Cherry Capital Showdown - June 21-23, 2024

After 10 years, it was a tournament of firsts...first time two teams from the same organization met for a championship....first time tournament teams got to play at the beautiful new Trojan Athletic Complex....first time we've welcomed ELEVEN teams from four different organizations in Ohio to a tournament, and the first day of summer just around the corner.

On the softball fields of Traverse City, the action was frequent and frantic.  For the first time in the 17-year history of the Traverse City tournaments, two teams from the same organization--Armada 10U and Armada 9U--met in the championship game.  The older Armada girls got past the younger Armada girls, 4-1, in a very well-played game.  Armada 10U was undefeated in five games over the weekend...congratulations, ladies!

In the 12U group, the Tri-Valley Twisters avenged an earlier loss in pool play by upending 231 Fusion Fastpitch, 7-3, to win their group's tournament title.  The Twisters defeated a very good Michigan Blasters team, 3-2, in a semifinal contest, while the Fusion overwhelmed Armada 11U, 10-2, to reach the finals.  Congratulations on your great tournament runs, girls!

The 14U division was a war of attrition that her been rarely, if ever, seen.  For example, one 14U quarterfinal featured Fusion on Fusion action, with Juli Tiesworth's 14U squad taking on Steve Steimel's 13U team.   The game went overtime and then some--FOUR extra innings after the time limit.  When the dust settled, the 13U Fusion team edged their 14U chums, 5-4, to advance to the semifinals.  In that contest, Trevor Kelly's Lightning team edged Steimel's Fusion squad, 6-5 to advance to the finals.  Steimel's team solidified their reputation as a tough out, and one that when fully engaged will give any team at any time a strong battle.

On the other side of the 14U bracket, the Michigan Elite '08 squad matched up against Lakeshore Storm in a battle of undefeated teams.  Scott Bradfield's Elite '08 team got by Ben Korf's Storm, 7-6.  Elite then met their second unbeatent team in a row, and in this contest the Lightning powered its way to the 14U title, 9-2.  Overall the 14U group was extremely strong, with high levels of play shown throughout the weekend.

In the High School division, a pair of top-of-the-age-group teams met in the finals, with the 18U Loco Aftershock squad besting the 18U Midland Lady Explorers, 5-1, to earn the home plate trophy and a fistful of first place medals.  Congratulations, ladies!

There were consolation bracket champions in all four divisions, and all foru games were decided by one run.  The Northern Michigan Legends--a new but rapidly-improving organization--featured two teams in consolation final play.  The 10U Legends edged the Tri-Valley Twisters, 3-2, while the 12U Legends-Payton team lost to the LoCo Aftershock by the same score.  In the 14U group, it was an all-Ohio final as Doin' Work bested Freedom Elite Fastpitch, 2-1.  And in the high school division, Armada Fastpitch slipped by the Mt. Pleasant Drillers, 4-3.

Overall, it was a very fun tournament with high energy play all around town.  Thank you to all of the teams that participated in the Cherry Capital Showdown, and to the family and fans that helped to make the weekend a positive experience for their players.

Did you catch any of the 2022 Cherry Capital Showdown?  Here are the players  who dazzled on the field and were selected for the All-Tournament Team.  If you don't see your players listed here, please send a note with your team name and nominations to JSBrunner777@yahoo.com

