Staten Island, New York, July, 20 & 21, 2002
The host New York Panthers 16U
blue squad won
the 16U championship to qualify for the Pony nationals.
In the tournament final, the Panthers blue edged the Midnight Thunder
(Lawrenceville, NJ) 5-4 as Brianne Russo delivered a pair of run scoring triples
and Stephanie Longworth rapped a two-run single.
Diane Morrison recorded her second victory of the day, and Stefanie
Forlenza picked up the save in relief.
The Panthers Blue eariler defeated the Richmond County Sapphires,
Morrison tossed a two-hitter with seven strikeouts, Forlenza went 2 for 3 with
an RBI double, Elizabeth Trainor went 2 for 2 with three RBI, and Russo slammed
a three-run triple, the first of a trio of three-baggers on the day.
Forlenza was the winning pitcher in the semi-final win over the Mystic
Red with six strikeouts, while Maria Consolmagno, Kristina Samaritano, and Jill
Grzeczka stroked RBI singles.