The Siskiyou Heat Girls Softball Club met in January, and newly elected President Mike Jones outlined three goals for the coming year.

The first was to improve communication with the club and parents of players. The club needs to develop not only the players but parents who are also committed to not only the specific team their players are on, but also to the club as a whole. It’s important that the parents look toward an active involvement in the 13 plus positions that make up the club’s working leadership.

The second goal is to have all teams participate in at least three tournaments together. Again, this brings all teams together and provides team support at all levels. Ten and under players can see their future in the club and older girls can give the younger teams the benefit of their experience and support. (more…)

The Siskiyou Heat Girls Softball Club will have a board and member meeting Wednesday, August 24 at 6:00 pm at Round Table Pizza in Yreka.

Team season activity will be reviewed and suggestions for improving the program for next season will be solicited.

Ticket sales and preparation for a fund raising raffle and drive-through dinner in October to be discussed.

For more info cal 467-4033.

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Photos by Dorena Moser

After pool play, it didn’t look good for the Siskiyou Heat U-18s at the NAFA Western Nationals held in Newburg, OR last weekend. The Heat lost both of their games on opening day and had to face the number one seed in double elimination bracket play the next day. That one went better, but it was still a big fat “L” as they lost 7-6 in eight innings.

However, the Heat didn’t start packing. Instead, they started hammering. Three consecutive wins, two by shutout, and the Heat found themselves in a semi-final game. The Heat won the three games, 7-6, 9-0, and 3-0.

While they fell in the semi-final game, 1-0, to the Kent Bulldogs in eight innings, the Heat showed they had the will power to overcome adversity and took home the third place trophy, and the Sportsmanship Award.

Former Yreka High School standout Beth Franklin came home with an all-tourney award, as did Tulelake’s Cierra Gribble and Yreka’s Kendall Moser.

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Submitted by Amber “Nails” Sinnott

The Siskiyou Heat U-12 team really represented themselves well two weeks ago at the Cooper the Dog tournament in Eugene.

The first game was scheduled for 2:15 pm on Saturday but was moved back to 3:00 because of the rain. The Heat’s first game was against Oregon Panthers, with the Heat winning, 9-5. Pitcher McKenzie Pellizer was right on and had nine strikeouts and went 1/2 at the plate with a walk. Alyssa Haas and Shannon White both went 2/3. Shyanne Rose (shortie), Molly Schaeffer and Jenna Toolanen went 3/3. Abi Young went 1/1 with a walk, along with Jessica O’Sullivan getting on base with a walk. The Heat also had tough defense all around along with the help from Kathryn Stahmann, Chyanne Spencer, Gabi Rheim, Emily Dienger, and Anissa Guvench. (more…)

Article and photo submitted by Bill Pieruccini

After winning or placing in the last three tournaments, the Siskiyou Heat U-10 ASA softball team was on its way to a top finish again at the Cooper the Dog Tournament in Junction City, OR. However, rain got in the way.

Rain delayed pool play two hours on Saturday, and began again early Sunday morning, flooding the fields and causing tournament play to be canceled.

On Saturday, the Heat played the West Valley Herricanes (Salem area) and defeated them 4-2. Quincie Cross pitched an excellent game. Every player contributed to the win. Neina Hatch is one of the fastest on the bases, stealing and scoring in both of Saturday’s games. (more…)

Do you think they are happy ? Coach Sara Jones tries to control a happy bunch of Heat players after winning 1st place at the Mercury Madness tournament in Redding. Pictured clockwise from Coach Jones, Kylie Mendes, Bella Powers, Cailie Rizzardo, Nina Hatch, Quincie Cross, Katie White, Natalie Mendes, #1 Autumn Giannini, (Out of sight behind Coach Jones, Morgan Collins and Tori Daugherty- with just as big a smiles)

Article and photos submitted by Bill Pieruccini

Coach Sara Jones took her U-10 Siskiyou Heat ASA softball team to the 99-degree heat of Big League Dreams in Redding on July 2 for the “Mercury Madness Open Invitational” fast pitch tournament. The team won two out of three games beating the number two team, the Redding All Stars twice, 6-3 and 11-4, to claim the tourney crown.

