Junior Varsity Updates

Season Record 17-0 

4/29/08 v. Apache Junction The Firebirds’ season finale was a 12-2 win over Apache Junction in what can only be described as a walk-a-thon.  The Birds received 14 free passes. Paige Cravens spun a 5-hitter and was supported by 6 hits, including doubles by Libby Munhall, Molly Mahoney, and Molly Benash.  The Prospectors clearly came to play today with greater determination after their loss to Chaparral yesterday, but their pitching and solid Bird defense throttled whatever offense they could muster.  The high-point of the afternoon was recognition of the fact that the Birds completed a 17-0 season.

4/28/08 v.Apache Junction The Firebirds unleashed a 12-hit barrage including series of extra-base hits --a 3-run homer by Molly Mahoney and doubles by Amy Phelps and Michelle Fitch, to sink the Prospectors 18-2 today.  Phelps, Fitch, Mahoney and Emily Hudspeth each had two hits on the day.  Paige Cravens pitched three innings of near-perfect ball, marred only by a single hit and two infield errors.  The Birds stretch their record to 16-0 as they prepare for their final game.

4/24/08 v. Paradise Valley
The Birds collected 9 hits and 7 walks en route to a quick victory over the Trojans.  Two hits each by Amy Phelps, Emily Hudspeth, Molly Mahoney, and Shantelle Zelechowski paced Chaparral as they cruised to their 15th victory.  Paradise Valley was held to 2 hits by Paige Cravens as she notched 8 strikeouts.

4/22/08 v. Paradise Valley
The Birds unleashed another offensive barrage today, beating the Trojans 13-0.  Ten players collected 17 hits, including doubles by Molly Mahoney, Kaity Carter and Amy Phelps, and triples by Shantelle Zelechowski and Michelle Fitch. Phelps had three hits on the day.

The shutout was assured by stellar pitching from Paige Cravens, who racked up 12 strikeouts on her way to a 2-hitter.  The Birds played solid defense on their way to their 14th victory

4/17/08 v. McClintock
The Firebirds unleashed a 18-hit barrage to sink the Chargers in a 6-inning run-rule victory.  Paige Cravens pitched 3 perfect innings, facing only 9 batters, and delivered 3 hits herself.  A series of multi-base hits paced the offense – a double by Michelle Fitch, another by Rachel Greenberg, a triple by Molly Mahoney (part of a 4-hit afternoon for Mahoney), a double by Libby Munhall, and a triple by Kaity Carter.  In all, 11 members of the 12-member roster collected hits during the game.  The Birds head into their final two weeks with a 13-0 record.

4/15/08 V McClintock
The Firebirds fought back from a slow start and a 1-0 deficit to beat the McClintock Chargers 6-2 today.  One-hit pitching by Paige Cravens and solid fielding, particularly from Molly Mahoney and Morgen VanRoyen overcame several miscues by the ‘Birds.  Seven hits, three from Shantell Zelechowski alone and a ground-rule double from Mahoney, brought the ‘Birds to life with 4 runs in the fourth and 2 in the fifth.

04/10/08 v. Shadow Mountain
After a somnolent 3 innings, producing a single run, the Firebirds came to life, scoring 3 in the forth and 7 in the fifth to run-rule the Matadors 11-0.  Paige Cravens pitched a 7-strikeout one-hitter, backed by an 11-hit better-late-than-never barrage.  Cravens, Molly Mahoney, Michelle Fitch and Morgan Van Royen each tallied two hits, capped by Van Royen’s 3-run triple to end the game.  Solid defense has set the tone for the final weeks of the season. The Birds currently stand at 11-0 for the season.

4/7/08 v. Shadow Mountain 
The Firebirds swamped the Matadors with a 13-hit barrage to lock up a 15-3 mercy-rule win today.  Paige Cravens pitched no-hit ball through three innings, while Shantell Zelechowski gave up only 2 hits in the final two innings.  Morgan Van Royan, Zelechowski, Molly Mahoney, Amy Phelps, and Rachel Greenberg each contributed two hits.  The Birds defense again became tentative late, allowing the Matadors to put 3 runs on the board.  The Birds now stand at 10 – 0 on the season

04/03/08 Firebirds overcome determined Saguaro team 11-4
A barrage of hits (including Zelechowski – 2, Van Royen – 3, Fitch – 2, Mahoney – 2, Phelps – 2) secured the win despite a somewhat uncertain defensive effort by Chaparral.  Pitchers Zelechowski and Cravens scattered 10 hits over seven innings while delivering 10 strikeouts.  The Birds move to 9-0.

