The Rehoboth Thunder 16u fastpitch softball team continues
to prove that a small town team with great chemistry and good old-fashioned
hard work can compete with any team out there.
Coach Wade Lizotte brought the Thunder team together in 2012
with the intention of fielding a competitive team without the politics,
cliques, or stress that most girls had experienced on teams elsewhere.
The Thunder had a core group of Rehoboth girls who had
started playing together when they were 10 years old. A select few girls were
then added, who fit in with the Thunder chemistry and “team comes first”
attitude.
The result is a wonderful group of (11) hard working
“never-quit” female athletes who love being on the practice field, who fight
through each game until the very end, who support each other on and off the
field, and (most importantly) who will be life-long friends!
Following a top 8 showing at the Ma. ASA State tournament in
Lowell, the Thunder headed down to the New England Regionals in Bethel, Ct.
After a slow start on Saturday, dropping two games to the
Northeast Hurricanes from N.H., the Thunder were forced into playing 12 + hours
in the 90 degree heat and humidity on Sunday, fighting their way back through
the Bracket Play.
They finally reached the semi-finals, and got to have their
rematch with the Hurricanes.
The Thunder, continuing to get stronger with each game,
proceeded to shut them out 8-0.
This now placed the Thunder into the Championship round against an
undefeated USA Lady Mavericks team from N.H. (who had beaten the Thunder 5-4
earlier in the day).
Being a double-elimination tourney, the sweaty, filthy,
beat-up, and exhausted Thunder team now faced the rough road of having to beat
the Mavericks twice.
During the short rest between games, as they tried to cool down and catch their breath, Coach Lizotte told the team “This will be the
only time in your lives that you'll play in a 16U Regional
Championship game together – Make sure you enjoy it and have fun.”
The Thunder ladies’ team chemistry kicked in and took over
from there.
With the pride of being one of the last two teams still
remaining on a hot Sunday afternoon, they picked each other up, dug deep, and
surprised the well-rested Mavericks with their “never-quit” attitude, taking
the first game 2-0.
The Thunder was now on a roll and fought tooth and nail through the 2nd game.
Each inning was a back and forth battle resulting in a 2-2
score at the end of the 7 regulation innings.
The game then went to the international tiebreaker for the 8th
inning (runner starting on 2nd base for each team’s at bat). A 5-5
tie score at the end of 8 repeated the international tiebreaker for the 9th.
The Thunder team, now running on total adrenalin, went up
8-5 in the top of 9th.
The Mavericks pushed back hard throughout a bottom of the 9th
nail biter, but the Thunder Ladies continued to play their “Thunder ball”,
stood strong, (and somewhere around 8:30 that evening) got their 3rd and final out without letting in another run.
The Thunder Ladies, with dirty, tear stained faces and very
big smiles, were crowned the well deserved – 2013 16u “A” New England Regional
Champions!
The Thunder Ladies:
Jordan Lizotte, Jess Potter, Lissa McLean, Gaby Watson, and
Emma Maslen from Rehoboth. Katelyn Fournier from Dighton. Samantha Rogers and
Kelcie Mendes from Somerset. Bekah Lajoie from Taunton. Sophia Angelini and
Harper Berriman from Barrington.
Thunder Coaches Wade Lizotte, Jeff Potter, Scott McLean,
along with hitting guru Jeff Correia, and all the Thunder parents are extremely
proud of these exceptional young ladies!
Rehoboth THUNDER Softball – Where TEAM comes first!
http://rthundersoftball.blogspot.com/