Quincie Cross was the winning pitcher in the two victories, notching 16 strikeouts. Autumn Giannini caught all three games and had three hits and 3 RBI, Katie White also had three hits followed by Bella Powers, Tori Daugherty and Kylie Mendes with 2 hits each. Cailie Rizzardo scored two runs and Morgan Collins, Lily Hitchcock, Natalie Mendes and Nina Hatch also contributed with a hit.

First Base Coach Blake Powers said the artificial turf was like a frying pan, “you could feel the heat through your shoes, the girls did a great job considering the conditions”. (more…)

Article submitted by Nick Sinnott

The Siskiyou Heat U-12 ASA softball team went to Redding for the weekend of June 18 and 19. The sun was out and it was a hot weekend, but the ladies pulled through with a second place trophy.
The first game was played Saturday and ended in a 4-4 tie against Redding Vernon. Alyssa Haas, Shyanne Rose, and Emily Deinger scored runs. Rose was the pitcher for the first game. Alyssa Haas went 2/3. Jenna Toolanen made some plays at short stop, and there were also many plays at first by Shannon White.

Game two was against the Mist. The Mist came out with the 9-8 victory. Anissa Guvench went 2/2 while Shannon White went 1/2. White was also the pitcher for the game. White was a key player on defense recording strikeouts and other defensive plays.

Saturday’s third game was against the traveling Willits Hot Shots. Jenna Toolanen went 1/2, and scored twice. Shannon White was the starting pitcher, while Shyanne Rose came in to relieve her in the second inning. The Heat came out with the win of 11-9. (more…)

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Siskiyou Heat U-14 team. Top row (l-r): Alex Peruzzi, Britney Galarsa, Jeanna Turner, Leah Macadam, Kaylee King, Megan Hassel. Middle row: Breanna Ruelas, Chantel Fraser, Emily Thomas, Amber Andrighetto, Taylor Brown. Bottom row: Courtney Huston, Kendall Moser. Not Pictured: Abby Hansen.

Photo by Dorena Moser. Info provided by Coach Jeff Huston

The Siskiyou Heat U-14 team took 2nd place in the Silver Bracket at the Grants Pass Boatnik Fastpitch Tournament, last weekend. The Heat went 3-2 overall at the tourney.

Game results and stats

Game-1: Siskiyou Heat 13 – Ashland Bandits 0

Kaylee King 3IP, 0ER, 2Ks

Kendall Moser 1IP, 0ER, 1K

Chantel Fraser 2-3, 1Run, 1RBI

Courtney Huston 2-4, Triple, 2Runs, 1RBI

Kendall Moser 1-2. 1Run, 1RBI

Alex Peruzzi 2-3, Dbl, 2Runs

Kaela Slabaugh 1-1, 2Sac, 3RBI

Abby Hansen 1-3, 2runs

Breanna Ruelas 1-3, Dbl, 1Run, 1RBI

Megan Hassel 1-3, Dbl, 2Runs, 2RBI

Leah Macadam 1-3, 1RBI. (more…)

Siskiyou Heat U-10 team. Top row (l-r): Coach Blake Powers, Head Coach Sara Jones, Coach Brandon Burns, Coach Bob Giannini. Standing: Neina Hatch, Katelyn White, Isabella Powers. Kneeling: Autumn Giannini, Natalie Mendes, Victoria Daugherty, Quincie Cross. Sitting: Lily Hitchcock, Kylie Mendes, Morgan Collins

Article and photo submitted by Bill Pieruccini

Head Coach Sara Jones brought her U-10 Siskiyou Heat Team to Grants Pass to play in the Boatnik fast pitch softball tournament. This was the first tournament experience for over half of the team. On Saturday, May 28 the team participated in “pool play” which established seeding for the Sunday tournament. The Heat faced teams from Grants Pass, Eagle Point and North Medford.

On Sunday the Heat was seeded 5th and third-seeded Grants Pass Fast Pitch and won 17-3. They then played the top-seeded Jr. Eagles from Eagle Point. After six innings the score was tied 1-1 However, the Jr. Eagles prevailed by a final score of 6-2. (more…)

The Siskiyou Red Hots. Back row (l-r): Managers Tom and Mike. Third row: Matt, Ryan, Roy, Mike Jr., Marshall, Dan, Matt, Assistant Coach John. Second row: Josh, Ted, Chris, Sean, Nick. Front row- Head coaches Sara and Robert, Assistant coach Cicily.

