Website Manager

| Register
Register

 

 

News Detail

  < Back to Home

29

Jan, 2024

16U CHAMPIONS PLAYED REC TOO!

On January 28, 2024, the KLBS Blue Storm 16u team participated in the USSSA Fire and Ice Showdown at the Wyoming Valley Sports Dome in Wilkes-Barre, PA.  This was a one-day indoor tournament featuring top 16U "open" teams from Connecticut, New York, and Maryland.  In contrast to the other registered teams, Blue Storm was a young entry, with 8 of its 11 players still 14U age eligible.  However, Blue Storm had one significant advantage over its opponents - nearly all of its players had been together for many years through KLBS Spring Rec, in some cases dating even as far back as the KLBS kindergarten programs.

With the above as background, in the first Pool Play game the Blue Storm drew OC Bombers 16U Black.  Facing a dominant pitcher who was throwing consistently in excess of 60 mph, it took some time for Blue Storm to find their rhythm on offense.  However, through flawless defense (including a racing catch by centerfielder AvaRose Kalarchian on a line drive heading for the wall), the Blue Storm was able to hold a scoreless tie, until the final inning when a clutch triple by Riley Sacco (who had previously earned a walk during a 13-pitch marathon at-bat) led to a 1-0 Blue Storm victory.

The Blue Storm next defeated the Maryland Patriots 2-1 via another solid defensive performance marked by the strong pitching of Natalie Sacco, some timely infield defense by Samantha Saldutti and Clare Doherty, and a bullet throw by catcher Helena Hudson which nabbed the tying runner trying to steal third base.  The game included the only run allowed by Blue Storm during the tournament, but it was a controversial run directly resulting from a unfortunate missed call by the home plate umpire (and always remember parents, umpires are human too and are doing the best they can!).  

As a result of the two victories, the Blue Storm entered Bracket Play as the 1-seed, and as the pool shook out they again faced the Maryland Patriots in the semifinals.  In this game however, the Blue Storm bats came alive, spurred by three hits each from Elise Templeton and Captain Mary Kelley.  The 9-0 victory was sealed by a highlight reel catch in right field by newcomer Niya Kapahi, who proceeded to then throw out a Patriots player at home to end the game.

In the Tournament Final the Blue Storm once again faced the OC Bombers.  As during the first Pool Play game, Maria DeGaetano was again brilliant on the mound keeping the Bombers off-balance and off the scoreboard, including working out of a bases-loaded one-out jam in the second inning.  The game continued scoreless deep into the night, when finally after 1 am, the home-sided Blue Storm was able to work runners to second and third with one out, setting the table for Kristin Zabrocki to walk-off the championship with a searing hit down the rightfield line.  

For the tournament the Blue Storm went 4-0, committing zero errors and allowing just one run over 20 innings of play.  The Blue Storm off-season training program which includes a team practice, strength and conditioning sessions, and speed/agility training played a huge role in preparing the girls.  In none of the four games were they the tallest, the strongest, or the fastest of the players.  But they were Softball Players - almost all of them having spent years coming up through the KLBS Rec program ranks together - and in the end they were Champions.

Please always remember, if you would like for your daughters to have the above types of experiences, KLBS and Blue Storm can provide them with opportunities not just on the field, but off.  Many of the girls who play on this team also take part in our Rec Umpire in Training program.  Once your daughter ages out of Rec, this program provides not only employment opportunities but an opportunity to be strong role models to the younger players.

KLBS would like to particularly acknowledge the following individuals:

Coaches Kelley Bentson and Sara Tenke - The Blue Storm Pitching Coaches
Coach Theresa Swertfager - The Blue Storm Hitting and Catcher Coach
Coach Mike Dwyer - Head of the Blue Storm Travel Committee 
Coach Marshall Tilden - League Social Media Coordinator
Coaches Lisa lake, Emily Lucas, Tom Vasile, Marshall tilden and Joey Santoiemma - KLBS Rec Program Coordinators
The KLBS Board and Coaches
FWD.Fit, Blue Storm Strength and Conditioning Instructors
Velocity, Blue Storm Speed and Agility Instructors

and of course.... all of our KLBS Parents and Families!

Go KLBS and Go Blue Storm!

Contact

Katonah Lewisboro Bedford Softball (KLBS)
  
Katonah, New York  

Email: [email protected]

Site Links

Copyright © 2025 Katonah Lewisboro Bedford Girls Softball League  |  Privacy Statement |  Terms Of Use |  License Agreement |  Children's Privacy Policy  Log In
Sports Connect