where the bats came alive at just the right time to pull out a come-from-behind win over the Sliders (4- 3) and two dramatic triumphs over MC Border Bunch by scores of 2-1 and 3-2. "I set my lineup from game-to-game depending


on how each player is responding at the plate after pool play. The girls are very consistent so my lineup does not change much," Crosslin said. Augeri and Hay, for example, are almost always at


Batter Lexi Newman, Morgan Crosslin and Taylor Crosslin formed the foundation of the inaugural team.


the top of the order because they are quick and usually hit the ball down one of the lines. Newman and Suggs are the big boppers and the lineup is anchored by McKenzie, Henze, Degner, Baker. The No. 9 spot, which essentially serves as a second leadoff position is shared by Robinson, Morgan Crosslin and Taylor Crosslin. "We have a very defensively sound team with


some great power at the plate," Crosslin said. "And a few girls who can get around the bases with their speed." Each of those assets was on display against the


By Dave Utnik Grand Prairie, TX. --- Hitting was a priority. The Centex


Buzz 12U girls spent hundreds of hours during the summer travel season working on nothing but making contact and advancing runners around the bases. Coach Troy Crosslin already had everything else that is


desired in a championship contender -- outstanding pitching, lots of speed and lock-down defense. The bats, he figured, would be the difference makers. "My coaches and I devoted a lot of practice time to our


hitting this season," Crosslin said. "The extra work has paid off as our team has hit very well all year with the exception of our first tournament this spring." What truly mattered to Crosslin and his assistants --


Jessyca Hedrick and Jill Suggs -- was how the team hit in July and August. That is when championship teams truly shine at the plate and the Centex Buzz had every intention of being a contender. So they hit and hit and hit and hit until they


returned home from the 12U VTD World Series with a first place trophy. "These girls have worked very hard all year," Crosslin


said, after his squad capped off an 8-0 tournament run with back-to-back one-run victories over the MC Border Bunch. "They set the goal last year to win the 2011 12U VTD World Series. Through hard work and dedication they accomplished that goal." Not surprisingly, hitting played a tremendous role. The


Centex Buzz combined for a .430 team batting average. Catcher Lexi Newman (.609), Chloe Henze (.550), Carigan Suggs (.538), Sammi Augeri (.538) and Abby McKenzie (.455) provide the pop as the Centex Buzz combined for 40 runs on 83 total hits. "I had very high expectations about our chances for the


championship," Crosslin said. "I knew the girls could compete for one of the top three spots if they would play to their abilities." The Buzz began in central Texas four seasons ago with


Morgan Crosslin, Taylor Crosslin and Lexi Newman forming the foundation of the inaugural team. Over the past three summers a powerful lineup began to take shape with the arrivals of Bethany Baker, Dani Degner and Suggs in 2009, followed by Abby McKenzie, Courtney Robinson, Gaby Hay and Augeri in 2010 and Henze in April. Over the course of four travel seasons, the Buzz won


nine tournament titles and finished second at the 2009 ASA 10U B Texas State Championship. But nothing has compared to the show they put on at the VTD World Series,


MC Border Bunch as Degner drove in the championship game's first run with a second- inning hit. Suggs knocked in Hay from first with a long drive to the left field fence in the third and then, with the game tied in the sixth, Henze doubled to start the game-winning rally and scored on an infield hit by Degner. In their most significant performance as a 12U


team, the Buzz backed up their potent batting order with exceptional pitching from McKenzie, Henze, Suggs and Degner. "If you ask the girls on our team if they expected to win they would say, 'absolutely,'" Crosslin said. "They never talked about not coming home without the championship."


The Centex Buzz (Crosslin) 12U girls spent hundreds of hours during the summer travel season working on nothing but making contact and advancing runners around the bases.


17


Softball Today • August 2011


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