Belles ring out title
By Adam R. Knapp
sports@therepublic.com The USSSA Fastpitch World Series 18-and-under championship game was the completion of unfinished business for the Racine (Wis.) Belles. Last year, the Belles fi nished fourth. This year, Racine stormed through bracket play by holding every team scoreless, including a 5-0 victory against the Cincinnati Storm in the championship Sunday.
“We learned last year confidence in ourselves. We’re just as good as anyone out here,” Racine coach Dennis Brand said. “They knew what to expect. As you move on it gets tougher and tougher.”
The Belles scored three times in a wild third inning and added two more runs in the fi fth to secure the title.
Power pitching from University of Minnesota-bound Alissa Koch and timely hitting were too much for the Storm, who battled through four games in the loser’s bracket Sunday to reach the final.
A loss to the Belles earlier in the tournament placed the Storm in the loser’s bracket.
“The defense stayed on their toes,” Brand said.
“I don’t know why teams don’t try to bunt on us more (to offset Koch’s pitching), and they tried it to catch us flat-footed but we never were.”
Koch allowed just two hits — both occurred in the sixth inning — and three baserunners in a dominating performance.
It was a sweet ending for a player who was cut by the Belles at 12U and played outfi eld for Racine at 14U.
“They never let me pitch so that was extra motivation to get better,” Koch said.
“A lot of practice (helped me improve). I was very determined to prove that I could do it.”
Taking advantage
The ability to capitalize on opportunities benefited Racine in its three-run third inning Sunday.
After a base-on-error, a single and a groundout, the Belles scored as Sam Brand singled. She was followed by Kim Wachholder, who doubled to score Brand and Ellie McCarthy.
Brand scored again in the fifth inning after reaching on an error. Ariel Adelsen drove her in with a single to right field.
Wachholder then scored as Lindsey Mikulecky reached on an error.
Cincinnati threatened in the fifth inning, but never got a runner past second base as the Belles’ defense closed the door to earn its first championship.
“(Last year) was definitely extra motivation,” Koch said.