BlueBlaze96 team has Unicoi ties
Curtis Carden
ccarden@erwinrecord.net
The fast-pitch softball team, BlueBlaze96, recently won the ISA at the “Best of the Mountain” tournament on Aug. 6 in Crossville.
BlueBlaze96 is comprised of high school and middle schoolers within the Tri-Cities area and competed with teams from Tennessee and Kentucky while in Crossville
Lady Devil and current sophomore at UCHS, Kaylee Nicholson, was apart of a three pitcher rotation for the BlueBlaze96 that combined to give up just 18 hits, seven walks and striking out 16 overall during the tournament.
Science Hill’s Emma Martindale and Knox Halls’ Daniele Beeler were the other two members of the pitching staff.
Not to be out done on the offensive side of things, current Lady Devils, Taylor Wright and Brooke Strother, led the team in the home run category.
The team consists of other Lady Devil products, including Tiffany Laughren, Haley Webb and Cassie Foster.
In the five games of the ISA, BlueBlaze96 accumulated over 20+ runs during the day’s festivities.
The ISA is the fifth tournament win of the year for the squad.
Head coach, Lee Pastel, is a veteran of the fast-pitch softball realm, coaching since 2001.
His past endeavors include coaching the Greeneville Stars and the Tennessee White Lightning.
The rest of the coaching staff includes James Laughren, Kristina Pastel, and Erica Nicholson.
Tournament number six is around the corner for coach Pastel’s squad, with the ladies participating in the Heroes Classic which is to be held at Riverview Elementary Complex on Friday, Sept.2.