10U Division

Payton Cross - Mt. Pleasant Drillers

Brooklynn Wernette - Mt. Pleasant Drillvers

Harper Clark - Michigan Blasters

Lauren Byrnes - Michigan Blasters

Ellie Matthiew - Folds of Honor

Olivia Harper - Folds of Honor

Margot Schaffler - 231 Fusion

Morgan Wagner - 231 Fusion

Emery Weier - Armada Fastpitch 9U

Valerie Townsend - Armada Fastpitch 9U

Adison  Robinson - Doin' Work

Maddy Wealleans - Doin' Work

Katherine Gaskin - Northville Mustangs

Lola Reynolds - Northville Mustangs

Sofia Zuccaro - Armada 9U

Addisyn George - Armada 9U

Jenna Shanks - Armada 9U

Addy Roose - Armada 10U

Fallyn Schocke - Armada 10U

Makenna Zurek - Armada 10U

Bella Majewski - Armada 10U

Lily Proper - Tri-Valley Twisters

Makenzie Jackson - Tri-Valley Twisters

Addison Ball - Saginaw Sugar Beets

Lila Westphal - Saginaw Sugar Beets

McKenzie Becker - St. Clair Starz

Camryn Cody - St. Clair Starz

Eva Gregory - Warriors Fastpitch

Kinsley Pintelman - Warriors Fastpitch

Emmy Hansen - N. Michigan Legends

Lucy Joyce - N. Michigan Legends

12U Division 

Aval Gaylord - N. Michigan Dragonflies

Courtney Borden - N. Michigan Dragonflies

Lyla Gearhart - Trenton Blast

Ava Ross - Trenton Blast

Khloe Courtade - Folds of Honor

Kloie Raterink - Folds of Honor

Madison Vita - Doin' Work

Kendall Hamons - Doin' Work

Alexa Smith - Michigan Rebels

Gia Newburry - Michigan Rebels

Lyney McGlothen - LoCo Aftershock

Cayda Millice - LoCo Aftershock

Evelyn Miller - Goodrich Angels

Mason Klott - Goodrich Angels

Addison Viviano - Anchor Bay Angels

Savannah Tocco - Anchor Bay Angels

Lexi Walker - Tri-Valley Twisters

Mya Walker - Tri-Valley Twisters

Kaylee Pasternak - Tri-Valley Twisters

Samantha Osborne - Tri-Valley Twisters

Paige Luneack - Michigan Blasters

Maeli Akin - Michigan Blasters

Grace Girvin - Armada 11U

Justine Lint - Armada 11U

Olivia Valenzuela - Lakeshore Storm

Eleanore Pogodzinski - Lakeshore Storm

Lydia Kosanke - N.Michigan Legends Payton

Piper Wangler - N. Michigan Legends Payton

Maddy Korson - Soo Legacies

14U Division

Sidney Bush - N. Michigan Legends

Ayla Kemp - N. Michigan Legends

Abby Parker - Diamonds Ager

Kellsie Dieterle - Diamonds Ager

Hayden Boonstra - TC Waves

Karley Kingsbury - TC Waves

Audrey Williams - 231 Fusion Tiesworth

Izzy Edmonds - 231 Fusion Tiesworth

Emmalie Hirst - Marshall Lightning

Brooke Carden - Marshall Lightning

Mya Porter - Marshall Lightning

Gwen Beach - Marshall Lightning

Makayla Kozlowski - 231 Fusion Steimel

Nora Bethuy - 231 Fusion Steimel

Lexi Amundsen - Doin' Work

Maggie Woodward - Doin' Work

High School Division

Danyette Cadarette - N. Michigan Legends

Savannah Kroondyk - N. Michigan Legends

Mattea Iffland - Doin' Work

Natalina Krygielski - Doin' Work

Gwen Trudeau - Goodrich Angels

Sarah Fox - Goodrich Angels

Adri Lockwood - Lakeshore Storm Wright

Rylee Lamsma - Lakeshore Storm Wright

Olivia Guiding - MSA Silver

Katelyn Lott - MSA Silver

Taylor Moeggenberg - 231 Fusion

Natalie Wandrie - 231 Fusion

Amanda Hill - Mt. Pleasant Drillers

Natalie Jones - Mt. Pleasant Drillers

Allee Shepherd - TC Waves

Adrianna Sacket - TC Waves

Hannah Fellows - TC Waves

Avery Meister - Motor City Madness

Natalie Petty - Motor City Madness

Anna Kemp - 231 Fusion

Grace Blanchard - Next Level Performance

Audrie Dugan - Next Level Performanc

(Above) Folds of Honor/Top Prospects Pladies

High School Division Champions

You know.....there are a LOT of really good softball players who are playing in Traverse City this summer making up a LOT of really good teams.  The hard part as a fan is deciding which game to watch, because so many of them have been really exciting and very interesting....like this weekend in the 2021 Cherry Capital Showdown.

