THE BELIEVERS AT THE MONSTER MASH TOURNAMENT
The 15th annual Monster Mash Tournament was on Oct 28th and 29th in Temple, Texas.
We then came back and scored five runs in the top of the last inning and held them scoreless with the bases loaded. It was a great finish to the day. I was very proud of how we did not quit and came hustling back to win.
I think I was even more proud the game before. We were down eight to nothing going into the fifth inning in our game against the Thunder. They scored three unearned runs on a dropped fly ball in the third inning to break up a scoreless duel, and then they had the grand slam in the fourth inning to take the game to eight to nothing.
So when we came into the dugout in the bottom of the fifth inning we could have just given up. But we had stood together in front of the dugout and yelled "Believe", and I did. We ended up with eleven strikeouts in five innings, they did have a good pitcher, but as Brittany led off the fifth inning with our first hit of the game and Bree followed with a triple, I could smell the Thunder fear. And Jonathan said he smelled it too. Even though we scored no more runs, I knew that the Thunder knew that we could take them on any given day. To our very last strike, our entire team was on the fence cheering for each other, and giving our best. I couldn’t have been more proud.
We did not leave the softball fields till after midnight, and most of took the long drive back home to Austin. Then up early Sunday morning to drive back north to Temple to play Killeen Storm. The same team we beat 3-2 in the Championship game at the StormTober Fest Tournament two weeks before.
In the bottom of the fourth inning The Believers were leading 3-1. A player was on 3rd base and another was on 1st when the 3rd batter hit a ball to shortstop Jamie Gandy and threw it to 3rd baseman Sabrina Martinez for a double play. Only 3 minutes was left on the clock when the Killeen Coach sent the runner on 2nd base to leave the bag before the pitcher was ready. This forced a 3rd out and the game to continue for another inning.
Killeen battled hard to get our first 3 batters out. The Believers battled back when Bridgett Coronado only pitched 7 strikes and 1 ball to the first 3 batters. The first batter hit to our pitcher who threw an easy out to first baseman Bree Williams. The second batter hit to 2nd baseman Haylee Payne who threw it to first baseman, and the 3rd and final out of the game was caught by the shortstop Jamie Gandy.
So after beating the Killeen Storm for the second straight tournament, it was disappointing going down without a struggle against the Sluggers.
Saturday we playied on Gandy Field - Jamie Gandy said that was a great sign.
Our first pool game was at 9:15 a.m. against Texas Missfits. We won 4-3.
1st inning Sabrina hit a single and Brittany Naumann hit a double.
2nd inning Bree hit a double, and Chayla hit a single. Bree scored our first run.
In the 3rd inning Brittany Childress lead off with an awesome in park home run for our 2nd run. Haylee's great eye for the ball got her on base with a full count walk. Jamie, Sabrina, Brittany Naumann and Bridgett Coronado all hit singles. Haylee and Sabrina scored runs.
Defense: Bridgett Coronado was our starting pitcher. With a 2-1 count the first batter hit a triple. The next 3 batters were all strike outs.
The 2nd inning pitcher was Jenny Keener. The first three batters all hit to shortstop Jamie Gandy who threw all three outs to first baseman.
Jenny continued pitching the 3rd inning to 3 batters before time was called.
Second pool game was at 11:45 am against the Killeen Storm.
Sabrina walked on a 3-1 count in the 1st inning.
In the 3rd inning Kristy Zanella got a single hit, and Reagan and Haylee Payne both walked.
Jenny Keener pitched the 1st inning without anyone scoring.
3rd baseman threw to 1st baseman for our first out.
Our pitcher Jenny, threw to 1st baseman for our 2nd out.
Jenny walked the next 2 batters and striked out the 5th batter for our third out.
In the 2nd inning Sabrina Martinez pitched to 7 batters with 5 runs coming in to end the inning. She struck out one batter
Chayla Morgan pitched her first pool game in the 3rd inning. She pitched to 5 batters with 2 outs before the game was called with no one scoring.
Our first game was against Abilene Thunder at 5:15 p.m.
Their pitcher Talena pitched to 17 batters with 11 strike outs. This was the best pitcher we had faced during the fall season.
In the 2nd inning Brittany Naumann hit to 3rd baseman who threw her out at 1st, and Bree hit for the 2nd out. 
In the 5th inning Brittany Naumann made the first hit for a single. Bree Williams followed with a triple, batting in our only run for the game. Bridgett Coronado hit the ball back to the pitcher.