04/01/08 v. Saguaro 11-0
Four hits by Shantelle Zelechowski and three apiece by Molly Mahoney and Morgan Van Royen paced the Firebirds to an 11-0 victory over the Sabrecats.  Paige Cravens and Zelechowski pitched the ‘Birds to a one-hit shutout, supported by solid defense.  Cravens and Zelechowski recorded nine strikeouts and yielded only one walk.  The game was wrapped up on a 3-RBI double by Rachel Greenberg.

03/09/08 Chaparral swamps Thunderbird 13-0
Paige Cravens pitched the shutout, scattering 4 hits over 5 innings.  Michelle Fitch went 3 for 4 at the plate, as did Kaity Carter.  Carter and Emily Hudspeth both scored 3 times as the Firebirds combined a 13-hit afternoon with excellent defense.  The Birds are now 7-0 on the season.

03/07/08 V. Catalina Foothills 7-2
The ‘Birds converted 4 hits, some great base running, and a number of walks into 7 runs to capture their 6th win today.  The offense was led by Molly Mahoney’s line-drive double and Sam Davis’ aggressiveness on the bases.  Chaparral’s defense tightened up after three lethargic innings and played air-tight ball down the stretch, including a sparkling 4-6-1 double-play from Van Royen to Fitch to Zelechowski.  Paige Cravens went the distance, scattering 5 hits over the seven innings.

 

03/05/08 V. Notre Dame 14-3
Chaparral rolled to a 9-1 lead and ended up with a 14-3 win over the Saints.  A 17-hit barrage was delivered from all parts of the batting line-up: 2 singles from Michelle Fitch, 2 singles from Emily Hudspeth, 3 singles and a triple from Molly Mahoney, a double from Molly Benash, a single and a triple from Shantelle Zelechowski, 2 singles from Libby Munhall, and 2 singles from Judith Giller.  Again, late-inning miscues in the field plagued the Firebirds, although their lead at that point was enough to off-set the errors. 

03/03/2008 V. Cactus Shadows  11-6
The Firebirds racked up 9 runs on 9 hits in the second inning, moving on to their 4th consecutive win.  Strong defense through the first 4 innings held Cactus Shadows scoreless, with Paige Cravens striking out six.  Kaity Carter collected 2 hits, scoring twice, as did Shantell Zelechowski.

2/29/2008 v. Cactus 10-4

Behind the pitching of Shantell Zelechowski and Paige Cravens, the JV chalked up a 10-4 victory over Glendale Cactus today.  Chaparral pitchers scattered 7 hits over 7 innings.Sam Davis, and Molly Mahoney each collected two hits, leading a 7-hit attack.The game ended in a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch in left field by Amy Phelps. 

2/26/2008 v. Cactus Shadows  9-6
The JV played to a 9-6 win today against Cactus Shadows.  Paige Cravens and Shantelle Zelechowski combined for seven strong innings of pitching marred by several fielding errors.  Particularly strong on defense was Rachel Greenberg, patrolling centerfield, making four catches, and nearly throwing a runner out at home. Rachel also went 2-3 at the plate.  Sam Davis scored three times with aggressive baserunning and a 2-3 afternoon at the plate.

The team takes its 2-0 record to Glendale Cactus on Thursday.

2/20/2008 v. Sandra Day O'Conner 5-1
Yesterday's win over Sandra Day O'Connor by a score of 5-1 was carried squarely on the shoulders of Paige Cravens, who pitched seven strong innings, and of Michelle Fitch, who played solidly at shortstop, triggering one double play and nearly executing a second one unassisted. Strong hits from Molly Mahoney and Libby Munhall punctuated a solid effort that featured aggressive baserunning and power from all parts of the batting order.