Bracket play in multiple divisions was CRAZY!  The Top Prospects-Pladies team and Grand Rapids Diamonds -Tuttle battled for eight innings in the high school division semifinal before the game was decided (won by the Prospects, 3-1).  Several bracket games in the 14U group also went to the international tie-breaker before contests were decided.  And in the high school division consolation semifinals, the hometown Traverse City Waves scored three runs in the bottom of the last inning, including a walk-off two-run single, to edge crosstown chums TC Thunder, 6-5.  Crazy!

Some of the best action happened in the younger divisions.  Take, for instance, the 10U group.  The Magic -Thacker squad from Ohio and Traverse City-based 231 Fusion were slotted in the same pool but throughout the weekend proved they were the two best teams in the entire 10U division.  The Fusion shut out the Grandville Dawgs (11-0) then edged a talented Armada Fastpitch team in the semifinals, 7-5, to reach the title game.  On the other side of the bracket, the Magic dismantled the Tri-Valley Twisters, 11-0, to earn a title game berth.  In the championship contest, the Fusion and Magic talent showed brightly, but in the end the Magic earned the home plate trophy with a 1-0 victory.

In the 12U group, the 231 Fusion 12U squad rampaged through the division, allowing only two runs all tournament.  In bracket play, the team was at its best, spinning shutouts against the Mt. Pleasant Drillers (10-0) and then against Elite 12U (3-0) in the finals.  Congratulations, ladies!

In the 14U division, it was the Fusion squad AGAIN that made the biggest impression, winning the tournament title with a hard-fought 7-4 victory over the Mt. Pleasant Drillers.  To get there, though, the Fusion survived a second-round scare against a dangerous Elite 13U team, 5-4.  With that game behind them, the Fusion diffused the Marshall Lightning, 9-0 to reach the title game on Sunday.  There was excellent play in the 14U division all weekend--good job, all.

In the high school group, Paul Pladies' Top Prospects team rode solid pitching and, at times, spectacular defense to a tournament title.  The Prospects gave up only two runs in three games against the top teams in the high school group.  After getting by the Diamonds in the aforementioned nailbiter, the Prospects  defeated the Mt. Pleasant Drillers-McArthur team, 3-1, in the finals.  The upper age group, expanded this year to include all high school-aged players, has become a LOT more competitive and very fun to watch, with many games featuring a collection of high school all-stars on both sides of the field.  Terrific ball....

Complete tournament results can be found on the Tourney Machine app.

Thank you to all of the parents and grandparents--and especially the fathers who spent their Father's Day at the softball field.  We hope you enjoyed the tournament and your weekend in Traverse City!

(Above) Motor City Madness and TC Waves Team Up For A Picture Following The High School Division Consolation Final

There were a LOT of excellent players in the Cherry Capital Showdown, making selections for the All-Tournament team that much more difficult.  Here's who the coaches came up with for the best performances of the weekend (Coaches:  send your selections to JSBrunner777@yhoo.com):

