9:00a.m. - The girls and their families met for breakfast after having a fun evening of Poker, Karoke, swimming, and watching movies. Frank T. was the big winner in the Texas Hold-em showdown. Meanwhile, the ladies went out in their Hawaiian shirts to the local casino and enjoyed lots of laughs listening to Karoke entertainers. Pam S., Sue T, and Pam W. played it safe on slots. Sue T. won big at the nickel machines, while Joy T. and Lisa S. were the rolling machines at the craps tables, but the high roller of the evening was Grandma Rose who put the rest to shame.

12:45p.m. - Diamonds and coaches met in the lobby to caravan to the Janicki softball complex for pregame warm-ups. It was another gorgeous WA day - 75 degrees with a light breeze.

2:00p.m. - Game Four, Poway Diamonds vs. Oregon Shockwave
L.D. was on the mound with 4 strike-outs and only one hit. The defense held strong and kept Oregon scoreless. The offense was amazing with a total of 12 hits. Offensive players of the game were Shelley T. who went 3 for 3 plus a base on balls, Chloe C. went 3 for 3 with an RBI and Mandy S. who also went 3 for 3 with 3 RBIs including the best hit of the game, a triple down the third base line. RBI doubles by Laurel D., Stephanie R. and Nicole J. (who also laid down two beautiful sacrifice bunts). Final score: Poway Diamond 11 - Oregon Shockwave 0.

4:30p.m. - Game Five, Poway Diamonds vs. Great Falls Selects from Montana. (The first team Poway has ever faced that wore the same uniform colors.)

Kristen K. pitching against Montana
(Click for larger image)

Kristen K. was on the mound with 4 strike-outs and 2 only two hits. The defense remained strong making 13 defensive plays keeping Great Falls scoreless. The outstanding plays of the game were both made by Becca T. (RF) in the second inning. She gunned a runner out at First Base from right field and made an spectacular running catch on the following play on a ball hit over her head. The offensive players of the game were Cara T. who was 3 for 4 with 1 RBI and scored a run, Shelley T. who went 2 for 4 including a base clearing 3 RBI double that broke the game open. She also scored 2 runs. Kristen K. and Chloe C. chipped in 2 hits a piece, each bringing in a RBI. Final Score: Poway Diamonds 10 - Great Falls 0.

Comments from Great Falls: - This was the first time in over 50 games that Great Falls had been 'mercied' in a game!. They also said they were going to invite the Diamonds for a BBQ, until Becca shut down their hits to right field. This has been one of the classiest teams the Diamonds have ever faced. Some of their players even joined the Poway fans in the stands to cheer them on during their next game.

6:30p.m. - Game 6 Poway Diamonds vs. Visalia, CA Sprits

Diamonds Elated after Game Six Win
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In the most intense game of the tournament thus far, the Poway Diamonds put Poway, CA on the map. They showed the intensity, dedication and team spirit of a true champion team. L.D. was back on the mound. The Spirits opened the game with a lead off bunt single. The runner advanced to second on the next play. The Diamonds showed off their defensive strength with a grounder fielded by Shelley T. (SS) who threw to Amy S. (1B) for the first out followed by Amy S. firing the ball to Chloe C. who tagged out the runner trying to advance to third base for the second out of a fabulous double play. In bottom of the first inning Poway scored their lead off runner. Shelley T. got on base with a walk and was advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Nicole J. Shelley T. then stole third and Cara T. hit her in. In the second inning, the Spirits showed their true character by trying to take out our catcher, Cara T., with a violent collision at home plate. Cara T. left the game briefly but was determined to return and win. The run scored putting the Spirits in the lead, 2 to 1. Both teams, led by strong defense and great pitching kept the score unchanged until the 6th inning. L.D. threw smoke and the Poway defense guarded their turf sending the Spirits down 1, 2, 3 in the 4th, 5th and 6th innings. In the bottom of the 6th inning, Kristen K. led off the Poway comeback with a single, following by a single from Chloe C. and a RBI hit single by Mandy S. scoring Kristen K. to tie the game. The Poway players, coaches and fans went wild, especially since the Spirits fans, coaches and girls did all they could to distract the Diamonds.

The Team
after winning three on Thursday
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The opposing team used artificial noise makers, intimidating coaches and obnoxious chants to try to pull the game in their favor. It didn't work. Poway kept their class and composure and remained focus and fought on. They never gave up and turned up the intensity. Laurel D. came up to bat and hit an RBI single to score Chloe C. putting Poway in the lead, silencing the Spirits' fans. The assault continued with Stephanie R's. RBI single scoring Mandy S. and Ashley A. (who was pinch-running for Laurel D.). Shelley T. had a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Stephanie R to end the scoring. The Spirits had their last chance to bat at the top of the 7th inning but Poway held them by getting 1 strike-out, a ground out from Nicole J. to Amy S. and a pop up to Laurel D. to end the game. Final score: Poway Diamonds 6 - Visalia Spirits 2.

What a day for Poway Softball. The 12U Diamonds are an amazing group of girls and have the best fans in the world!!!!!   The journey continues, next game Friday August, 5th at 2:00 noon.

2:00p.m. - Game Two, Poway Diamonds vs. San Jose Slammers
San Jose led off the game with a single and some aggressive base running, but Poway's defense left them scoreless in the 1st inning due to an impressive double play by Shelley T. (SS) to Amy S. (1B), to Chloe C. (3B). In the top half of the 3rd inning, San Jose got 2 runs followed by 1 in the 4th. Poway struggled at the plate until the last inning when all fans and players put on their rally caps. The team came alive at the bottom of 7th, but fell short losing to San Jose Slammers 5 - 2.

