The New Era Diamond Girls Opera played in an ASA Qualifier in Warren OH with many top teams last weekend. Many of which placed in the top 10 at ASA “A” Nationals last year including the National Champs. They needed to finish 1st or 2nd to get a Bid to ASA Nationals this year and this was their only opportunity to qualify. Wow what a great weekend! They were the talk of the town Sunday as they knocked off team after team to get to the championship game and receive an ASA bid.
The amazing thing about this accomplishment is that they did it with only 8 PLAYERS, they were missing 5 starters who were back in Buffalo proudly competing in their High School Sectional Playoffs. The 8 girls wanted it so bad for the entire team, they played flawless softball which ended in a well played 4-2 loss in the Championship game against an excellent Valley Extreme. That team knocked off last years ASA Champs in the Semifinals.
A few highlights include some GREAT defense from Morgan McDermott, Heather Tighe, Breanna Opera and Shannon Patterson who covered a lot of ground in the outfield. They road on the back of Alyssa Presutti’s pitching as she baffled the opposing hitters all day starting all 4 games on Sunday. Hats off to Sarah Mertowski who had to catch all 4 games Sunday in 90 degree temps and did a great job. Team Opera had clutch hitting (which they needed because they had to take an out when the 9 batter was up) from Shannon Patterson, Kayla Hahn, Heather Tighe, Emily Marcus and Breanna Opera who also hit out a 2 run Home Run over the left field fence in the Semifinals. This helped to secure the Nationals dream by sending the team to the Championship game. Breanna also hit a 2 run Home Run deep over the center field fence in the Championship game to give the Diamond Girls some life after being down 4-0 early in the game.
Although they fell short in the end, this was a great accomplishment for the girls.
