Club Team to Watch: Norcal Firecrackers 2K

Club Team to Watch: Norcal Firecrackers 2K

Pictured: the NorCal Firecrackers 2K team after winning the PGF West 18U Pretty In Pink Tourney at Sac City College this fall.In December, FloSoftball will

Nov 24, 2015 by Brentt Eads
Club Team to Watch: Norcal Firecrackers 2K
Pictured: the NorCal Firecrackers 2K team after winning the PGF West 18U Pretty In Pink Tourney at Sac City College this fall.

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Pictured: the NorCal Firecrackers 2K team after winning the PGF West 18U Pretty In Pink Tourney at Sac City College this fall.

In December, FloSoftball will launch our 2016 Preseason FAB 50 Club Rankings for the 16U division.  

We’ve been at events all fall checking out top players and teams and are starting to assemble our list of the best teams in the nation.

To submit info on teams you think should make the FAB 50 16U list, e-mail: Brentt.Eads@FloSports.tv

From time to time, we’ll profile teams under consideration for the rankings and today we spotlight a team from Northern California that’s a first year 16U program which last year finished 17th at the PGF 14U Nationals and is a combination of standout 2018 and ’19 players.

Paulie Gabales is the head coach along with assistants Sam and Jess Quan and Joey Rodriguez and talks about the background of his team, their successes in 2015 and what their goals are for next summer…

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When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be?
We are part of the Norcal Firecrackers Baisdon group.  Our Firecracker organization was one of the first of its kind that was not in Southern California.  It has grown from Mike Baisdon’s original team to include all age groups now.

Where are you based and where are your athletes from?
We are based in Stockton, California and practice at Arnaiz Stadium. Our players come from all over Northern California and the Bay Area.  

What was the purpose of creating the team (showcase players, win titles, develop skills, etc.)?
 This team is focused on building a solid fundamental foundation both at the plate and in the field.  We play at the highest level possible to prepare these girls to play on the college level.  Although we have won our fair share, it is more important that they learn the right way to play, the right mindset, work ethic and commitment.  Those are the things that they can take from this game they love and apply to everyday life after softball.  Then we are successful.

What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
We are a first year 16U team and we have been mainly showcasing them this fall.  A high number of our players have attended lots of camps and unofficial visits this fall.  We did win the 18U PGF West - Pretty in Pink tourney in Sacramento.  At the 14U level we ended up 17th at the PGF Premier Nationals in Huntington Beach.  We were the Gold Bracket Champions (9th place) at the 2015 14U TC/USA Nationals.  We won the 16U Sacramento ASA Memorial Day Tourney Championship.  As a first year 14U team we placed 3rd at PGF 14U Platinum Nationals and also were the 14U Fresno Force Classic Champions.

What makes the organization unique?
We strive to foster a family environment and to build off of all the foundation Tony Rico laid down that has made the Firecracker name so respected.  Fundamentals are the key.  At the same time we try to build a culture of competing and winning and developing these girls to get them ready to play college softball and to excel academically.  

What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?
I have been coaching at the Junior Olympic level for eight years.  I have 24 players that I have guided into college from NAIA to Division 1.  I also have coached on the high school level at St. Marys High School for five years and every year we have won the league title and gone on to the section playoffs.  Before that I was a men’s fastpitch coach for four years and a player for 16 years, going to the National Championships 12 of those years as a player.  During that time I played with Curtis Miller, who coaches our second year 16’s team.  He asked me to take over this team a couple of years ago and the rest is history.
 
How many teams are there in the organization overall?
Right now there are 10: two 18U, three 16U, two 14U, two 12U and a 10U with more younger teams coming aboard this fall.

Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team's history?
We went to our first 14U PGF Qualifier in May in Las Vegas last year with nine players.  Many of our freshmen were still in the playoffs for high school ball so they could not go.  We went 4-0 and qualified for Premier Nationals.  It was hot, windy and miserable, but the girls just gutted it out and showed some tremendous heart and passion for the game.  That was one of my favorite moments as a coach of F2K.

What is your primary focus or goal with this team?
Our immediate goal is to find the right college for each individual on this team while at the same time pushing us as a team to qualify for 16U PGF Premier Nationals and finish in the top 10.
 
What do you think are the strengths of the team?
I think we are extremely sound defensively and have two outstanding pitchers.  We put the ball in play on offense and like to put pressure on teams with solid bats all through the lineup.  So I would say we are pretty balanced.

