Three Palisadian players and one coach played an important role as the Santa Monica Shockwave Fastpitch Softball All-Star team finished ninth in the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) Western Nationals in Prescott, Arizona earlier this month. The 18U Shockwave were represented by Pacific Palisades residents Shannon Dunn (catcher at Palisades High), Aly Hoch (first baseman and outfielder for Windward) and Phelan Arata (second baseman for Marlborough) and manager Kathy Caverly. The team’led by coach Jim Hall, Chris Druckman and Caverly’became the first Westside fastpitch softball team of any age to travel to the Nationals since joining the Junior Olympic-sponsored ASA in 2006. The league’s season began in February, with several hundreds of teams from Washington to Arizona eying the summer prize of Nationals. All-Star selections were made in April and an intensive practice and tune-up tournament schedule ensued. After participating at the Southern California District tournament in Camarillo, June 24 to 26, the Shockwave advanced to play in the State championships. At State, held in Lancaster July 8 to 10, the Santa Monica girls finished sixth and advanced to the ASA Western Nationals in Arizona, August 3 to 6. The Shockwave arrived in Prescott full of hope and confidence, while acknowledging the long odds that accompanied the youngest team in the tournament and a depleted pitching staff. After an impressive pool-play run, Santa Monica battled the Heat (from Valley Verde, Arizona) in the winners bracket and fell in a nail-biting pitchers’ duel, 2-1. The Heat lost only one game in the tournament’a 5-3 defeat against the Shockwave during pool play’and went on to win the Nationals. Even in defeat, the youthful Santa Monica squad fought valiantly at the tournament, as timely hitting, composed defense and deft management of the team’s pitchers resulted in the historic top-10 finish. Dunn, the Shockwave’s starting catcher, got her start playing ball in the Pacific Palisades Baseball Association, where she played one season for the Mustang Orioles and another for the Bronco Dodgers before moving to softball. She hit .356 for PaliHi as a sophomore and earned second-team Western League honors, helping the Dolphins (14-8-3, 11-1) win the Western League and advance to the City Section Invitational quarterfinals. Palisadian girls (ages 6 to 18) interested in joining the Santa Monica Fastpitch Softball League next spring are encouraged to visit the league Web site to register by January: www.santamonicagirlsfastpitch.org/
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