Klimonology

Pop Rocks Defeat Firecrackers for 10U Title

The Irvine World News just caught up with the Pop Rocks championship game. You can take a look here.

Pop Rocks Walk-Off Double Wins IGSA 10U Championship!

(Photo courtesy of Tim Avazian)

In a scene reminiscent of their previous match-ups, IGSA 10U Pop Rocks came from behind to beat the Firecrackers for the 10U championship on a walk-off double. The Firecrackers had come from behind to beat the Pop Rocks earlier in the double-elimination tournament to force the Pop Rocks to fight through the “Loser’s” bracket for a shot at the championship. But this time it was for the championship and the Pop Rocks would not be denied.

The first inning opened with Lauren Avazian on the mound for the Pop Rocks. She showed great control and poise in sending down the Firecracker batters: one, two, three. The Firecrackers sent Maddie Kraus to the mound in the bottom of the first. The Pop Rocks were able to get their leadoff hitter on the bases before the Firecrackers got the next two batters out. This brought up cleanup hitter Kennedy Kings was able to single to get on base. Gabrielle Klimon singled to move Kings over and Kings was able to come home on a wild pitch before Kraus struck out Avazian to end the inning. Pop Rocks 2, Firecrackers 0

The Firecrackers sent seven batters against Avazian in the top of the second inning, but the Pop Rocks defense was up to the challenge and only allowed one of the baserunners to score. Defensively the Firecrackers were on fire as pitcher Kraus struck out three to hold the Pop Rocks scoreless. Pop Rocks 2, Firecrackers 1

The third inning was silent on both sides as Avazian and Kraus continued to pitch well and sent each of their sides down in turn. Pop Rocks 2, Firecrackers 1

The fourth inning featured new pitchers for both teams as Alyssa Cadanova took the mound for the Pop Rocks against the top of the Firecrackers order. The Firecrackers were, well, on fire and they reeled off four runs in the top of the inning, but the Pop Rocks were not sitting idle as they turned three walks and three singles into four runs to retake the lead against pitcher B.J. Jarvis. Pop Rocks 6, Firecrackers 5

As the day grew long and the girls grew tired, neither team's pitchers (Kings for the Pop Rocks and Christy Kelly for the Firecrackers) could find the strike zone consistently as both teams reeled off four runs off of seven batters. At the end of five, the Pop Rocks held a lead, albeit a slim one. Pop Rocks 10, Firecrackers 9

The sixth inning brought Avazian back to the mound for the Pop Rocks and Kraus back to the mound for the Firecrackers. A double and a walk got Avazian in trouble, but she was able to settle down and strikeout the next batter for the first out. Another single scored a run before Avazian got her second strikeout of the inning. This brought up Jasmine Jackson with two runners on and two outs. The Pop Rocks need to hold the Firecrackers here to maintain a tie, but Jackson was not interested in a tie and took the first pitch she saw deep to left center for a three run home run to put the Firecrackers on top by three runs. The Pop Rocks were devastated but still had their final at bats. Avazian led off with a single before Kraus struck out Garyn Maggio. Then three consecutive walks to Keila Goulding, Sarah Nishioka and Gia Almanza loaded the bases and pushed a run home. Cadanova hit a single that scored Goulding and brought the Pop Rocks within one run. That brought Logan Prock to the plate with one out and two runners on. Prock took the fourth pitch she saw to short right field for a 2-run walk-off double to end the game and clinch the championship for the Pop Rocks!  Pop Rocks 14, Firecrackers 13

The Purple Pop Rocks are Gia Almanza, Lauren Avazian, Samantha Butcher, Alyssa Cadavona, Keila Goulding, Kanna Inoshita, Kennedy Kings, Gabrielle Klimon, Garyn Maggio, Sarah Nishioka, Logan Prock and Danielle Ray. The Purple Pop Rocks are managed by Chris Butcher.

Pop Rocks Win! Pop Rocks Win!

(Photo courtesy of Tim Avazian)

Gabrielle's 10U softball team, the Pop Rocks, took home the 10U Championship today with an amazing come from behind win capped by a walk-off 2-run double to win it all. More details and a full write-up coming soon!