99 FIREBIRDS SPLIT WITH NSA CLASS A NATIONAL CHAMPS
Individual game highlights from this first summer at the 12U level include a split with the NSA Class A National Champs, VA Crushers. In the first meeting, the Firebirds took that one 7-1 riding a 1-hit complete game and timely hitting. The Firebirds later fell to their friendly local rivals at the Mid-Atlantic PONY Championships, 3-1.
In addition, the youngest 11U team in the area lost a heartbreaker to the older powerhouse, 98 Loudoun Storm Red, 9-8, on a 2-run walk off home run. In the only meeting with the heralded Shamrocks 98 team, the Firebirds battled to a 2-0 loss behind a well-deserved Shamrock no-hitter.
The Firebirds will now compete in the USSSA 11U World Series in OH, July 20-24.
FIREBIRDS 11U ENJOYING SPRING SUCCESS
The NVGSA Fairfax Firebirds 11U have continued their successful jump from 10U to 12U. As the youngest team in the region, the Firebirds have earned another USSSA World Series berth and have compiled a 19-9 overall record in USSSA Tournaments.
Tournament results:
USSSA Dust Off The Rust, VA
2nd Place
4 Wins, 2 Losses
USSSA BRYC Spring Classic, VA
Silver Champions
3 Wins, 2 Losses
USSSA Black Eyed Susan, MD
5th Place (16 teams)*
4 Wins, 1 Loss
* Led tournament in both runs scored and run differential
The team will be playing in the 11U USSSA World Series beginning on July 20th in Ohio.
FIREBIRDS 11Us QUALIFY FOR 12U USSSA NATIONALS IN FIRST 12U TOURNAMENT
Sterling, VA, 10/17/10 — The NVGSA Firebirds '99 earned Runner Up in the 12-team, 12U USSSA Breast Cancer Awareness Tournament -- their first 12U tournament. As the youngest team in the field, they scratched and clawed their way through 10 games and finished 6-2-2 including two tie-break victories. On Championship Sunday, the Firebirds played six straight games without leaving their dugout. "This was the best 'team' experience that I've ever been a part of," said Coach Mike Mertz. We pitched six pitchers and got all 12 players involved in every game. There were key contributions from everyone. We came from behind a few times and the momentum just kept building."
The Firebirds defeated the WHC Fever '99 (a friendly and tough rival on the 11U circuit), Fauquier Freeze Blue '98, SYA Xplosion '98, Ashburn Shooting Stars Gold '98, and then faced their toughest competition of the fall in the championship game against the Germantown Titans Blue '98. The Titans hadn't given up more than 2 runs in any game up until that point, and had won every game by run rule. But the young Firebirds came out swinging, putting up three runs in the 1st inning on three extra base hits. The Firebirds also got a brave pitching performance out of their newest player, Marin Uher, who joined the team from 10U rec ball in Vienna. She started the game and made it into the 5th inning with a 5-4 lead before Germantown turned to a mix of short game and power game to take advantage of a few costly Firebird errors. The Titans finished strong and won 11-5.
Following the game, the older Titans team and coaching staff paid great respect and displayed tremendous sportsmanship during the ceremony. "It was a lot of fun, and exhausting at the same time. We were there warming up at 7AM on both days in the frost, and we were the last team to leave the park both days as well. But it is something that our coaches and parents will definitely remember, plus it was for a great cause. And now, we have a lot of work to do this winter to get better."
FIREBIRDS 10Us WIN ASA B STATE TOURNAMENT AND TAKE 3RD IN ASA EASTERN NATIONALS
Ashburn/Sterling, VA, 7/10-8/1 — The NVGSA Firebirds 99 select team won the 10u ASA B State Tournament and later placed 3rd in the 10u ASA B Eastern Nationals.
In the ASA State Tournament, the Firebirds went undefeated and won the semi-final game and championship game by a combined score of 35-1. ”During the early part of the summer, our girls struggled through some tough losses where we didn't play well and allowed little mistakes to affect the outcomes of games. But we dug down and improved our overall team play heading into the big tournaments. We're all really proud of 'em," said Head Coach, Mike Mertz.
