Aurora, CO.- The 2006 Radisson Southeast Colorado Fireworks 16 and Under Fast-pitch Softball Tournament was held this past week in beautiful Aurora, CO.  Aurora is a suburb of Denver and has been designated by Sports Illustrated as the #1 sports town in Colorado.  It is a beautiful city that sets on the South-East Side of Denver with the sunset view of the Rocky Mountains just to the west.  The tournament consisted of 60 of the Top 16 and Under, Class A, Competitive Fast-Pitch Softball teams from throughout the United States.   Including the sole representative from Oklahoma, the Tulsa Shootout

The Tulsa Shootout is a 16 and under Class A Competitive Fast-Pitch Softball Team based in Tulsa, OK. The team is coached by Head Coach & Manager Krystel Markwardt along with Assistant Coaches Pam Burton, Tim Burton, Crystal Clay and Dana Miller and is comprised of some of the Top Amateur female Athletes from throughout Northeastern Oklahoma including Tulsa, Bristow, Chelsea, Claremore, Owasso, Picher, Pryor, Sand Springs and Wynadotte.  The team has an extremely successful past including winning the Championship in the Hall-of-Fame Regional Qualifier held in Sand Springs, OK earlier this year and Placing an impressive Third Place out of 24 teams in the Hall-of-Fame National Qualifier held in Oklahoma City just a week ago.

The Shootout started off in Bracket Play bright and early at 9:15am on Wednesday morning against the strong Overland Park Lasers.  The girls battled hard in a tuff defensive battle, losing by a final score of 2-0.  Next up, they faced the East Cobb Blast at 11:00am on Wednesday morning and won an offensive battle, by a final score of 7-5.  On Thursday morning at 7:30am the team faced a good team in the Texas Hawks and got their bats going rallying for a 7-3 victory.  This left the Shootout facing the American Athletics from California and the team put on an offensive explosion winning by a final score of 13-1.  This left the Shootout with a (3-1) POOL Record and thanks to their offensive production left them in First Place, winning their Bracket and getting a first round bye in the tournament.

So, the Shootout started off tournament play against the British Columbia Victoria Devils from Canada.  The team played great and came out ahead in the end by a score of 5-2.  Next up the Shootout would face the Denham Springs Stingers from Louisiana.  The girls played another good game and were victorious in the end.  This left the team playing the TC Angels from the State of Washington.  Again, the Shootout put on another offensive explosion and defensive shutdown, shutting out the Angels by a final score of 7-0.  Next up would be the Hometown favorite the Colorado Stampede.  This would be a tuff battle for the Shootout considering the Hometown fan advantage, but the girls didn’t let it affect their game and won by a final score of 9-6. 

This left the Shootout facing the only other undefeated team in the tournament, the tuff Arizona Killer Bees of Mesa, AZ.  The Killer Bees had won all four of their POOL Games, only giving up one total run; and had won four consecutive tournament games allowing only five total runs.  It would be a tuff battle.  But, the team held their heads high and took the field with pride battling to the very end and only losing by a score of 3-0.

So, this left the Shootout playing the CS Express from Alabama, who had only one loss in the tournament and had won the loser bracket.  A loss would leave the Shootout with a respectable third place, but a win would guarantee second and give them a rematch with the Arizona Killer Bees in the Championship game.  The girls were not going to be satisfied with third place and were determined to get another chance at the Killer Bees.  It was a tuff defensive stand between both teams, but the Shootout prevailed in the end by a score of 3-1.

So, here they were, four days after they started and the dream was here, playing for the Championship.  Unfortunately, due to bad weather and lightning the Championship game was never played and was postponed due to lightning.  After a delay and concession by the 18u teams, the Shootout was encouraged to concede to the Killer Bee's and accept 2nd place.  Although they would have preferred to play, they took the high road and conceded in an attempt to show good sportsmanship. (The Killer Bee's had a plane to catch at 8:00pm) They had given it they’re all and gave every ounce of heart they had on the field all week.  The entire Tulsa Shootout should hold their heads high because of this impressive victory and an overall proud representation of Green Country and the entire state of Oklahoma.

Congratulations to the entire Tulsa Shootout organization for your hard work and dedication.  Please, everyone congratulate these young Ladies when you see them and let them know how proud we are of their hard work and dedication on and off the field.  Also, feel free to leave them a Message in their Guest Book on their Web-Site at http://www.eteamz.com/tulsashootout

Tulsa Shootout 2006 Active Roster:

          NO.          Player Name                               Position

          #00          Morgan Miller                              2B/SS/OF

          #04          Alyssa Freiling                             SS

          #05          Raegan Bryant                             OF/SS

          #06          Emily Meadors                             C

          #07          Amy Mills                                    C/2B

          #08          Casey Ramsey                             RHP/Utility

          #10          Tori Mort                                    CF

          #14          Jessica Robison                           3B/Utility

          #18          Emily Morris                                RHP/1B

          #20          Kendra Olinghouse                       OF

          #21          Madison Hahn                             1B/DP

          #24          Kalleigh Chrz                               RHP/1B

          #27          Morgan Finch                              SS/Utility