Two Alameda Girls Softball Association (AGSA) teams earned medals at the Diamond Classic Softball Tournaments on Sunday, Sept. 18.

The AGSA Blaze 10U Black - Goldin team played in the All-Star Tournaments Diamond Classic 10-and-under tournament in Antioch this past weekend. After a bit of a struggle on Saturday, the team was placed in the silver bracket. The Blaze defeated the Pleasanton Phantom – Flores, 13-8, in the semifinal game Sunday morning, earning them a spot in the championship game that afternoon.

Team Goldin, named after their coach Joy Goldin, had no trouble on offense during the championship game against Pleasanton Phantom - Riley, winning 9-1. Aila, the Blaze’s starting pitcher, was credited with the victory. She surrendered just one run and allowed two hits, while striking out nine batters in over five innings pitched. The Blaze totaled nine hits in the game, with multiple hits from Brooklyn, Aila, Sarah, and Azariah. Blaze players Izzy, Sybil, and Elvia all drove in runs and the team stole a total of 18 bases.

“The tone of the game was set with a double play in the first inning, when Blaze catcher Lyla retrieved a passed ball to stop a runner from coming home, and then threw down to her sister, Elvia, to stop the steal at second,” said Goldin. “Way to come back on Sunday and put up a strong fight, girls! And in the rain, no less.”

The Blaze 10U Goldin team started the tournament going 0-3 in Pool B on Saturday, Sept. 17, but one of those defeats was to the Phantom – Riley team they defeated in the championship game.

The Alameda Blaze 10U Red team also competed in the tournament. They went 2-1 in Pool A but lost, 2-1, to Synergy Castro Valley Mora in the first round of the gold bracket. All 10U tournament games were played at the Worth Shaw Community Park in Antioch.

The AGSA Blaze 12U Red – Tautalatasi team played in the Diamond Classic 14-and-under tournament over the weekend in Danville. The team won the silver medal in the silver bracket. Team Tautalatasi, named after coach Meida Tautalatasi, defeated Livermore Smoke 14U – Robinson, 14-2, in the semifinal, Sunday morning. The Blaze lost in the final, 14-2, to the Tri-Valley Shamrocks Sunday afternoon. The 12U Red team went 1-2 in pool play on Saturday. All 14U tournament games were played at Monte Vista High School.

“This team is such a strong and resilient team,” said Tautalatasi. “They played six games and one of those games in the pouring rain! Pitcher Rory B. pitched her heart out in the rain, which is not easy to do. Our defense was incredible through the weekend as well as our offense we were able to collect a total of 40 hits this weekend.”

'The 2023 Spring recreational softball season registration will be opening soon, as well as plans for a Fun Ball Day, athlete clinics, and more. Head to www.alamedagsa.com for more information. There are recreational softball and competitive teams for all skill levels.