Cougars 15U Fastpitch Team Triumphs in Michigan

Mark Kikos’ fastpitch team ended their 2014 season with two huge accolades. The then 14U (freshman) Cougars finished their season the #2 power ranked United States Sports Specialty Association (USSSA) B-class team in the state of Illinois. The next accolade was a bit of a double-edged sword, the Cougars were re-classified by the USSSA state director as an A-class team.

Forced to compete against even higher level teams the now 15U-A Cougars struggled during their opening two tournaments. A road trip to Holland, Michigan turned things around for the Cougars. Over the weekend of June 19 – 21st the Cougars competed in a pool of 16 USSSA 15 and 16U A and B teams in the Lakeside Blast tournament in Holland, Michigan. Play opened for the Cougars on Friday the 19th against the Queens of Diamonds, a talented team from Ann Arbor, MI. The Cougars outhit the Queens but ultimately were defeated by a score of 2 – 0. The Cougars then went on a five game win streak that vaulted them into the championship. The Cougars defeated the Kalamazoo Krush 1- 0 and one of two Lakeshore Storm teams in the tournament 11 – 5 to finish pool play with a 2 and 1 record.

Bracket play opened for the Cougars with a 7 to 3 victory over the NWO Lady Irish from Indiana; a win driven by 7 hits to 1 by the Irish. In the quarter-finals craziness ensued against the Flosmoor Hurricanes (IL). Up 5 – 1 after 4 the Cougars blew their lead and wound-up tied with the Canes at 7 runs at the end of the regulation play. Three stressful California tie-breaker (start with a runner on 2nd) innings ensued. The Cougars finally broke the stalemate in the top of the 10th with a 7-run onslaught and then held the Hurricanes to 2 runs in the bottom of the tenth for a 15 to 10 victory.

In the semi-finals the Cougars had the opportunity to play at the beautiful Wolter Softball Stadium at Hope College. In a game announced by the golden pipes of Al Potaczek, the Cougars prevailed over the tightest, one-sided strike zone in softball history and a second Lakeside Storm team by a score of 8 to 5. The Cougars faced the Queens of Diamonds again the finals and were defeated, but qualified for the 2015 USSSA 16U Open World Series.

In the picture accompanying this article you can find the following lovely and talented young ladies. From left to right, bottom row: Brianna Suchy, Hanna Kikos, Allie Mullinger, Bat Gal Ava Falduto, Scorekeeper Lindsey Bingham, Natalie Nowacki, Gianna Frale, and Kati Potaczek. Back row: Hunter Hoffman, Anne Grasse, Hannah Bingham, Morgan Bojesen, Kaitlyn Falduto, and Heather Anderson. The 2015 15U Cougars are managed by Mark Kikos who is assisted by Jim Bingham, Myles Hoffman, and Scott Suchy.

You and your daughter can be become part of the best fastpitch family in Northern Illinois. Tryouts for 2015 – 2016 Cougar teams will be on August 1st. We wear #ScarletRoyalandWhite. Visit www.CougarsBaseballSoftball.com and their armada of social sites to learn about the Cougars. Lots of great pictures of the Holland tournament can be found on the Cougar FaceBook page. #HitSomeGetSomeRuns!