PONY Cherry Blossum  April 18, 2010  

Crushers sweep to Cherry Blossom Championship  

The ’99 Virginia Crushers fought through two tough games to win the 2010 PONY Cherry Blossom Classic in Vienna, Va.  In the semi-final game, back to back singles by Serenity Stewart and Madison Hool resulted in the tying run scoring on an illegal pitch by  the Vienna Stars pitcher.  In the bottom of the sixth with the scored tied 1-1, Diane Anders drove a single up the middle, reaching second on a stolen base.  Leah Shipp blasted a walk off double into right center to score Anders for the win. In a repeat of last fall’s Halloween Classic the Crushers faced the Diamond State Swoop.  Erin Jones scored in the third after a single. While stealing second the throw went into centerfield and Jones was able to score.  The Swoop threatened in the 4^th with back to back hits, however catcher Emily Weatherholtz twice threw out Swoop runners attempting to steal second.  The Crushers blew the game open in the fifth.  After a leadoff triple by shortstop Julia Sinnett, Sydney Fisher drover her in.  With two outs the Crushers got hits from Shipp, Amanda Beane, and Weatherholtz to take the 5-0 victory. The game was the Crushers 38^th straight win, posting a 38-0-1 record while winning 7 consecutive tournament championships.  The Crushers play this weekend in Annandale, Va in the 2010 SYA Kaboom Classic before heading to Delaware for the 2010 Smyrna Open Qualifier.