Blaze come up just short at PONY nationals

Members of the PONY Nationals-qualifying Mason Dixon Blaze, are, from left: front row - Katie Shaak, Diamond Byers, Julie Garlick, Rachel Kline, Shayna Baughman; middle row - Bethany Stavrakas, Erin Garns, Amber Crider, Brittany Norling; and back row - Karah Knight, Shayla Murray and Jenna Crunkleton.

CARY, N.C. - Mason Dixon Blaze ended tournament season with tough 8-7 loss at PONY Nationals last week.

The Blaze 14U team was eliminated by Baseliners (Va.) suffering their second loss by one run in the elimination round. The Blaze led the game by a 7-3 score heading into the final inning, but were unable to hold the lead as the Baseliners took advantage of three errors along with three singles and a walk.

The Blaze offense pounded out 12 hits including three by Karah Knight. Katie Shaak (two doubles) and Brittany Norling each had two hits. Rachel Kline gave up six hits from the pitching circle.

Mason Dixon Blaze opened the elimination round with a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to eventual bracket champion Central Jersey Lightning on Monday afternoon. The Lightning pushed across a run in the top half of the first inning. The Lightning scored an unearned run in the top of the fourth inning to take a 2-0 lead. Mason Dixon tied the game in the bottom of the inning as Diamond Byers singled to open the inning. Julie Garlick doubled with one out putting runners on second and third with one out. Knight and Norling each singled to tie the game heading into the fifth inning.

Central Jersey scored an unearned run in the top half of the fifth inning, which would prove to be the final margin of victory. The Blaze put two runners on in the bottom half of the fifth inning, but were unable to score any runs. In the bottom half of the sixth inning Norling hit a deep fly ball off the fence that just fell short of tying the game. She was stranded at second base as the Blaze fell into the loser's bracket. The Blaze blasted 10 hits in the contest and the Lightning had four hits off Kline.

The Blaze bounced back with a 12-2 victory over Newburg Lady Vikings (New York) on Tuesday morning to keep their hopes alive. Erin Garns earned her second victory of the tournament. The Blaze took advantage of eight free passes and had nine hits scoring nine runs in the first two innings. Kline had two hits, including a bases clearing double in the fourth inning. Bethany Stavrakas also had two hits in the contest.

Mason Dixon finishes the season with an overall record of 36 wins, 21 losses, and one tie.