Article submitted by: Cicily Crechriou

The Siskiyou County Special Olympics team traveled to Yuba City last weekend to compete in the annual softball tournament. The Siskiyou Red Hots blanked Butte County 7-0 in the first game and defeated the Mendocino Yellow Jackets 14-13 in their second game. Through the course of the tournament each of Siskiyou’s athletes were able to put the ball in play, contributing to the Red Hots offense, a hefty feat for any team.

One of Siskiyou’s head coaches, Robert Girdner, praised the athletes dedication and fight commenting, “We were down 10-3 going into the 3rd inning against Mendocino when our bats finally came alive. Solid hitting and good base running resulted in our athletes scoring nine runs that inning.” (more…)

2010 North Valley U-18 Rapids. Back row (l-r) Tonya Walker, Lauren Vestal, Coach Hardy Vestal, Manager Tito Cervantes, Coach Richard Walker, Kayla Spini, Emily Stokes. Front row: Haley Harris, Ally Bryant, Tori Weatherford, Cassidee Turpen, Taylor Gerhardt, Molly McWilliams

Rapids U-10s have successful season

Submitted article and photo

The North Valley Rapids played their hearts out last week at the ASA U-18 “A” Nationals, held in Hemet, California. The 2010 Nationals started on Sunday, August 1, and the Rapids played up to Friday night, August 6, before running out of steam after a hard, grueling schedule.

Two players from Siskiyou County played on the Rapids, Tori Weatherford and Kayla Spini, both from Mt. Shasta High School.

The Rapids started out the bracket play with a loss against American Athletics out of San Diego, 4-1. That set up a long road in the loser bracket. The Rapids then started playing, like there was no tomorrow. They kept winning one game after another, coming from behind in every game. (more…)

Photos were taken by Jan Sinnott at the 2010 NAFA (Northern American Fast pitch Association) Western World Series Tournament in Newburg, Oregon last weekend, where the Siskiyou Heat U-18s closed out their season. Beth Franklin and Sierra Skeen were All-tournament selections.

“Great representation from across Siskiyou County. Again, this years group were solid hardworking girls who improved their playing skills to another level this season. Looking forward to next year with eight returning players,” said Coach Nick Sinnott. (more…)

Siskiyou County residents Sydney Cross and Ashley Cox are competing with the North Valley Rapids at the ASA U-10 Western Nationals fast pitch softball championships in Medford this week.

The Redding based Rapids earned the right to play in the Western Nationals by placing second at the NorCal ASA Championships in Sunnyvalle earlier this summer. The Rapids tuned up for the tournament with a championship at the Wine Valley Classic in Napa two weeks ago. Prior to that, they took second in a tourney in Sacramento and won the Mercury Madness Tournament.

So far, however, the Rapids are having a tough time at the Nationals, losing both games of pool play in decisive fashion.

The Rapids played a strong defensive game in the opening round of the championship bracket on Thursday, before falling 1-0 in the bottom of the seventh inning to the Junior Eagles on a bloop base hit to left field. (more…)

Article and photo by Bill Pieruccini

The Siskiyou Heat U-10s traveled south to play the Redding Rebels. The Rebels, showing their experience and excellent pitching, defeated the Heat. The game was called because of a time limit after the Heat’s Lily Hitchcock scored their first run following a single and several stolen bases. (more…)

All photos by Dorena Moser (more…)

By Nick Sinnott

This year’s Siskiyou Heat U-18 team is composed of returning players Bethany Franklin (pitcher/infielder) and Lizzy Stone (2nd base) from Yreka. From Weed we have Sierra Skeen, (shortstop/catcher) and Madison “Maddy” Moser (right field). From Etna, there’s Teal Rimmer (left field), and from Tulelake Michelle Rupert (third base/pitcher).

This year’s team also has a strong group of new players to the ASA program from Etna, including Jennifer Hanes (centerfield/catcher), Rhyan Smith (first base/outfield), Melissa Berry (first base/catcher), Rachel Lyons (outfield/pitcher). From Tulelake we have Alexandria “Lexi” Greenbank, (first base/outfield).

The U-18s have been developing with games on Wednesday evenings in Redding. Coaches Mike Jones and Nick Sinnott have been moving players around to find the best team combination.

The team spirit has been good and each player has responded well to the changes.

The Heat recently played in the Junction City, Ore. Cooper the Dog tournament with the other Siskiyou Heat age groups (U-10 and U-14). (more…)