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Heat doesn't stop Phantom at Roseville Tourney
Next destination: Western Nationals

by Terri Molina

Phantom 12B girls softball came out on top again at the Lincoln/Roseville Tournament held July 21-22. It was a hot but successful weekend for the team, and an important win as Phantom goes into its last tournament in Salem, Ore., for Western Nationals.

On Saturday during pool play Phantom was able to battle and win all three games. The first game was against Worth Salinas Storm with a final score of 2-1. Danielle Williams threw seven strikeouts while allowing only two hits. She also had a two RBI double. Courtney Dinelli had a double and catcher Sofia Molina, threw out a base runner at second base not once, but twice.

In game two, Phantom played the Mayhem Elite with a 3-2 win. Jessica O'Neal threw niine strikeouts and allowed two hits. Nicole Riordan had an awesome double play, applying a tag on a base runner and quickly throwing the ball to first base. Dinelli went 3 for 3, including a game-winning double

In game three, Phantom played the Central California Krush for a 6-1 win. Both Williams and Jenna O'Neal pitched. Phantom's defense was on fire with great plays by Molina, Shelby Cabral, Riordan and Jessica O'Neal. Mary Rockwood laid down an excellent bunt, moving the first-base runner over to third. Emily Trinidad and Jessica O'Neal both had two RBI's in this game. Lauren Ho Tseung grounded to third and her alert base running took her to second on an overthrow, later to score a run.

On Sunday, Phantom was 1st seed, arriving at 9:45 for a 10:45 game that was a forfeit. The next game, in the 103-degree heat, was played against the USA Elite that lead Phantom to a 6-2 win. Jessica O'Neal and Williams combined for three strikeouts. Williams was 3 for 3 at the plate with an RBI. Jessica O'Neal and Trinidad both had two RBI's. Once again catchers, Molina and Dinelli both threw out a runner at second base.

In the semifinal game, Phantom played the Salinas Storm for a 5-1 win. Jessica O'Neal pitched throwing three strikeouts. Defense was alive with great plays by Molina, Williams, and Jenna O'Neal. Offensively, Trinidad went 2 for 2, Rockwood had a triple and Michelle Wood had a double,

Finally, in the championship game Phantom faced the Stockton Grapettes. This was a tough team that has a very high ranking in girls softball. Williams was at the top of her game pitching 10 strikeouts and was 4 for 4 at the plate. There were many great defensive plays involving Molina, Riordan, Jessica O'Neal, and Cabral. Offensively, O'Neal hit a triple (that would have gone over the fence had there been one) and was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI's. Dinelli was 3 for 4, Molina was 2 for 3, and Jenna O'Neal was 2 for 3. Overall, the girls had 16 hits in this game.

Phantom won the Pleasanton Summer Classic on July 6-8, placed second at the Stockton Tournament on July 14-15, and now goes on to its last tournament in Salem.