Gold Teams Prepare for Summer Qualifiers

Texas Storm Demarini fields two gold teams in 2009

This summer for the first time both 18U teams will prepare for and attempt to qualify for ASA Gold Nationals. In 2008, Texas Storm-Newsom qualified for ASA 18A Nationals. This year the coaches voted unaminously to allow Coach Newsom to register and play ASA Gold. "This is a young team, but with a few key seniors, we feel that the team can compete at that level." Joanne Krienitz (UTEP signee) in the circle, Chelsea D'Ambrosio (UNCG signee) behind the plate, and Jessica Savage (Texas State signee) in the middle of the infield will provide experience and leadership as the team ventures into a difficult qualifying season. Tina Schulz, Mari Noguera and Lauren McClary will all provide additional pitching depth and allow Coach Newsom a lot of options at game time. "We are excited about the opportunity to send two teams to a Gold National Championship. We have some good young talent on this team as well, and we feel that they are up to the task."

16u TEAM AT FULL STRENGTH AND READY TO COMPETE

The Texas Storm DeMarini 16U Team qualified for ASA Nationals in 2008, and Coach Zarate has put together a completely new team that appears to be ready for the challenge. With only four returning players from 2008, the team has taken on a new look with some amazing young talent. "This team has it all; depth in the circle, hitting throughout the lineup, good team speed, and a lot of versatility on defense." This team travelled to Southern California in the Fall to play in the Batbuster Tournament, and posted a 6-2 record while defeating the CA Grapettes along the way. We feel that this could be one of the top 16U teams in this area, and we are excited to see what the upcoming summer season holds in store for them. They will attempt to qualify for ASA Nationals at the Houston Metro Tournament in June, and then will travel to Boulder, CO to play in the top recruiting tournament in the country for the July 4 weekend.

2009 Grads Make A Mark at the Collegiate Level

This year the program will graduate 14 seniors, and those players will move on to play college softball in programs all over the US. In addition, we have two 2010 graduates that have already committed to play college softball. Our program congratulates these players and their parents on their success and we wish all of them luck in their future softball and academic endeavors.

2009 GRADS:

Kelsey Kettler (C/1B) Baylor; Ashley Bertot (OF/2B) Buffalo; Amber Klug (C) Henderson State; Jennifer Bergeron (IF) Columbia; Anne Marie Taylor (P) Texas State; Brooke Baker (OF/3B) Texas State; Alex Reynolds (IF) Westpoint; Molly Reynolds (OF/2B) Fort Hays; Kelsey Nichols (OF) SE Louisiana; Beth Dietrich (P) Southern Miss; Chelsea D'Ambrosio (C) UNCG; Joanne Krienitz (P) UTEP (committed while with Houston Power); Jessica Savage (IF) Texas State (committed while with TX Eclipse)

2010 GRADS:

Brittany Lilly (3B) Southern Miss; Kendall Stiefel (P) HBU

16U / 18U Teams

If you are interested in trying out for the 16U team, contact Oscar Zarate at (713) 447-1070. If you are interested in trying out for the 18U team, contact Carla Newsom at (832) 385-6143. For more information about tryouts, click on the TRYOUT button above.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Nationally known competitive girls fastpitch softball organization which is based in the greater Houston area, and is home to a 16U, 18U and 18 Gold team. The organization is committed to ASA fastpitch softball exclusively, and all teams compete at the highest level possible. The Texas Storm DeMarini competes in some of the most prestigious tournaments in an effort to showcase high school athletes to college coaches. The emphasis of the organization is on training of all fundamental skills at the younger levels, and college exposure and assistance in recruiting at the Gold level. Our gold team plays in the following college exposure tournaments:

• "Rising Stars Showcase" - Plantation, FL.
• "Batbuster's Pre-Thanksgiving Tournament" - Orange County, CA.
• "Ronald McDonald Benefit Tournament" - Houston, TX.
• Team New Jersey Invitational Showcase
• "Louisville Slugger Independence Day Tourney" - Boulder, CO.
• ASA Gold Sector and Regional National Qualifiers

TEXAS STORM DEMARINI announces new name and multi-year partnership with Wilson DeMarini

The TEXAS STORM DEMARINI (formerly Texas Storm Gold) has just reached an agreement with the Wilson - DeMarini Sporting Goods Co. to provide sponsorship for the organization in the form of equipment for tournaments over the next three years. The sporting goods giant will be an exclusive equipment sponsor for the 18 Gold team while providing meaningful discounts on equipment to the younger age teams within the organization.

"We believe that this move gives our organization name recognition and will help set us apart from the rest of the field. We are excited about the exclusive use of the company's new state-of-the-art composite bats and are confident that our players will see the results in their game performances."

Venus Taylor, the new head of the Fastpitch Softball Operations, and Jay Schindler, our local contact, have been very good to work with. We as an organization have pledged to help market their new products in the fastpitch community and to promote their equipment by providing real visibility wherever we go.