Following the ASA States, the team played in the ASA Eastern Nationals in Sterling, VA and earned 3rd place overall. During pool play, the Firebirds finished their pool 3-0 with the number one seed. They then went to 5-0 after the first two rounds of bracket play, but ran into some outstanding pitching to finish 5-2 overall. The team was lead offensively by Kayla Turner who had 10 hits in her first 13 at bats through the first five games with 8 RBIs. "She was on everything. She was dictating the outcomes of her at bats, not the pitchers—and that's a trait of a great hitter." Defensively, it was truly a team effort. Tough defense, and solid pitching from five young pitchers. “When you get into the larger tournaments, it's great to have flexibility and depth. That definitely works in our favor, as does our team speed and aggressive base running."
The Firebirds 99 will move up to 12U in the fall. Tryout dates and contacts are listed on the team website at: http://fairfaxfirebirds99.shutterfly.com
FIREBIRDS CONTINUE SOFTBALL NATION RUN
Richmond, VA, 7/5/2010 — The Fairfax Firebirds '99 team finished 3rd overall at the Softball Nation Queen of the Hill Mid-Atlantic Championships. After six pool play games over two days, the Firebirds were seeded 4th in the Gold Bracket and lost the semi-final single-elimination game to the eventual champions, RBI Inferno. Their overall tournament record was 5-3.
On MAY 23 in Atlee, VA, the Firebirds landed the Gold Championship at the Softball Nation 1-Day Bring It Tournament which featured a strong field including RBI Inferno, Hanover Lady Hornets, SYA Xplosion and the Glen Allen Fury.
On MAY 2 in Richmond, the Firebirds earned a 2nd place finish in the Gold Bracket of the Softball Nation Dirty Dozens Tournament, going down to a fine young Riptides team.
The Firebirds '99/00 team will compete in the ASA Virginia State Tournament (JUL 10-11) in Ashburn, VA as well as the ASA "B" Eastern Nationals at the end of the month (JUL 28-31).
http://fairfaxfirebirds99.shutterfly.com
FIREBIRDS 10Us ARE CHAMPIONS AT THE USSSA SPRING OPENER
Sterling, VA, 4/19/2010 — The Fairfax Firebirds '99 team finished on top in the 7-team USSSA Spring Opener at Claude Moore Park. Their overall tournament record was 6-1 as they battled through temperatures in the 50s and steady wind gusts the entire weekend. The 1st Place finish moved the Firebirds USSSA 10U ranking up to 2nd in the state of VA.
The Firebirds '99 team had previously earned a spot in the 2010 USSSA World Series in Orlando, FL and still have plans to attend in late July.
Video of the final out and team celebration can be viewed here: http://fairfaxfirebirds99.shutterfly.com/364
http://fairfaxfirebirds99.shutterfly.com
FIREBIRDS 10Us FINISH FIRST FALL SEASON ON FIRE
Sterling, VA, 11/8/2009 — The Fairfax Firebirds '99 ended their first true 10U season with a thrilling championship runner-up finish in the USSSA Fall Challenge at Claude Moore Park. Their overall tournament record was 5-2, including an early 7-2 win over the eventual champion, Loudoun Storm, and a number one seed heading into bracket play. After a three hour wait into the cold Saturday night, the Birds were upset by the Manassas Blaze in their first bracket game. But they fired back and won their next three games in dominant fashion to advance to the championship. The Loudoun Storm cruised through bracket play and rebounded against the Firebirds with perhaps their strongest game of the tournament and deservedly earned the title of USSSA Fall Challenge Champs. The runner-up finish moved the Firebirds '99 USSSA 10U ranking up to 3rd in the state of VA, and 24th in the U.S.
A magical moment occurred just before one of Sunday’s critical games. As families cheered the Firebirds 99 on, their Firebird 16U "Big Sisters" made a surprise appearance for a gift exchange and group cheer that sparked the players, coaches and fans on the Firebirds side.
The runner-up finish earns the young team a berth in the 2010 USSSA National Tournament in Orlando, FL in late July. In their two preceding fall tournaments, the Firebirds '99 took third place in the BRYC Fall Classic in Annandale, VA and third place in the Softball Nation Fall Festival in Richmond, VA. Overall, a spectacular inaugural season. "Since the beginning of the fall season our team theme has been 'Firebird Heart' and we showed a lot of that," said manager, Mike Mertz. "Firebird Heart is an emphasis on 'effort and attitude.' If we come back this winter and work hard—and stick together as a team—sky's the limit for these Baby Birds."