14U Rage take second at Fun in the Sun tournament

KENT — The 14U Washington Rage took home second place from last weekend’s USSSA Fun in the Sun tournament in Kent, winning the first two games of bracket play to reach the championship game.

Last weekend’s tournament followed a month-long recess from games for the team, who still practiced during their time off. 

“We had been practicing all month long, two nights a week, putting in pretty good work,” head coach Brooke Richardson said. “About two hours a night, good practice and build that team rapport a little bit since we’d only had three tournaments before that together as a team.”

Pool play at the tournament began Saturday, and after a 45-minute delay in the middle of the first inning to fix an issue with the pitching mound, the Rage tied 6-6 with Venom Fastpitch. 

“We battled that game, ended in a tie, unfortunately,” Richardson said. “We had runners in scoring position, but we got caught up on a throw down to third base.”

The second pool play game saw the Rage fall 10-1 to the North Seattle Rage Blue, later falling 10-7 to the Laces 14U in the final game of pool play. 

“The girls, you could tell, were a little tired,” Richardson said of the loss to North Seattle. “Even though it was only 90 degrees, it was the hottest they’ve played in, so they were definitely feeling the heat. We couldn’t hit very well, confidence was low after how long of a game we had played (earlier).” 

In the opening round of bracket play Sunday, the Rage defeated Wildcats Fastpitch Club 14U 11-1, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning and four runs in both the second and third innings. Allie Jensen and Brooklyn Bruce drove in a team-high two RBI in the win.

“We had a conversation about being positive at the plate, encouraging each other as well as going up there ready to swing,” Richardson said. “Knowing that we’re going to get pitches that are able for us to swing at, and it’s the battle of the bats that are really going to ultimately help you win that game.”

Against Hooks 14U in the semifinals, the Rage jumped out to an early 5-0 through the first inning with RBI from Mia Lopez, Jenesis Tuivaiave and Malorie Lane. Hooks cut the lead to 6-5 in the bottom of the second inning, but the Rage held on for an eventual 10-7 win.

“It helped boost their confidence, and they even carried themselves very highly when they stepped out on the field for defense,” Richardson said of the fast start offensively. “Knowing that you have that little bit of cushion that you can fall back on helps them, but also lights a little fire in them and continues to keep them fighting throughout the game.”

The Rage and Island Vipers had a back-and-forth battle in the Bracket C championship game, with the Vipers walking off with an 8-7 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Lane scored on an inside-the-park home run in the top of the fifth inning to tie the game at seven.

“We had a few errors there that put us back a little bit,” Richardson said. “ … It was a very good game — probably the best team we’ve seen in a while that we were able to compete against.”

Richardson noted the Rage pitching staff as standouts from the weekend. Pitchers Aliana Deleon, Kennadee Lyons, Sara Estudillo and Lane all pitched across the six games this weekend.

“Our pitchers, overall, pitched great this weekend,” Richardson said. “A few struggles here and there due to the heat and not being acclimated to it, but overall we had solid defense.”

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.