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+ Suncoast Storm travel softball team
The Suncoast Storm ’05 travel softball team captured the 2014 USSSA South Florida State Championship July 4 through July 6, in Naples.

After dropping into the loser’s bracket early, the No. 3-seed Storm won four straight games, outscoring its opponents 41-9 to advance to the championship game.

In the championship, the Storm defeated the previously undefeated Miami Stingrays 3-2 and 7-4 in double elimination.

Championship players include: Leah James, Erin McIntyre, Julia Girk, Joslyn Chapman, Ella Romano, Alana Delagarza, Haley Howard, Kasey Barndt, Addyson Bruneman, Ava Westgate and Amanda Estling.

+ Mustangs post top finishes
The Tampa Mustangs 16s team finished third in the Independence Day Tournament July 2 through July 6, in Boulder, Colo.

The Mustangs were the only 16s team from Florida selected to participate in the 48-team event, which is considered one of the most prestigious college showcase tournaments of the year.

The team, which is a first-years 16s team, went 4-2 in seed play to earn the No. 2 seed in the single elimination bracket.

In single elimination, Braden River’s Bethaney Keen hit a grand slam to lead the Mustangs to an 11-5 victory against the Birmingham Vipers. The Mustangs then defeated the New Jersey Intensity 16-7, scoring 10 runs in the second tie-breaker inning.

The Mustangs then defeated a team from Illinois 7-5 in extra innings before falling to California’s Corona Angels, which finished as the tournament runner-up.

Following the Independence Day Tournament, the Mustangs went 4-0 to win the 16U gold bracket of the TCS Rising Stars Regional Showcase July 11 to July 13, in Fort Lauderdale. Most recently, the Mustangs went 4-0 to win the Atlanta Legacy Showcase July 18 through July 20.

The Mustangs returned to action in the 2014 ASA National Championships, which began July 27 and runs through Aug. 3, in Salem, Va.

+ Registration for Lightning ongoing
Registration for the Sarasota Lightning football and cheerleading travel program has begun.

Players will have the opportunity to compete against top players from across Southwest Florida while improving their individual skill sets.

The season, which is open to players ages 5 to 15, begins Aug. 1. Players will practice from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, at The Out-of-Door Academy. Games are played Saturdays.
Registration costs $210.

A football package, which includes a youth jersey, is $85.

For more information or to register, contact Karyn at 915-3822 or [email protected], or visit www.sarasotalightning.com.

+ Manatee 9U All-Stars finish third
The Manatee Cal Ripken 9U All-Stars finished third in the Southeast regional July 23 through July 26, in Palm Beach Gardens.

After falling 15-4 to Glenn Alenn, Va., Manatee responded with a 4-3 victory against Lake City. With two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, Mack Woolever and Ryan Hanson both singled and Ashton Lamb walked to load the bases. Pinch runner Liam Senkow eventually stole home to win the game. Stone Russell went 5 2/3 innings, and Drew Marra secured the final out in the top of the sixth inning.

Manatee defeated Aiken, S.C. 11-0 and East Rowan 9-0 to advance to the Final Four.

In the semifinals, Manatee fell to Glenn Allen 9-2 for the second time in the tournament.