10U Division

Molli McDonald - Ogemaw Outlaws

Blaire DeVault - Ogemaw Outlaws

Grace Girvin - Armada Fastpitch

Addy Roose - Armada Fastpitch

Allysse Deshetsky - Tri-Valley Twisters

Makenzie Jackson - Tri-Valley Twisters

Casey Lyons - SGS Magic

Carmen Rupp - SGS Magic

Addison Beining - SGS Magic

Norah Mennitt - SGS Magic

12U Division 

Claudia Harris - TC Waves

Kayla Noble - TC Waves

Maddie Hohne - Tri-Valley Twisters

Samantha Osborne - Tri-Valley Twisters

Madalyn Duda - South Haven Waves

Lynique Cunningham - South Haven Waves

Jeneveve Lewis - Armada Fastpitch

Hannah Mathis - Armada Fastpitch

Callie Nader - Elite 12U

Leah Keur - Elite 12U

Mykaila Bradfield - Elite 12U

Laruen Luchies - Elite 12U

Maria Baier - Goodrich Angels

Maddie Szyarto - Goodrich Angels

Aubrey Weiland - 231 Fusion

Nora Bethuy - 231 Fusion

Macy Pohlad - 231 Fusion

Delaney Witkop - 231 Fusion

Sadie Kragt - Lakeshore Storm

Lora Taylor - Lakeshore Storm

14U Division

Olivia Hebb - Armada Fastpitch

Reese Klei - Armada Fastpitch

Annabel Kevwitch - Folds of Honor Kevwitch

Sydnee Kirk - Folds of Honor Kevwitch

Annika Arendt - Folds of Honor Kevwitch

Kaitlyn Minikey - Michigan Blasters

Hollie Walker - Michigan Blasters

Taylor Pachero - Hitz Outlawz

Emma Bambrick - Hitz Outlawz

Kylieh Bilek - Top Prospects 

McKenzie Gugins - Top Prospects

Chloe DeRidder - Grand Rapids Diamonds

Audrey Huff - Grand Rapids Diamonds

Jadyn Morgan - Doin' Work

Maggie Woodward - Doin' Work

Evelyn Edenburn - Goodrich Angels

Delaney Lederman - Goodrich Angels

Lexi Rowland - Sparta SWAT

Katelyn Vanderwerff - Sparta SWAT

Audrie Dugan - Next Level Performance

Clare Flory - Next Level Performance

Brooke Carden - Marshall Lightning

Gwen Beach - Marshall Lightning

Emmalie HIrst - Marshall Lightning

Haleigh Yocom - 231 Fusion

Libby VanFleet - 231 Fusion

Grace Cary - 231 Fusion

Anna Wood - 231 Fusion

Lizzy Lints - Northwest Wild

Nora Grossnickle - Northwest Wild

High School Division 

Farren Moore - Grand Rapids Diamonds Tuttle

Brooklyn Bowen - Grand Rapids Diamonds Tuttle

Megan Perkins - Mt. Pleasant Drillers McArthur

Emma Wheeler - Mt. Pleasant Drillers McArthur

Karly Smith - Mt. Pleasant Drillers McArthur

Natalie Jones - Mt. Pleasant Drillers McArthur

Kayleigh Deshais - Inter-Lakes Pride Henderson

Hailey Lammers - Inter-Lakes Pride Henderson

Cadence Shigwadja - Mt. Pleasant Drillers Davis

Kendra Walch - Mt. Pleasant Drillers Davis

Ava Tiesworth - Northwest Wild

Kinzee Stockdate - Northwest Wild

Rylea Beamish - TC Waves

Hannah Grahn - TC Waves

Audrey Williams - TC Waves

Monica Gillick - Motor City Madness

Mari Lopez - Motor City Madness

Mikaylyn Kenney - Top Prospects Pladies

Andrea Romero - Top Prospects Pladies

Illena Hatcher - Top Prospects Pladies

Avery Johnson - Top Prospects Pladies

Rylie Leone - Armada Fastpitch 16U

Jenna Maday - Armada Faspitch 16U

Avery Moran - Lakeshore Storm Wright

Evelyn McEachen - Lakeshore Storm Wright

Alaina Saori - Soo Legacies

Augusta Smith - Soo Legacies

No team name or age division given:

Brooke Fluty

Madison Poortenga

Champion - Midland Ladey Explorers Augustine

Runner Up - Top Prospects

Consolation Champion - Petoskey Blaze

Consolation Runner Up - Lady Lakers

Champion - Traverse City Waves Shepherd

Runner Up - Kalamazoo Growlers

Consolation Champion - TC Thunder Hawkins

Consolation Runner Up - Lakeshore Storm

Champion - 231 Fusion Steimel

Runner Up - Grand Rapids Diamonds

Consolation Champion - Doin' Work

Consolation Runner Up - Fanatics

Champion - 231 Fusion Fastpitch

Runner Up - Pirates Fastpitch

Whew!  The softball talent in Traverse City for the 2019 Cherry Capital Showdown was something to behold.  And three of the four championship finals came down to the last inning before a title winner was determined.  Here's the lowdown....

In the 10U group, the Grand Rapids Diamonds raced through the rest of the competition like a hot knife through butter.  Joe Sarnicola's squad was unbeaten in the tournament, their title run capped by an 18-6 victory over runner-up Inter Lakes Pride 10U.  Great job, ladies!

In the 12U division, the outcome was not quite as clear until the final out had been recorded.  Inter Lakes Pride, coached by Tom Finnegan, edged Shawn Lezotte's talented Madness Unity team, 2-0, in the championship final.  Pride catcher Ava Domzalski starred for the championship team, making solid if not spectacular play after play from behind the plate.  Well done, girls.

