14U Thunder tops Lightning at North Buffalo tournament

The Amherst Thunder 14U baseball team broke open a tight game with a 10-run outburst in the final three innings on its way to a convincing 12-3 triumph over the Amherst Lighting in the Hertel North Park invitational tournament held on July 15 at Shoshone Park.

With the Thunder down 3-2 after four innings, third baseman Julia Collins crashed a triple with two outs to plate two runs.

From there, the rout was on. Catherine O'Brien laid down a perfect bunt to open a four-run sixth inning and the Thunder put up another four in the seventh, scoring three with two outs.

Pitcher Elisa Frazier was brilliant, striking out four and fielding her position flawlessly in leading her team to perhaps its best win of the season. Frazier was also a factor at the plate, scoring twice from her No. 2 position in the order.

Game MVP Laura Zaprowski handled several chances without an error at shortstop and also scored twice, as did second baseman Michelle Haumesser. Krista Rasey had two hits and a timely steal of second base that rattled the Lightning and paved the way for a big RBI double by Andrea Dycha.

Having dispensed with the Lightning, the Thunder moved to the semifinals and dropped a tough 3-0 decision to Grand Island, whose combination of excellent pitching and defense proved too much. Frazier pitched another outstanding game in the close defeat.