Defense: 1st inning 2nd baseman Haylee Payne fielded 2 balls to throw the out to first baseman. The 3rd out was caught by left fielder.
Our pitcher struck out the 2nd batter, and the next 2 outs were made by 2nd baseman Haylee to throws to first baseman. 
In the 3rd inning Haylee continues making outs by fielding the first hit to throw the out at first baseman. The next batter hits a fly ball to Haylee for out two. The next 4 batters hit singles and score 3 runs before a fly ball was caught by third baseman Sabrina for our 3rd out. 
4th inning the 3rd batter was out trying to run to first after running on her 3rd strike. With bases loaded the next batter hit a grand slam making the score 8-0. The next batter hit straight up for the catcher to catch the out. The following batter hit to shortstop Jamie Gandy who threw the last out of the inning to first baseman.
5th inning the first batter striked out. The 2nd batter hit a single, but the 3rd batter hit to shortstop Jamie Gandy who threw the ball to Haylee Payne to get the runner out at 2nd base. Runners were on 3rd and 2nd base when Jamie caught the 3rd out. 3 runners were left on base without any scores for the inning. The game ended 8-1 putting us in the losers bracket.
Our 2nd game was against San Antonio MisFits
1st inning Jamie got a single, and stole 2nd base during a passed ball. Sabrina walked. Jamie stole home for the first run of the game.
2nd inning Bridgett got a double, and Haylee hit a single.
Bree walked the 3rd inning, and Jenny's good hit 
got Bree out number 3. The Misfits were leading 3 to 1.
At the bottom of the 3rd inning the first batter of the Misfits got a single. The next 3 batters walked bringing in one run. There was only 17 minutes left when Bridgett Coronado came in to pitch with bases loaded. Her first pitch was thrown with 13 minutes left. Bridgett struck out the next 2 batters with only 6 pitches. Her 3rd pitch to the third batter she faced was hit to our 2nd baseman Haylee who threw her out at first for our 3rd out. 
The 4th inning was our comeback. Bridgett lead with a single, Chayla followed with another single. Brittany Childress walked to load the bases. Jamie hit a sacrifice ball for Bridgett to score our second run. 
Sabrina Martinez and Brittany Naumann both hit doubles, and Bree hit a single to score 5 runs and win the ballgame.
We started our 3rd game against Killeen Storm at 11:15 Sunday morning.
1st inning our first three batters all hit the ball for infield outs.
2nd inning Brittany Naumann and Breona Williams started us off with singles, and both stole bases with passed balls when Bridgett was up to bat. Bridgett slammed her ball between left and center field loading the bases.
Pflugerville CenTex Sluggers - CLICK HERE to read CenTex Sluggers eteamz website.
Map to Temple Monster Mash Tournament
OK Have Some Fun....
To help get ready for the Monster Mash tournament I added the words to the song "Monster Mash". This was a popular song in 1962 when my Mom was a little girl. She loved the funny dance they use to do while the song played.
My Mom, Dad, Jonathan and I do not celebrate Halloween, but this is a silly fun song. I found out that Jenny, Hana and Chayla do not celebrate Halloween also. So let's Mash those Monsters right into the ground
and let our light shine during the tournament.
I was working in the lab, late one night.
When my eyes beheld a eerie sight,
for my monster from the slab began to rise
and suddenly to my surprise. He did the mash.....
He did the mash, he did the monster mash,
It was a smash, it was a graveyard smash,
He did the mash, it caught on in a flash,
He did the mash, he did the monster mash
From my laboratory in the castle east,
to the master bedroom, where the vampires feast.
The ghouls all came from their humble abode, to
get a jolt from my electrodes. They did the mash......
The Zombies were having fun, the party had just begun.
The guests included Wolfman, Dracula and his Son.
The scene was rocking, all were digging sounds
Igor on chains, backed by his babe hounds.
The coffin baggers, were about to arrive with their
vocal group, The "Crypt Kicker Five."
They played the Mash......
Out from his coffin, Drac's voice did ring.
Seems he was troubled by just one thing.
He opened the lid and shook his fist, and said,
"What ever happened to the Transylvania Twist?"
It's now the Mash.....
Now everything's cool, Drac's a part of the band, and
my Monster Mash is the hit of the land. For the living,
this mash was meant too. When you get to my door, tell
them Boris sent you! Then you can Mash.......
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