In the 12U consolation final, it was Hangtuf over the Ogemaw Outlaws, 10-2.

Two local teams put togther spectacular Sunday win streaks to reach the championship game.  Collin Reed's TC Thunder 14U team proved to be too much for the TC Waves 13U squad, winning 7-4 to take home the championship hardware.  Karly Roelofs, an all-tournament team selection, starred for the Thunder team.  The Waves rode the right arm of Allee Shepherd to three straight victories to reach the top two of the 16-team field.....tremendous performances by those two players, and by many, many players in the 14U division!

In the 14U Consolation final, Chris Johnson's Turnin' 2 squad edged the Linden Warriors, 6-5, to take home top honors in that group.

The 16U divison featured LOTS of close, competitive games, topped off by the Lady Lakers Behling team's 8-7 walkoff win over the Petoskey Blaze Blue team.  Angela Behling's squad, featuring many players from Boyne City and the surrounding area, battled back and forth with Pat Van Daele's team before pulling out a victory in the bottom of the sixth....lots of talent on the field in the championship game!

In the 16U consolation final, Jason Witt's Edge Fastpitch team got hot at the right time.  The Edge squad won all three of its games on Sunday--a reversal of results from their three Saturday games--including a 7-1 consolation final win over Kyle Bryant's Inter Lakes Pride squad that made an impressive Sunday run of its own.

The weather all weekend was PERFECT, and we hope all of the Cherry Capital Showdown participating teams enjoyed the tournament and their stay in Traverse City!

(Above, Tournament Champion TC Thunder 14U poses with their hardware)

_________________________________________

CHERRY CAPITAL SHOWDOWN CHAMPIONS

 2021

10U - Magic - Thacker

12U - 231 Fusion

14U - 231 Fusion

High School - Top Prospects Pladies

2020

10U - 231 Fusion Fastpitch

12U - 231 Fusion Fastpitch - Steimel

14U - Traverse City Waves - Shepherd

16U - Midland Lady Explorers - Augustine

2019

10U - Grand Rapid Diamonds

12U - Inter Lakes Pride Finnegan

12U Consolation - HangTuf

14U - TC Thunder 14U

14U Consolation - Turnin' 2 Johnson

16U - Lady Lakers Behling

16U Consolation - Edge Fastpitch

2018

10U - Elite 10U

12U - 231 Fusion Fastpitch

14U - 231 Fusion Fastpitch

16U - Lady Lakers and 231 Fusion Fastpitch (co-champs)  

2017

  10U - Michigan Expos 

12U - Garden City Gators 

14U - Michigan Nationals Stars 

16U - Grand Rapids Blaze Red  

2016 

10U - Turnin' 2  

12U - Diamonds

  14U - 231 Fusion  

16U - Morgan's Fastpitch   

2015 

10U -  Eagles Fastpitch 

12U -  Eagles Fastpitch 

12U -  Eagles Fastpitch 

16U - Great Lakes UNITED 

2014 

12U - TC Cherry Bombs

14U - Traverse City Thunder Red

16U - Traverse City Waves 

2013 

12U - Moran Iron Works Vulcans

14U - Sabercats Royal

16U - Oakland Edge 

Here it is!....the 2019 Cherry Capital Showdown All-Tournament Team.  Congratulations to those players who had exceptional performances over the weekend.  Coaches:  If you would like to add your players to the team, please email us with your two selections (JSBrunner777@yahoo.com)

