Great defense by Xtreme Edge highlighted this game, particularly several “gun downs” by shortstop Amanda (A.J.) Jordan, to Alexis Pinnell at first base, including 2 puts outs in the 2 nd inning, the completion of a 1-6-3 double play in 4 th inning, and another put out in the 5 th inning. Baillie Lott provided strong pitching with excellent pitch calls by catcher Kristie King throughout the game to allow just 1 hit by a good hitting Xplosion team. Jordan got scoring started for Edge in the 2 nd inning with an RBI when she put the ball in play with Julie Tower on third base; Tower had reached on a walk to start the inning. The game was tight with Edge holding a 1-0 lead until the 6 th inning. Julie Harmon started the 6 th with a line drive single and Baillie Lott reached on an error. Kristie King then laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to put runners at second and third base. Tower followed with a bunt that scored Harmon leaving Edge with 2 runners on and 1out. With 2 outs, Jordan drove a single that scored Lott. Brittany Aiello produced 2 more runs for Edge with a deep shot to the outfield, Ashley Smith drove in a run, and Elizabeth Ferrell wrapped up a 6-run 6 th inning for Edge with an RBI single.

Final: Xtreme Edge 7, Nashville Xplosion 0.

A game filled with suspense best describes this competition. When have you ever seen a home run wiped-off the records? Edge had a 1 run lead going into the bottom of the 2 nd inning, posted when a lead-off double by Baillie Lott was followed by a nice sacrifice bunt by Kristie King and an RBI single by Julie Tower. Leading off the bottom of the inning, Diamonds’ right-hand batting first baseman took a 2-strike, off-the-plate (outside) curveball and somehow found a way to drive it over the left field fence. While rounding the bases, the batter somehow missed stepping on first base. Edge coaches asked pitcher Julie Harmon to appeal the play after which the field umpire negated the home run and called the batter out. This was a critical point in the game with Edge retaining a 1-0 lead at the end of the inning. In the bottom of the 3 rd inning a Diamond batter reached base on an error and later scored on a pass ball, knotting up the score at 1-1. Harmon led off the 4 th inning with a hit, Lott reached on error, and King laid down yet another perfect sac bunt to advance the runners. Julie Tower scored Harmon on a single to give Edge the final 2-1 edge.

Final: Xtreme Edge 2, Mt. Juliet Diamonds 1.

This game was really never in doubt as Edge hit its stride at the plate. In a game that ended in the middle of the 4 th inning, Edge sent 11 runs across the plate. The Diamonds scored 2 runs, one in the 2 nd inning on a wild pitch and another in the 3 rd inning on an error. Edge scoring started early and occurred throughout the game. In the 1 st inning, with 2 outs, Julie Harmon singled, Baillie Lott walked, Kristie King singled to score a run and Julie Tower singled to post 2 RBIs. Edge 3, Diamonds, 0, at that point. Edge scored again in the 2 nd inning when Amanda Jordan reached on error and was later driven in by Julie Tower. Baillie Lott drove in 2 runs later in the inning to give Edge a 6-1 lead. The 3 rd inning was big for Edge as 5 more runs came across the plate. Jennifer Head put the ball in play and brought in Edge runner, Julie Tower, who had reached on an error. Ashley Smith followed suit bringing in 2 more runs. After a nice single by Elizabeth Ferrell, Ashley Smith came home on a pass ball by the Diamonds’ catcher. Baillie Lott drove in the final run on an RBI single up the middle.

Final: Xtreme Edge 11, Mt. Juliet Diamonds 2.

The 2005 Tennessee State ASA “A” Champions are the Xtreme Edge!!! This team has worked very hard this season for a great Edge coaching staff and have earned this honor. Co-coaches Ernie Reynolds and Rone Phelps and assistants Lance Lott, Cynthia Towers and Chris Jordan have helped the team develop throughout the season and it shows. What stood out in this year’s ASA state tournament is that the team played all facets of the game well: defense, sacrifices, long drives, base stealing including “extra” bases when opportunities arose, pitching and pitch calling, and they played every inning just as hard with 2 outs as with none. This is what makes our girls the champions that they are.

The parents of the Xtreme Edge players salute the players and coaches of the 2005 Xtreme Edge and congratulate you on your outstanding accomplishments. We all look forward to seeing you play in the ASA Nationals in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in August.

Go Edge!!!!