Steal Breeze 14-under team is good and going to be even better

The record says the Petaluma Steal Breeze 14-under girls softball team is very good.

The players’ birth certificates say the team is going to be even better.

The Steal Breeze’s win in last week’s Rohnert Park Tournament gave it five wins in six tournaments this summer.

The amazing part of the Steal Breeze’s success story is that every member of the team still has a season left in the same age division.

That includes the exceptional one-two pitching punch of Dana Thomsen and Courtney Ludlow.

Thomsen has been dominant all season. “When she is on, she has command of five pitches,” says manager Gary Andersen. “She is not afraid to throw any pitch on any count.”

Ludlow has provided valuable innings during tournaments that require five or six games every weekend. “She is working very hard in practice,” says her manager. “She is tough when she pitches ahead in the count.”

Both pitchers benefit from outstanding catcher Carli Reinhard. She not only handles the pitchers well, but also has a strong and accurate throwing arm. She and Thomsen grew up together and think alike. “When Dana and Carli hook up, it’s magic,” Andersen says.

The infield is very solid defensively and features some of the team’s top hitters.

Third baseman Heather Zeeb is not only a very good fielder, but the No. 3 hitter in the Breeze batting order. “She has really progressed,” says her manager. “She is starting to think the game.”

Eighth-grader Ursyla Baum-garten, one of the team’s youngest players, is the shortstop. “She is very fluid and probably our best base runner,” notes Andersen.

On the right side of the infield, Ali Fusone and C.C. Perez share time at second base and Nicole Wood is at first.

According to the manager, Fusone has good footwork and a strong arm. Perez, another eighth-grader, has delivered some big hits for the Steal Breeze. “She has a knack for getting a crucial hit at the right time,” the manager says.

Wood is one of the team’s most improved players. “The difference between her last season and this year is night and day,” Andersen points out.

Two important contributors have been Lyndsey Lynch and Dana Dibble. Lynch has hit the team’s only over-the-fence home run this season.

Dibble anchors the outfield in center “She is a very good athlete,” Andersen compliments. “She has a very strong arm.”

Outfielder Audrey Guns hits the ball very hard. “All she needs is confidence,” the manager comments.

Clare Pareto is in her first year of travel ball, and is quickly learning what it is all about. “She has made a lot of progress,” Andersen says. “She wants to learn.”

Madelyn Bentley has made important contributions all season, both with bat and glove. “She may be our best outfielder coming in on fly balls,” Andersen says.

Jenelle Winters contributed as an excellent outfielder for much of the season before having to leave the team because of family commitments.

But even more than the sum of its very talented parts, the Steal Breeze is strong as a team.

“It is a great group of kids,” says Andersen. “They all get along and pull for one another.”

Helping Andersen coach the team are Will Thomsen and Bob Reinhard. Danny Winters helped for much of the season.

It has all added up to an outstanding season, with even better things ahead.