the 18U division at the prestigious Independence Day Tournament in Boulder, Colorado. So when they out-played a 172-team field to capture the


ASA National Championship it wasn't a complete surprise. "It doesn’t get much better than that," said Delamater,


whose team went 9-1 in championship round play. "It proves that the teams in our program can compete with the best of the best out there." The Southern California-based squad proved that by


Indy Crush 18U-Walker from Indianapolis, IN went undefeated to capture ASA National Championship.


By Dave Utnik Normal, IL --- Sarah Cretin knew it all along. She


had something close to a premonition back in the fall of 2010. The players from Indy Crush were huddled together during one of their first days together when the precocious catcher suddenly announced: "We are never going to lose." She wasn't bragging. Cretin sincerely believed that.


And, it turns out she knew what she was talking about. Indy Crush has lost a few times. But when it


mattered most, this summer at the ASA Girls 18U National Championships, Cretin and her teammates won them all. "We didn’t know she was referring to the ASA


National Championship Tournament," Indy Crush coach Lorenzo Walker said. "We always thought we were good and even during our very last practice in Indy before nationals I saw an unusual calmness with our team. Most of the time at a season's last practice players


are either sad that it is over or happy to be finishing the year and ready to move on. Our last practice was like one of the mid-summer practices, and it was the first time we had our full team at practice. None of the teams we played during the summer


played against our team that competed for the ASA National Championship." It's likely that none of them would have wanted


too. Indy Crush is that good when all the parts are properly assembled. Cretin understands that better than anyone. She saw it on the first day. In July, Walker had a sense, too. "I told many people leading up to the week of


nationals that I felt this would be a special week, but my realistic goal was to finish in the top 10," he said. Special was just one way to describe it. Indy Crush


came from behind to win four times and the final four victories were each by one run. "The week was jam-packed with drama," Walker


said. "But we did not start talking championship until Saturday night." There could be a few more championships in Indy


12


Crush's future, though the 2012 squad will have a decidedly different look. Eight players have moved on to college, which makes winning an ASA title that


much more meaningful. "It is a huge accomplishment," Walker said. "I think it


puts our program firmly on the map." The 18U Indy Crush was a perfect mesh of talent and


personalities -- a chemistry that has established a foundation for future success. Taylor Lockwood, Jessica Cates and Nikki Thomas


shared the pitching circle in spectacular fashion, while the team was led in hitting by first baseman Shelby Turner (.444), Katie McCool (.417), outfielder Casey Williamson (.414) and Carly Atkinson (.414). But they will be remembered for much more than stats. "We have always been very competitive and usually one


of the top two or three teams of local tournaments that we participate in," Walker said. "Now the expectations have increased, and players returning to our club will have to really step up. With most of the history-makers headed in different directions, I have decided to move to the 16U division where I have a very talented group of young ladies who will try and build on the foundation that Indy Crush 18U laid and continue to be successful in the world of fastpitch softball.


The Next Level Captures ASA Girls Class A 16-Under National Championship Chattanooga, TN --- The no-hitter was a precursor of


things to come. When Notre Dame recruit Rachel Nasland struck out 12 batters in a dominating performance against the Renegades it was clear that The Next Level had come to Frost Stadium well prepared to win an ASA Girls Class A 16- Under National Championship. "Qualifying for nationals is something that every travel softball team strives for. Some qualify and others may never get the opportunity," coach Jerry Delamater said. "Our organization has been very successful in sending numerous teams in each division to nationals every year." The Next Level truly lived up to its


nickname during nationals. Even before then, there were obvious signs of the team's potential. They won the Southern California State Championship and placed ninth in


defeating Georgia Impact 5-3 and 3-0 to win the championship. "After we did well in Boulder, Colorado at the Independence Day Tournament among the older age group we knew that we could win nationals if we played well," Delamater said. "We will continue to get stronger as all of our players returned this fall. We should be contenders next summer as well." The future is indeed bright considering that virtually all of


the team's biggest stars have already received college scholarships. Top-of-the-order hitters Monica Downey is headed to San Diego State, while Samantha Camello will play at Texas Tech. Power-hitting pitcher Noelle Johnson is committed to Utah State and catcher Molly Hutchinson at N.C. State. "It's very strong and balanced lineup," Delamater said. And they know each other well, having played together


for two years now. By the time Nasland hurled her bracket play no-no, The


Next Level was clearly on its way to achieving greatness. Johnson led the team with a .457 batting average, going 16 for 35, while Hutchison and Hailey Kofler each hit a pair of homers. Camello hit a two-out double in the bottom of the seventh to defeat Southern Force, 5-4, and The Next Level received big hits throughout the tournament from Celinna Cosio, Hana Gilbert and Madison Lerma. Naslund, a junior at Torrey Pines High School in San


Diego, earned the win in the finale, too, tossing a three- hitter with 10 strikeouts -- a performance that was backed by a diving, back-handed catch by outfielder Lani Vanta in the seventh inning. "This group of players has a great chemistry on the field.


They support and encourage one another through every game," Delamater said. "They are friends on and off the field. Every one of them contributed to the success of our season. "There is a lot of movement in travel softball but not


much to speak of on this team for next year. Our goal is to win 18 Gold Nationals next year."


The Next Level from Southern California Captured the ASA Girls 16-Under National Championship.


Softball Today • August 2011


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