck out 10 over 7 IP. Hartle, Mrowka, and Ross paced the offense with 6, 4, and 3 RBI, respectively.

On Preakness Weekend, 12-Palazzo Wins the Black Eyed Susan

Firebirds 12U-Palazzo spent the weekend in central Maryland, winning all six of their games and claiming the USSSA Black Eyed Susan NIT 12U C championship. After leading most of the final game against the Langhorne Lightning, the Firebirds entered the fifth and last inning trailing 10-9. They scored two runs in the top and Maddie G. struck out the side on 11 pitches in the bottom to close out the game and capture the first place medals.

The top of the Firebirds order put up big numbers over the weekend. Leadoff hitter Mya C. went 11-16 at the plate and scored 14 runs. Baylee S. contributed 7 RBI while batting 10-16. Marina P. and Maddie G. contributed 10 and 9 RBI, respectively. Maddie dominated in the circle, allowing only 4 earned runs over 15.1 IP, while fanning 31.

12U-Palazzo Wins Kaboom Spring Classic

Firebirds 12U-Palazzo got off to a strong start in their first tournament of the spring, going 5-0 over the weekend in Loudoun County to win the USSSA Xplosion Kaboom Classic 12U-C championship. Marina P, Molly R, and Claudia C led a balanced offensive attack, each driving in 3 runs during the tournament. Maddie G struck out 33 batters over 16 innings, and Caitlyn L struck out 10 while giving up just 2 runs over 7 innings; she pitched a no-hitter against the Stars on Saturday.

In the championship game, the Firebirds took an early 2-0 lead over the Urbana Rippers, and added what proved to be the winning run in the third before giving up 2 runs in the fourth. They held the Rippers scoreless for the final two innings to win the game 3-2. Maya C went 2-2 with a walk, and Marina P drove in 2 runs. Maddie G was fantastic in the circle, striking out 10 and giving up just 5 hits over 6 strong innings.