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…)

After losing a pair of games on Saturday, the Siskiyou Heat U-14s battled their way through the Consolation bracket at the Western World Series in Newburg, Ore. on Sunday to bring home the consolation prize.

The Heat were down 5-3 against Vancouver, Washington Faith (different than the Faith team they played earlier in the tourney) going into the final inning, but scored three runs to win, 6-5. Audali Avila had the game-winning RBI, Amber Andrighetto scored the winning run. Lacie Landrum scored the tying run. Jeni Cheffey, who came on in relief for starting pitcher Riva Martin, notched the win.

Stats:
Leah McAdams 1/1
Lacie Landrum 2/3, 2 R
Kendall Moser 1/2, 2B, 1/2
Abby Hansen 1/2, R
Jasmin Bingham 1/2, R
Alex Peruzzi 1/2, R
Laura Ward 1/2
Audali Avila 1/3

The Heat started their march through the bracket with a thumping of the Staton Sparks, 9-0, on Sunday morning. The Heat rapped out 11 hits, and only allowed one Sparks base-runner to advance as far as third base.

Among the highlights was a “great catch” in deep center field, and throw to third base for a double play by Jasmin Bingham, according to Coach Rick Landrum.

Stats:
Chantel Fraser 2/3, 2 R
Leah McAdams 2/3, R
Lacie Landrum 2/4, 2 R
Kendall Moser 1/2, 2B, R, BB
Audali Avila 1/2, R
Jeni Cheffey 1/3, R
Jasmin Bingham 1/3
Alex Peruzzi 1/4, R
Riva Martin WP, 2 H

The Heat then nipped the Albany X-plosion, 6-5, with 2nd baseman Kendall Moser making a game ending over the shoulder catch.

Stats:
Jasmin Bingham 3/3, R
Audali Avila 2/2
Leah McAdams 2/2, 2R
Amber Andrighetto 2/2
Lacie Landrum 3/4, R
Laura Ward 1/1, HBP
Alex Peruzzi 2/3, R
Jeni Cheffey 1/2, R
Kendall Moser 1/3
Riva Martin WP, 3 K (more…)

The Siskiyou Heat U-18 girls ASA softball team beat Grants Pass, 4-3, and then smoked Excaliber, 9-1, today in Grants Pass.

Thanks to Michelle Rupert for the scores.

Story and photo by Bill Pieruccini

The Siskiyou Heat U10 team traveled to Redding on July 22 to meet the Chico Starz in a double header. The Heat lost both games, but not without pushing the Starz to bring in their best pitcher to put the games away.

The Heat’s bats again improved. Kacey Cain and Isabella Powers got their first competitive league hits joined by Lily Hitchcock and Quincie Cross to put pressure on the Starz.

After the game Heat Coach Sara Jones said, “I am proud of the girls. I give them credit for playing against older and more experienced girls and for playing with only eight players.” (more…)