[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 71 (Friday, June 9, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE FAST PITCHING GIRL'S SOFTBALL TEAM, THE GAINSVILLE GATORS 
                      FROM NORTH CENTRAL, FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CLIFF STEARNS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 7, 2000

  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I want to bring to the attention of the 
House a great achievement by the Gainesville Gators, a girls fast pitch 
softball team from North Central Florida. The weekend of May 27th and 
28th, the Gainesville Gators won the ``Commotion by the Ocean'' 
National Softball Association Tournament. This victory qualifies the 
Gainesville Gators for this year's National Softball Association 
National Tournament. I would like to congratulate the Gators and all of 
the other teams that provided such fierce competition in this 
tournament.
  Mr. Speaker, a constituent of mine, Barry Adams, wrote an article 
describing the Gainesville Gators' win, which I will make part of the 
record at this point.

 The Gainesville Gators Ride the Wave to a Win in the Commotion by the 
                         Ocean NSA Tournament.

       The weekend of May 27 and 28th saw the start of the summers 
     first fastpitch softball tournaments. The winner from this 
     tournament would qualify for this years National Softball 
     Association National tournament. The day started out at 9:00 
     a.m. on Saturday, with the first game between the Gainesville 
     Gators traveling Softball Team and the North Florida Beach 
     All-Stars. The game was won by the Gainesville Gators 3-2. 
     The next game would pit the Gainesville Gators against the 
     Noreasters, the local host for this tournament, and started 
     at 12:00 p.m. This game was won by the Noreasters 4-3.
       This now had the Gainesville Gators at 1-1 for the 
     tournament. The third game started at 4:30 p.m. between the 
     Gainesville Gators and Tsumani, who the previous week won 
     their first tournament. The Gainesville Gators would prevail 
     with the score being 5-2. The Gainesville Gators record was 
     now 2-1 and would seed them as number 3 for the Sunday 
     tournament Championship games. Sunday started early for the 
     Gainesville Gators, the first game would be at 9:00 a.m. and 
     would pit the team against the NF Beach All-stars, whom the 
     Gainesville Gators had defeated in their first game. In this 
     action the Gainesville Gators again prevailed by defeating 
     the All- stars and would advance to the second game of the 
     day. In this type of tournament if you lose you go home, so 
     the mood of the team was to win one game at a time. Their 
     toughest competition would be the next game. This would pit 
     the Gainesville Gators against the undefeated Jax Attack team 
     and the number one seed in the tournament, based on the 
     previous days performance. This would be the second game of 
     the day for the Gainesville Gators and the first for Jax 
     Attack. In getting to the number one seed the Jax Attack had 
     allowed less than 4 total runs in their previous 3 games.
       This would be a challenge for the Gainesville Gators. They 
     accepted the challenge in defeating the Jax Attack 5-2 and 
     would advance to the Championship Game between them and the 
     Noreasters, the home team and the only team to defeat the 
     Gainesville Gators during the tournament. The game was played 
     with the results being in favor of the Gainesville Gators who 
     would win 6-5 and in doing so assure themselves the 
     Tournament Champions and an automatic bid to the NSA National 
     Tournament. The Gainesville Gators had outstanding pitching 
     by, Cassandra Sparks, Miranda Lovvorn, Annie Voyles and Kerri 
     Stroh. The infield was stingy in giving up hits, with third 
     base being covered by Jessica Howell and Shanna Gearner, 
     Shortstop by Dana Osborne, and Montie Adams, Second base was 
     bolstered by Jena Rowland and Cassandra Sparks, with First 
     base being covered by Annie Voyles and Rekeesha Duncan. The 
     outfielders provided many great plays and kept the 
     Gainesville Gators in most of the games with their fielding. 
     Right field was staffed by Alicia Gray, Melissa Fairbrother, 
     Center field was covered by Melissa Fairbrother and Tiffany 
     Goode, Left Field was covered by Montie Adams and Shanna 
     Gearner. Catching was handled by Tiffany Goode, Alicia Gray 
     and Annie Voyles. The coaching Staff, Head Coach Teresa 
     Kraus, Assistant Coach David Sparks and Kelly Stroh were 
     proud of the accomplishments of the team with the playing, 
     hitting and overall skills displayed over the weekend.
       Rekeesha Duncan became the power during two of the games, 
     with a fence clearing home run that sealed the victory over 
     the number 1 seed, Jax Attack and a hit to the fence in the 
     Championship game.
       All the players were successful in getting hits at critical 
     times and stealing bases. Overall the team provided the 
     hitting and fielding at the critical times. The Gainesville 
     Gators finished the tournament with a record of 5-1. The team 
     consists of girls from all over the surrounding areas of 
     Gainesville. They run from Lawtey, Lulu, Starke, Gainesville, 
     Bronson, Inglis, Williston, Archer, Providence and Lake 
     Butler, Florida.
       The team Coaches: Head Coach, Teresa Kraus; Asst Coach, 
     David Sparks; and Asst Coach, Kelly Stroh.
       Players:
       Montie Adams, Redeesha Duncan, Melissa Fairbrother, Alicia 
     Gray, Shanna Gearner, Tiffany Goode, Jessica Howell, Miranda 
     Lovvorn, Dana Osborne, Jena Rowland, Cassandra Sparks, Kerry 
     Stroh, and Annie Voyles

     

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