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.

The Board is enthusiastic in accomplishing the third goal which is to host a tournament in Siskiyou County. This brings in teams from other areas and provides the opportunity for many who support the Heat to attend games locally and see the girls play. Many of our games are played in other cities which makes it inconvenient or impossible for many to attend. In addition a local tournament brings financial help to the team and community as participating teams support local businesses during their stay.

The Heat will meet again on January 25 at 6:00 pm at Round Table Pizza in Yreka. All are welcome, and qualified coaches are always needed on all levels. Signups will be in early February so keep watching for dates and times. Game and tournament scheduling depends on players commitment and this scheduling will be done also in early February.

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.

Editor’s note: Great program to be involved in. Check it out and see what you can do help the Heat, and the young ladies that play fast pitch softball.

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.

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.

Game two started almost immediately after the first contest, with Alyssa Haas the starting pitcher. Haas had three strikeouts and did her job by putting the ball in play for her defense behind her to take action. There were plays made by Jenna Toolanen, Abi Young, Anissa Guvench, Shannon White, and Molly Schaeffer. Haas, Shortie and White all went 1/2. Many of the other girls at the plate were walked to get on base, helping the Heat win 9-3.

The Heat defense was stingy all day, making great plays throughout the day.

Game three was supposed to be Sunday morning at 10:30. However, all the coaches received a message early that morning that the rest of the tournament was canceled due to heavy rain. Everyone was upset about this. It was personally great to see the girls still put on their uniforms begging to play anyone who wanted to play in the rain. All in all, the U-12 Heat did a fabulous job and were no doubt going to take the 1st place trophy home to show off.

After the Cooper the Dog tourney, the Heat traveled to Redding to battle the Redding All Stars. The Heat had gotten the better of the Redding All Stars at a previous tournament, but since then it had been the Redding team taking two in a row from the Heat. McKenzie “Lou” Pellizer came out throwing strikes again, and got a quick out but a combination of well placed hits and infield errors gave the Redding team a 3-run lead in the top of the first.

The Heat battled back to score four runs of their own in the bottom of the first and never looked back. The defense got solid and “Lou” Pellizer pitched solid to take the win.

Next up is the “Summer Fun” tournament scheduled for August 6-7 in Yuba City.

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.

The Heat lost its second game against the Medford Dirt Dawgs, but stayed close until the last inning.

Had play continued on Sunday, the Heat would have been a second seed coming out of pool play.

“The girls were really disappointed Sunday. They put on their uniforms just in case tournament officials changed the cancellation,” said Assistant Coach Bob Giannini.

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”.

The team will next be competing in the “Cooper the Dog” tournament in Junction City, OR. July 16-17.

Siskiyou Heat U-10 First Place Champions: Standing (l-r): Nina Hatch, Katie White, Cailie Rizzardo; Kneeling: Quincie Cross, Tori Daugherty, Bella Powers, Morgan; Sitting: Autumn Giannini, Kylie Mendes, Natalie Mendes (Not pictured - Lilly Hitchcock)

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.

Sunday was single elimination bracket play. The first game was against Redding Vernon again. Shyanne Rose was the winning pitcher with five strikeouts, while Jenna Toolanen made some key plays at shortstop. Toolanen also went 2/3 at the plate. Rose , Shannon White, Alyssa Haas, McKenzie Pellizzer, Emily Deinger, Jessica O’Sullivan, and Abi Young all went 1/2. The Siskiyou Heat came out with the victory of 7-5 to go forward to the championship game.

The Championship game was against Mud River. The girls were up against a tough pitcher, with speed they had not seen yet. Toolanen started with a base hit and went 3/3 that game. Shannon White went 1/3 with a double, and McKenzie Pellizzer went 1/3 as well. Alyssa Haas was the pitcher with six strikeouts. The Heat lost 10-8.

Every Wednesday the U-12 Siskiyou Heat goes to Redding to keep up on games to stay prepared for the next tournament the weekend of July 16 and 17 in Junction City, Oregon.

All photos by Dorena Moser.

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.

Game-2: Siskiyou Heat 18 – North Valley Fast Pitch 3

Kaylee King 1IP, 0ER, 1ks

Kendall Moser 2IP, 1ER, 4ks

Chantel Fraser 1-2, 1Run

Courtney Huston 2-2, 2Runs

Kendall Moser 3-3, Triple, 2Runs, 2RBI

Alex Peruzzi 1-1, HR, 1Run

Abby Hansen 1-2, 2RBI, 2Run

Breanna Ruelas 2-2, HR, 2Runs, 2RBI

Leah Macadam 2-2, 2Runs, 1RBI

Megan Hassel 2-2, 1Run, 3RBI

Amber Andrighetto scored twice and Jeanna Turner scored in the win.

Game-3: Siskiyou Heat 2 – Grants Pass Fast Pitch 6

Kendall Moser 5IP, 9ks, 3ER

Chantel Fraser 1-3, 1Run

Kendall Moser 1-3

Alex Peruzzi 1-3, 1 Run

Kaela Slabuagh 1-3

Abby Hansen 1-3

After Saturday pool play the Siskiyou Heat had a record of 2-1 and were the top seed in the Silver Bracket on Sunday.

Game-4: Siskiyou Heat 11 – Douglas Co. Fast Pitch 7

Kaylee King 2IP, 4ER, 1K

Kendall Moser 3IP, 2ER, 4Ks

Chantel Fraser 3-3, Dbl, 1RBI, 3Runs

Courtney Huston 1-3, 1RBI, 2Runs

Taylor Brown 1-2, 2Runs, 1RBI

Alex Peruzzi 1-2, 1Run

Kendall Moser 2-4, Triple, 4RBI, 2Runs

Breanna Ruelas 2-3, 1RBI

Leah Macadam 2-3, 1Run

Championship Game: Siskiyou Heat 1 – Crater (Blk) Comets 5

Kaylee King 3IP, 1ER, 1K

Kendall Moser 3IP, 0ER, 3Ks

Chantel Fraser 3-4, 1RBI

Courtney Huston 1-4

Taylor Brown 1-3, Triple

Kendall Moser 1-3

Alex Peruzzi 1-3

Breanna Ruelas scored the only run.

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.

The Heat U-10 team ended up taking 3rd place in the tournament. Heat pitcher Quincie Cross had 33 strikeouts over the weekend. Katelyn White made it all the way around the bases after a solid hit and several defensive errors. On Saturday, Isabella-Bird Powers led in the hitting department. Every girl got their bat on the ball and contributed to the Heat’s 3rd place finish. The next tournament for the Siskiyou Heat U-10s will be June 11/12 at US Cellular Park in Medford.