The Texas Hawks began Friday’s action playing against the MN Blizzards from Bloomington, MN. The game looked to be an even match up as both teams connected with the ball and loaded the bases. The duel continued until the fifth and sixth innings when the players started rounding the bases home.

The fifth inning finally looked promising for the Blizzards and for the scoreboard to change the zero to a one. Desiree Smith stepped up to the plate and blasted the ball to left field. With Smith on first base Rachel Brummer found a hole for a double, advancing Smith to third. Marriana Nelson followed their lead by bunting the ball trying to allow Smith’s designated runner enough time to slide home. Nelson got to second off her bunt but the Hawks shut down the rally getting the out at home and keeping the score 0-0.

In the sixth inning the Hawks were ready to capitalize on the Blizzards missed opportunity to score. Lyndsey Henson connected with the ball and positioned herself on second base. Hawks pitcher, Kristina Gutierrez was ready to keep her teams’ National dream alive. Gutierrez’s bat sent the ball flying, giving Henson the needed time to score the winning run of the game.

The Blizzards had the last bat but were unable to tie the score, allowing the Hawks to move on and play the Buckaroos from Fort Collins, CO.

The Hawks next game was an eight-inning battle against the Buckaroos. The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) rule of the International Tie Breaker (ITB) was instated at the start of the eighth inning. This rule states that each team would start with a runner on second base and this manner would continue until the game was won.

The Buckaroos started the eighth, proving they only needed one more inning to end the game. Melisa Ryba started on second and Amber Roundtree was able to hit her in finally giving the Buckaroos the lead. The Hawks tried to get Naomi Lee in from second but could not bring her home, giving the Buckaroos a 1-0 win.

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