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The WI Lightning 16U Fastpitch Team are the 2011 NSA “B†World Series Girls Softball Champions.
Twelve girls from Wisconsin and Illinois came together to win the NSA “B†World Series held in Hamilton County, Indiana just outside of Indianapolis. WI Lightning 16U defeated Team Nike from Fishers, IN 6-0 for the title. The World Series began with the Opening Ceremonies on Monday, July 25 with play beginning on Tuesday, July 26 culminating with the Championship Game on Saturday, July 30.
The WI Lightning 16U team is comprised of three players from Westosha Central High Schoopl, three players from Waterford Union High School, two players from Muskego High School, and one player each from Badger, Wilmot Union, Grayslake and Johnsburg high schools. During the week, WI Lightning was the only team of the 44 16U teams at the World Series to go undefeated (8-0) outscoring their opponents 58-14. The team combined to have a batting average of .381 with solo homeruns coming from Alyssa Helwig and Sarah Fonk and a three-run homerun coming off the bat of Breanna Baer. Other players contributing big to the offense included Jessica Cattani (.462, 7 RBI); MacKenzie Wagner (4 doubles, 4 RBI); Sara Terrian (.600, 5 RBI); and lead-off hitter Brittany Blazich (.526, 11 stolen bases and 10 runs scored). The pitching staff of Maddie Szalewski, Jorie Brenner and Sarah Fonk teamed with catcher Sara Terrian, who caught and called every game, to strike-out 37 batters during the tournament holding their opponents to 38 hits with a combined opponent batting average of .197 and a combined ERA of 2.18. The defense was also solid, turning 7 double-plays during the week. Defensive stand-outs include first base Maggie McMullin (51 put-outs, no errors); second base Stephanie Parks (18 put-outs and 11 assists) and right fielder Jennifer Klima (1.000 fielding average).
Opponents and game scores: (Score) Tri-City Thunder, IL (8-0); Indy Fusion, IN (9-4); Tinley Park Rockers Gold, IL (11-1); Central IL Diamonds, IL (9-1); Hit Squad, IL (6-5); Team Nike, IN (3-2); IL Extreme, IL (6-1); Team Nike, IN (6-0).
