The Softball Nation Nationals did not start well for the Scrappers-Austin 18-U team in Virginia Beach last Thursday, but the tournament ended well for the Roanoke-based squad, as they won four straight games on Sunday in 105 degree heat to capture the championship. The elements played a key role in the quality of play as players fought the heat during a grueling day that began with an 8:30 AM start and ended at around 5:00 PM.

The Scrappers-Austin team drove to Virginia Beach early on Thursday AM and got out of the cars and played two pool games. They lost 3-2 to a very good Stafford Storm squad, then blew a 4-2 lead versus the Newport News Lady Pilots in the bottom of the last inning. With two outs and none on, the Pilots benefited from two costly errors to rally for a 5-4 win on a walkoff hit. Scrapper spirits were not very high after a lackluster beginning.

On Friday, the Scrappers-Austin blasted the NOVA Blaze 10-2, and Delco Tsunami 10-0, to end pool play 2-2. With the last game ending before lunch, the heat was not much of a factor in the games. The schedule also gave members of the team time to enjoy various beach area activities. 

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Photo: (Top) The Scrappers-Austin 18-U team won the championship of the SoftballNation Nationals in Virginia Beach this past weekend. (Right) Rebecca Williams, a member of the Radford High School softball team, was one of the four Scrappers to be recognized on the all-tournament team. (Photos courtesy of Roanoke Scrappers and Betty Higginbotham)