Special to the Herald
(From the issue of 8/28/03)

When Tommy Orndorff’s 18U Shamrocks were defeated 2-1 by the New Jersey Dreamers at PONY Nationals in Raleigh, N.C., there was a feeling of disappointment and disbelief. After all, the Shamrocks had reached the championship game in three of the previous five PONY National Championships and had claimed the top prize in 1998 and 2002.

But this loss in the early morning of the final day just may have been a blessing in disguise for the Shamrocks as they were able to return home early on Saturday and get some much needed rest before heading to Salem, Oregon, for the granddaddy of them all – the ASA 18U Gold Nationals.

Perhaps even more important was the fact that ace pitcher Stephanie VanBrakle (Univ. of Alabama) was able to recover from a blister on her pitching hand that prevented her from throwing her rise ball in Raleigh.

The rest paid off as VanBrakle led the Shamrocks to an astounding runner-up finish in the National Tournament that featured 64 of the top teams in the United States, including more than 15 teams from California.

The Orange County Batbusters defeated the Shamrocks 5-1 in the championship game but not before the "Rocks" made a lasting impression on the competition, 200 college coaches and several hundred fans in attendance. It was the highest finish ever for an East Coast team in what is generally a national tournament dominated by California’s finest.

The Shamrocks opened the tournament with pool play victories over the California Worth Firecrackers and the Blazing Angels (Pa.). Those victories earned the Shamrocks one of 16 top seeds entering the double elimination portion of the tournament.

High Voltage (Texas) proved to be a stubborn first round opponent, but VanBrakle tossed a two-hitter with 10 strikeouts and Dani Woods (Hunt Valley, Md.) hit a two-out, two-run home run in the last inning for the 2-0 Shamrock victory.

Next up was a rematch with the Blazing Angels, but it was the Shamrocks bats that were on fire in this one as the "Rocks" cruised to an 8-0 second round victory and advanced to the round of 16 in the winners bracket.

A very good Impact Gold (Texas) team was the next opponent for the Shamrocks but an early mistake to power hitting Woods resulted in a two-run homer in the first inning and VanBrakle made sure it was enough as she pitched a brilliant two-hitter with 14 K’s and cruised to a 3-0 victory advancing the Shamrocks to the final eight in the winners bracket and ensuring the team of a Top 10 Gold finish for the first time in team history.

VanBrakle followed that up with a three-hit, 12 K performance as the Shamrocks advanced to the Final Four with an eight inning 2-0 victory over the Tulsa Eagles. The competition continued to stiffen as the Shamrocks and Florida PGB Gators were the only non-California teams remaining in the top 10. Both would lose in the winners bracket semi-finals but the Shamrocks came ever so close to defeating the Worth Firecrackers (Calif.) for the second time in three days as they battled nine innings of a wild contest ending in a 11-9 victory for the Californians.

The loss sent the "Rocks" into the losers bracket with only one day remaining in the tournament. The good news was the Shamrocks were now insured of a top five finish – the bad news was they now had to win five games on Sunday to claim the national championship.

The Shamrocks opened Sunday morning with an impressive 6-0 win over the Case Batbusters (Calif.). The win ensured them of a fourth place finish and an automatic berth in the 2004 National Tournament to be held in Marietta, Ga..

Next up was Gordon’s Panthers (Calif.), a perennial power and a top five finisher in every Gold Nationals since its inception in the mid-1990s. But VanBrakle proved to be too much for the Panthers. She clubbed a tape-measure home run in the first inning and then made it hold up as she tossed a one-hitter and struck out eight in the 1-0 upset victory for the Shamrocks.

Now on a major roll and full of confidence, the Shamrocks again faced the Worth Firecrackers who were 3-0 losers in the winner’s bracket final versus the Orange County Batbusters. Feeling they should have won the extra inning 11-9 setback the night before, the Shamrocks had revenge on their minds and were determined to reach the championship game.

The Shamrocks parlayed three hits into two runs in the first three innings and led 2-0 in the fourth. Pitcher Julie Saporito (Freehold, N.J.) was cruising in the fourth when she suddenly allowed two walks and a three-run homer and the Shamrocks now trailed 3-2. But they would not quit as VanBrakle answered with a grand slam home run in the fifth inning to give the Shamrocks a 6-3 lead. The "Rocks" added three insurance runs in the sixth and went on to win 9-3 and advanced to the championship game.

Faced with having to defeat the defending champion Orange County Batbusters twice, the Shamrocks were confident and determined but they were also beginning to show signs of fatigue. Trailing 2-1 in the last inning, the Shamrocks still felt they had a shot. The Batbusters managed three late insurance runs to secure a 5-1 victory and their second consecutive national championship.

The Shamrocks, who by now were clearly the crowd favorites, had to settle for runner-up but nevertheless, it was quite an impressive accomplishment and the highest finish ever for any team east of the Mississippi.

The Shamrocks were led by VanBrakle who posted a 7-1 record, 73 K’s in 56 innings and a brilliant 1.00 ERA. Shortstop Courtney Bures (Haymarket) led the offense with a .421 batting average and only 2 K’s in 41 plate appearances. She also led the defense with 15 putouts and 35 assists. Woods batted .342 with three home runs and eight RBI. VanBrakle also had three home runs and added 10 RBI.

The Shamrocks finish the season with a 51-12 record, an impressive runner-up finish at ASA Gold Nationals in Salem and an automatic berth and No.2 seed in the 2004 ASA Gold National Tournament to be held in Marietta, Ga., next August.