July 5, 2024
FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Texas Unity Smith/Dehn put on an early fireworks show in its final Colorado Sparkler Junior 14u open game Thursday, lighting off seven extra-base hits en route to a commanding Fourth of July victory.
Gabriella Flores produced the two biggest blasts as the second baseman sent off a pair of two-run home runs — one in the third inning and another in the fifth. Her four RBI led all Texas Unity bats in a 10-4 win over Pono Athletics Clement.
“It felt good,” the three-hole hitter said. “I was glad I could contribute to my team.”
Batting one spot ahead of Flores, third baseman Jaelynn Talasek roped three doubles that each fell just short of clearing the Rolland Moore Park (Fort Collins) Field 3 fence. She still got to jog home twice, at least, on Flores’ two blasts.
Not to be forgotten, cleanup hitter Maci Guerrero and catcher Genesis Garcia also joined the party with one double each.
“One through five, any one of those guys can hit the ball hard,” said Texas Unity head coach Bryce Dehn. “Their slugging percentage is super high — a lot of doubles and a lot of home runs.”
Texas Unity never trailed, scoring three runs in the first and third innings before tallying two in the fifth and sixth frames. Pono Athletics managed two runs in the third, one in the fourth and another in the fifth.
Texas Unity pitcher Avery Williams struggled at times with command but was still effective across six innings. Aided by plenty of run support, she allowed five hits, three walks and struck out nine.
“I feel like I could have done better because I did walk quite a few people,” Williams said. “But overall, I'd say I pitched decent.”
While Williams wasn’t entirely pleased with her outing, it wasn’t for lack of preparation.
“She's probably one of the hardest-working kids that I've ever coached,” Dehn said. “She busts her butt in the weight room five, six days a week, and she pitches four or five days a week. She's a super good, athletic kid that likes to win.”
For the Athletics, Norah Clements had two singles and Phoebe Talley connected on a fourth-inning double.
After falling to Tulsa Shootout ‘10 earlier on Thursday (15-5), Texas Unity finished pool play at 2-2 and is now headed to the Silver B bracket. Dehn’s squad will face the third-place team in Pool Z on Friday at Rolland Moore, with first pitch scheduled for noon.
Pono Athletics also closed pool play at 2-2 with wins against Texas Elite Bancroft and Colorado Blaze Mastriona. Now in the Silver F bracket, they’ll battle the fourth-place team in Pool Z on Friday (8 a.m.) at Severance Community Park.
