Taken by the Storm

For the past four years, the girls of the Suncoast Storm ’02 have challenged themselves to treat every practice as if it were a game day. 

From routine fly balls and double plays to speed drills and stolen bases, the diamond at Lakewood Ranch Park has become the perfect playground for success. 

Since forming in fall 2010, the Storm has transitioned from recreational talent to one of the nation’s elite 12-and-under travel softball teams. 

During the 2014-15 season, the Storm has posted a 50-13 tournament record, winning seven of its last eight tournaments. The girls are the No. 1 ranked 12U team in Florida and the No. 2 ranked team in the nation, according to USSSA.com. 

“We work together and help each other get better,” second baseman Kali Reis says. “We set high goals for ourselves and we want to succeed.” 

Most recently, the team went 6-0 to win the 14U division of the Ultimate Fastpitch Challenge April 25 and April 26, in Lake City, and 6-0 to win the 12U division of the ASA Qualifier Warm-Up May 9 and May 10, in Gainesville. 

“I knew this team was going to do this well,” shortstop Jade Moy says. “We all have really high expectations and want to succeed.” 

After winning the ASA 12U state title in December 2014, the Storm qualified for ASA nationals, which will be held July 27 through Aug. 2, in Sacramento, Calif. It was the Storm’s first national championship berth. 

The Storm players grew up watching the Tampa Mustangs 16U team and strive to garner the same level of national acclaim as the team, which has finished as the ASA national runner-up each of the past two seasons. 

“As players, I feel like we want to be on that high level,” pitcher Devyn Mulligan says. “We want to succeed, win nationals and (earn) that high exposure.” 

The Storm began competing in the 14U division as a way to push themselves toward being a national-level team. 

“They are the next national level-type team to come out of this area,” says T.J. Goelz, who coaches the Storm along with his wife, Liz. “They are buying into the system, getting better every day and have a chance to get even better.

“They are committed,” Goelz says. “They want to play, and they are a little bit above where the (Mustangs) were at this age.”

The Storm went on to win the 12U division of the Diamond 9 Presidents Day Classic while beating some quality 14U teams during round-robin play. With the win, the girls earned an automatic berth to the D9 College Showcase, which is the largest showcase in the Southeast, in November where they will compete in the 14U invite-only division. 

“Everyone always says how California and the West Coast has all of the talent, but we want to show that the East Coast has something special too. We’re ready to go out and represent our team and celebrate each other’s success.” 

 

— First baseman Avery Goelz

 

In addition, the girls also were selected to compete in the USSSA Select Elite 12U National Championship in July. The Storm was one of only three teams from Florida chosen to participate in the invite-only event, which draws teams from across the nation. 

“Everyone always says how California and the West Coast has all of the talent, but we want to show that the East Coast has something special too,” first baseman Avery Goelz says. “We’re ready to go out and represent our team and celebrate each other’s success.” 

The Storm also won the Perfect Storm tournament, finished second in the Queen of the Diamond tournament and finished third in the USSSA Invitational — all in the 14U division. 

The Storm has outscored its opponents 64-20 this season while averaging seven runs a game. Avery Goelz is batting a team-leading .485 with 23 RBIs while leadoff hitter Reis is batting .470 with a .589 on-base percentage. Taylor Woodring is batting .445 with 16 RBIs and one home run, while Moy and Faith Miller are each batting more than .400. 

“We have consistently told them they have the ability to play late on Sundays (in the championship games),” T.J. Goelz says. “There’s nothing (to be said) for winning trophies or medals if you aren’t playing games that matter. That’s why these kids will be different.” 

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].