A few of the coaches relaxing
during the home run derby
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The Diamonds had the morning off to prepare for their next game. Players and coaches met at noon to load up the Tibbmobile and caravan to Skagit Community College. The college fields were beautiful and well maintained. The girls warmed up, ready and focused.

2:00p.m. - Game 3 Poway Diamonds vs. Lompoc, CA Starz
The BATS came alive! Poway started strong and never let up. Shelley T. led the attack going 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs, a stolen base and scored 1 run, Cara T. went 4 for 5 with 3 RBIs, and scored a run. Kristen K. went 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs and scored a run. Amy S. went 2 for 5 with 3 RBIs, and scored a run. Nicole J., Ashley A., Mandy S., Becca T., Stephanie R., Amber W., Laurel D. and Chloe C. each scored at least 1 run. Poway's defense was equally strong. The pitching was awesome led by Becca T., Laurel D. and Kristen K. who combined, threw a 'No-Hitter' including 7 strike-outs.  Amy S. (C) threw out a runner trying to steal second. Chloe (3B) threw out several runners to Mandy S. (1B). Amber W. made a shoestring catch at 2nd Base. Cara T. (3B) stopped a bunt attempt in the last inning throwing to Amber W. covering 1st base. Ashley A. played strong defense at shortstop. Final score: Poway 15 - Lompoc 1.

Mount Rainier to the south
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Poway Diamonds 12U arrived in Seattle, WA and spent their first night at the Hawthorn Inn in Arlington, WA. The weather and scenery is absolutely gorgeous and the temperature is a comfortable 85 degrees. Plenty of sunlight as it does not get dark until 9:30p.m.

8:00a.m  -  Woke up to light rain and a surprise for Kristen K. as the girls woke her up to sing her Happy Birthday and drag her down to the breakfast buffet. Coaches Ted T. and Dave J. left early to attend the manager's meeting, luncheon and participate in the draw. Meanwhile Coach Pam W., with the assistance of Rick T., Mark A., Frank W. and Peter K., led the girls in a practice at a local high school to get acclimated to the climate and prepare for their first game.

2:00p.m.  -  The girls and their families attended a team meeting in the hotel lobby to learn of their draw and the tournament. Everyone headed to Burlington High School (25 miles north of Arlington) to participate in pin trading, team pictures and attend the opening ceremony. The girls had lots of fun trading their pins with teams from California, Washington, Texas, Montana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho and Oregon. The most sought after pin was the "light-up" showgirl pin from Las Vegas, NV. The girls were swarmed by the other teams as they entered the pin trading area. Many thought they were from Hawaii because their coaches and parents were donning their Poway Hawaiian Shirts. On which island is Poway located? Aloha and Mahalo. The girls, coaches and Trevor T. paraded around the football field as parents and fans cheered them on. Attention was drawn to Poway as we cheered "It's Poway Time, It's Poway Time, What? What? It's Poway Time, It's Poway Time, Whoosh! Whoosh!"

7:30p.m.  -  The team and families met at Alfie's Pizza Palace for dinner and for their pep talk from their coaches and then back to the hotel for a good night's rest.

7:00a.m.  -  The Poway Diamonds met for breakfast followed by loading the team trailer, "The Tibbsmobile", with their gear and supplies.

8:00a.m.  -  The team caravanned 25 miles north to the Janicki Softball Complex while the late sleepers and Starbuck starving parents stayed behind. It was a picture postcard perfect day…blue skies, white puffy clouds and field surrounded by evergreens… 75 degrees with a light breeze.

10:00a.m.  -  Game One, Poway Diamond vs. Richland, WA Breeze The Breeze led off the scoring on a single to score their lead off hitter who doubled in the 1st inning. The Diamonds bounced right back in the 2nd sending 9 batters to the plate, scoring 5 runs, with an impressive hitting attack. Chloe C. led off with a walk followed by a stolen base. Mandy S. laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to advance Chloe to 3rd. Laurel D. had a sacrifice fly to score Chloe tying up the game. Stephanie R. followed with a single and stolen base, Shelly T. singled scoring Stephanie R. and then stole 2nd base. Nicole J. hit an RBI single, followed by RBI doubles by Amy S. and Kristen K. to end the scoring in the 2nd inning.

In the 3rd inning, Laurel D. hit a single and Shelly T. hit her in.

In the 4th inning, Kristen K. singled, stole a base, advance to 3rd and then scored on a wild pitch.

In the 5th inning, Shelly T. & Amy S. walked. Kristen K. doubled and 2 scored by a hit by Cara T.

Laurel D. pitched an excellent game with 8 strike-outs and a very good defense behind her, Cara T. catcher, Amy S. 1st base, Nicole J. & Amber W. 2nd base, Chloe C. 3rd base, Shelley T. SS, Kristen K. & Mandy S. LF, Stephanie R. CF, Becca T. & Ashley A. RF. Final score Poway Diamond 10 - Richland Breeze 1.

Frank T. and Frank S. made a food run to Costco in record time as the next game was scheduled for 2:00P.M. Meanwhile the siblings, Rachel T., Amy S., Ashley J., Kendall A., Michael T., and Scott K. picked wild berries for the lunch feast. The elaborate 4 tent Camp Poway was setup behind Center Field. The girls feasted on sandwiches, fruit, vegetables and salad provided by the kind donations of the Poway Community. Thanks to all the individuals and businesses who donated!!!!