NORTHERN ICE 11U-EKLUND

Northern ICE-007 Heritage Classic National Qualifier 2nd Place

05May2019

Northern ICE 007 took home a 2^nd place finish at the Heritage Classic National Qualifier in Joliet, IL.  After going 3-1 in pool play on Saturday behind solid hitting and defense/pitching, the team came ready for bracket play on Sunday.  In game one, the team’s bats were hot, plating 12 runs in the first three innings.  Combined with solid pitching and defense, ICE brought home a 12-0 run rule victory.  Game two was a rematch against a tough Wasco Diamonds team.  The ICE bats remained alive, hitting 0.412 and plating 4 runs in the first two innings.  The girls played great defense and held on for a 4-3 win, avenging a recent defeat in Rosemont.  The semifinals brought the Naperville Diamonds Drehs team which turned out to be another close battle.  Both teams managed one 4 run inning each, with the difference coming on a single run scored in the 3^rd to give the ICE a 5-4 victory.  The Championship game was a matchup with Batbusters.  ICE 007 plated a run in the first, but Batbusters answered with 3 of their own in the bottom of the inning.  The ICE managed to plate two more in the 4^th, but again the Batbusters answered with a run of their own.  The final score after 7 innings had the ICE 007 coming up one run short (4-3 final).  Overall, a great weekend for the Northern ICE 007 team who played inspired ball for Camille.

11/11/18 - ICE Cares event at McHenry VFW hosted by Northern ICE 02

Players and families from our Northern ICE 02 and 11U teams came out in full force to support our 7th annual Care Package event.  This year, we shipped 54 care packages to soldiers deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Korea.  Many of those soldiers deployed are part of the Wisconsin National Guard, so even more special that we are able to connect with soldiers who are from our area!  Another big THANK YOU to our players, families, and the VFW to make this such a success!

Another Undefeated Weekend at the This Able Veteran Round Robin

10/30/2018

Northern ICE 007-11U managed to go undefeated for the second time in as many weekends of play at the This Able Veteran Round Robin in Wauconda, IL. Game one was a rematch with the Downers Grove Rebels 11U squad, which ended in a 9 – 9 tie in the teams’ first meeting on September 22^nd. This time around, the Rebels were held to 3 runs behind good pitching from Claire and Kieley, and the offense remained alive as well, plating 14 runs on 14 hits including a grand slam in the second inning by Claire.

The ladies took on the Johnson Creek Lady Yellow Jackets in game 2, a team that defeated us last spring 14-0. After failing to score in the first, the ICE put multiple runs on the board in each of innings 2 through 4. Behind three solid innings of pitching from Madison, and a strong save from Ava, the Yellow Jackets were held to 4 runs. The Yellow Jackets had a mini rally brewing in the 2^nd inning that was thwarted when Grace threw out #8 trying to swipe second. ICE win big 9-4, manufacturing those runs without any extra base hits – that's execution!

Game 3 was against a veteran Vernon Hills 12U team. ICE put runs on the board in all three innings, and backed by 2 solid innings of pitching from Ellary, the ICE took a 6 – 2 lead into the third and final inning. In our half of the third, Bianca was clutch with a 2 RBI single that would end up being the game tying runs. The game ended on time in an 8 – 8 tie to preserve an undefeated weekend of excellent softball. The team hit for 0.431 on the weekend – keep it up ladies!!

Northern ICE 007-11U Thrills and Skills Tournament Champions!!

10/15/2018

The Northern ICE 007-11U team went undefeated at the chilly Thrills and Skills Tournament in Yorkville, IL this past weekend. They started the tournament strong in pool play, defeating the Tinley Park Rockers and Oswego Outlaws by scores of 12-2 and 18-7, respectively, earning a #1 seed for bracket play.

In bracket play, the ladies faced Oswego again in the opening round, this time winning 22-5. The second round pitted the 007-11U squad against a tough Naperville Diamonds 11U team. Although out hit by the Diamonds, we made plays when needed and capitalized on opportunities to take a 9-6 win and advance to the championship game against the New Lenox Power. ICE jumped to an early 5-0 lead in a hit filled first inning, and held on to win 7-6 with a walk off single by #44 Claire to drive in the winning run. CHAMPIONS!

The team amassed 68 runs in 5 games, logging a 0.439 team batting average. Great work ladies!!