10U Division

Aubrey Weiland - Alpena Thundercats

Paige Samp - Alpena Thundercats

Raegan Cardosa - Grand Rapids Diamonds

Jaslene McWilliams - Grand Rapids Diamonds

Sylvia Brower - Grand Rapids Diamonds

Jadyn Clore - Grand Rapids Diamonds

Emerson Poss - Livingston Prospects

Easton Lavery - Livingston Prospects

Taylor Illig - Ogemaw Outlaws

Autumn White - Ogemaw Outlaws

Kayden Skacal - Ogemaw Outlaws

Julia Mattson - Ogemaw Outlaws

Lily McCaffrey - Inter Lakes Pride 10U

Madison Farrand - Inter Lakes Pride 10U

Lizzy Ostrofsky - Inter Lakes Pride 10U

Abby Brooks - Inter Lakes Pride 10U

Ashlyn Cummings - TC Waves

Sarah Gaylord - TC Waves

Brighton Leder - Inter Lakes Pride 9U

Shaela Byrnes - Inter Lakes Pride 9U

12U Division

Natalia Garrido - Fanatics

Ava Wells - Fanatics

Grace Lewis - TC Thunder

Ella Schram - TC Thunder

Lilley Freeman - Livingston Prospects

Addyson Caten - Livingston Prospects

Ryen Clair - Madness 12U O'Connor

Abby Tupa - Madness 12U O'Connor

Kianna Vonk - Lakeshore Storm

Cora Mielke - Lakeshore Storm

Tori Briggs - Hangtuf

Morgan Near - Hangtuf

Kaylee Costello - Hangtuf

Kaitlyn Dickey - Hangtuf

Annika Arendt - 231 Fusion 

Hunter St. Peter - 231 Fusion

Anna Wood - 231 Fusion

Emma Arnold - Pirates Fastpitch Red

Lilly Yax - Pirates Fastpitch Red

Maddy Rehn - Inter Lakes Pride Finnegan

Charlie Lambert - Inter Lakes Pride Finnegan

Ava Domzalski - Inter Lakes Pride Finnegan

Marisa Merz - Inter Lakes Pride Finnegan

Aaliyah Dantzer - Ogemaw Outlaws

Hannah White - Ogemaw Outlaws

Kirsten Neubecker - Ogemaw Outlaws

Caleigh Brindley - Ogemaw Outlaws

14U Division

Karly Roelofs - TC Thunder 14U

Katie Lyon - TC Thunder 14U

Kailey Portenga - TC Thunder 14U

Shelby Bundy - TC Thunder 14U

Grace Laubenthal - Hangtuf

Aliya McFadden - Hangtuf

Nadya Vogel - Wizards Knockouts Gold

Alexia Moussaed - Wizards Knockouts Gold

Haley Mellec - Inter Lakes Pride Henderson

Jaden Henderson - Inter Lakes Pride Henderson

Sierra Billian - TC Thunder 13U

Mallory Smith - TC Thunder 13U

Abigail Nicholson - Ogemaw Outlaws

Tatum Neubecker - Ogemaw Outlaws

Jorja Fox - Ogemaw Outlaws

Ellen Roggenbeck - TC Waves

Abby Lindstrom - TC Waves

Izzy Covert - TC Waves

Allee Shepherd - TC Waves

Grace Cooper - Grand Rapids Diamonds 

Sophie Holverstott - Grand Rapids Diamonds

Mallory Buikema - Grand Rapids Diamonds

Megan Widner - Linden Warriors

Brooke Durkac - Linden Warriors

Leigha Sinn - Linden Warriors

Lydia Jacques - Linden Warriors

16U Division 

Emma Newlove - Lightning 15U

Madison Mitchell - Lightning 15U

Lexie Coxon - Kingsley Lady Stags

Alexa Sweat - Kingsley Lady Stags

Alexis Combs - Pirates Fastpitch

Sarah O'Hotzke - Pirates Fastpitch

Kate Wolshon - Lightning 16U

Lauren Kroll - Lightning 16U

Allison Urlaub - Alpena Thundercats

Allison DeRocher - Alpena Thundercats

Kiersten Ihrke - Edge Fastpitch

Abby Witt - Edge Fastpitch

Maya Lafnear - Edge Fastpitch

Gianna Rodriguez - Edge Fastpitch

Audrey Soares - Ogemaw Outlaws

Kennadu Zeier - Ogemaw Outlaws

Kyla Bryant - Inter Lakes Pride

Kennedy Ziga - Inter Lakes Pride

Grace Lentz - Petoskey Blaze Blue

Paige Postma - Petoskey Blaze Blue

Morgan Bickel - Petoskey Blaze Blue

Avery Zipp - Petoskey Blaze Blue

Josee Behling - Lady Lakers Behling

Katelyn Gabos - Lady Lakers Behling

Molly Kitson - Lady Lakers Behling

Brooklyn Fitzpatrick - Lady Lakers Behling

Congratulation, Ladies!

(Above, the TC Waves 13U squad shows off their  championship game medals)