Congratulations to the new members of Texas Storm DeMarini Gold and 18U - Newsom

18 GOLD QUALIFIES FOR ASA GOLD NATIONALS

For the 6th consecutive year the Texas Storm DeMarini Gold team qualified for the ASA Gold National Championship in Oklahoma City in August, 2008. The team finished 6-1 in an 81 team Southern Territory Qualifier to capture one of only 6 berths to the prestigious tournament that hosts the top 64 gold teams in the country. Kelsey Nichols lead the offense going 8 for 15 with three extra base hits and seven RBIs. The Storm outscored their opponents 29-11 with a great team effort offensively and defensively. Their only loss came in a heartbreaker vs Texas Eclipse that came back from a 3-0 deficit in the final inning of the game to win 4-3. The Storm bounced back on Sunday afternoon by defeating Houston Power 8-2 and Katy Heat 5-0 to claim the berth to OKC. "This was simply the best display of team softball that I have witnessed in my 16 years of coaching. Our players became a TEAM this weekend and their unselfish play was absolutely amazing!"

16u TEAM QUALIFIES FOR ASA NATIONALS, METRO CHAMPIONS

The Texas Storm DeMarini 16U Team qualifies for ASA Nationals by winning the Harris County Metro National Qualifier in Humble, Texas. The team was undefeated going into the final game of the winner's bracket, and secured a berth to nationals by defeating the '93 Texas Sting. The Houston Power came through the loser's bracket, and after taking game 1 in the first game, was again defeated by the Texas Storm in a 4-0 shutout. Gabby Avila led the team in the circle with a 4-0 record for the tournament. The team will travel to Owensboro, KY to compete for the ASA 16U National Championship the last week in July. 

2008 Grads Sign NLI

For the 2nd consecutive year, the 18 Gold team announces all seniors sign early with Division 1 programs. "We credit this great milestone to our ability to bring talented players into our program, and to the competitive schedule that we play year round." Our players enjoy participation in some of the top-ranked exposure tournaments in the country, and we are fortunate to have a reputation that affords us the opportunity to play some of the top teams in the country. This is the first time in program history that we also have early verbal commitments for two of our 2009 grads, both accepting an offer to play for Baylor University. "We have a large junior class and we are pleased that those players are already making commitments to great programs." We are also very excited about early signings for two seniors in our new 18U program. "Carla Newsom heads up this new team for us, and has really taken a young and talented group of athletes to the next level. She and (coach) Kelly Bembry have made a great impact on our program in a short period of time, and we are excited about where this team is headed."

2008 GRADS:

Nikki Chandler (SS) Oregon State; Leslie LeJune (OF) Southern Miss; Audra Wood (OF) Lehigh; Chelsea Bryson (OF) UNC-Greensboro; Megan Parten (C) Texas State; Cami Newsome (P) Central Arkansas; Roxy Cassel (C) UL-Monroe; Kelsey Kaiser (SS/2B) UT-Arlington

2009 GRADS:

Holly Holl (C) Baylor; Kelsi Kettler (1B) Baylor

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.