If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?
I think we put a lot of heart into each girl and give them a tremendous effort to get them where they need to go.  We do not have a revolving door always looking to replace someone on the roster with the next greatest player.  I understand once in a while girls move on and have a better fit somewhere else due to number of players at their position, geography, whatever.  I still try and maintain a good relationship with them, because in the end I want them all to succeed and I will help them do so.

Finally, anything else about your team that’s different or unusual?
We have three sets of sisters on the team! Dariana (2018) and Sanae Orme (2019); Frankie (2018) and Nicole Hammoude (2019) and twins Mazie and Makenzie Macfarlane (2019).

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Coach Paulie Gabales talks with his Firecrackers team.

Here are player-by-player “scouting reports” of each player on the Norcal Firecrackers 2K team from the coaching staff…

P Dariana Orme (2018, uncommitted)
Dariana is a dominant pitcher throwing in the mid-60’s with great spin and lots of movement. She commands the mound and loves big situations.  Dariana has offers on the table and/or interest from Fresno State, Ohio State, Campbell, Michigan, Cal, UC Riverside, Bradley and more.

1B Frankie Hammoude (2018, Oregon State)
Frankie is a feared power hitter and is a threat to go deep every time. She won the Zepp Hitting Award at the recent On Deck Western National Elite camp at Mt. SAC. She had offers from several Pac-12 and Mountain West schools before committing to the Beavers.

C Megan Lutz (2018, Campbell)
Megan is rock solid behind the plate and is one of the best catchers in Norcal of any age with plenty of power in her bat. She has verballed to Campbell University.

CF Mazie Macfarlane (2019, uncommitted)
Mazie is a lead off natural lefty gap hitter who can also slap when needed. She has a really strong arm in the outfield and great instincts to the ball. Mazie led the team in OBP and runs scored on the spring and summer teams. She has offers and/or interest from Boise State, Pacific, Utah State, Fresno State, Oklahoma, Missouri, Cal, Colorado State.

3B Makenzie Macfarlane (2019, uncommitted)
Makenzie has a strong arm and plays solid defense behind the plate. She tied for the fastest pop time home at the recent On Deck Western National Elite camp at Mt. SAC.  Makenzie also led our spring and summer teams in RBI. She can and has played almost every position but pitcher. Makenzie has offers and/or interest from Boise State, Pacific, Utah State, Fresno State, Cal, Oregon State, Grand Canyon and Colorado State.

P Madison Keller (2019, uncommitted)
Madison is getting better and has more interest every day. She has unlimited upside as she’s tall and athletic with 62-64 mph speed to go with a nasty change-up and curve. She had a great Early Thanksgiving Showcase at Surf City.  Her camp invites starting to roll in with strong interest from Pacific, UC Santa Barbara, Boston University and Colorado State.

3B/SS/OF Nicole Hammoude (2019, uncommitted)
Nicole has great range and a strong arm with a really solid skill set. She’s a gap hitter with above average power and is getting better and stronger every day.  She has interest and invites from UC Santa Barbara, Oklahoma, Oregon State, Fresno State, Cal and more.

MIF Hannah Clavelle (2018, uncommitted)
Hannah is a heads-up player with strong softball IQ and pop in her bat. She has great range in the infield with a strong arm. Hannah is very intelligent with interest from Nevada, Colorado State, Mercer, Colgate, Stonybrook, and Ivy League-type schools.

MIF Lacey Sandoval-Gallegos (2018, uncommitted)
Lacey has a really strong bat with extra power and pop. She had the strongest showing at the Early Thanksgiving Showcase at the plate. Lacey is strong defensively and is a general on the field. She has interest from Portland State, BYU, UC Riverside and more.

MIF/OF Sanae Orme (2019, uncommitted)
Sanae is a lefty slapper with above-average speed and a great attitude and work ethic. She has offers and/or interest from Portland State, Campbell, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara and more.

OF Elysabeth Porter (2019, uncommitted)
Elysabeth might be the best athlete on the team.  She consistently has scored in the high 90’s on her ODM at many On Deck camps, including the On Deck Western National Elite camp at Mt. SAC this fall.  She is a vocal leader and you can hear her words of encouragement on the next field over.  Elysabeth is a hard-working young lady with strong leadership and great attitude. Newer to the team, she is now getting strong interest form the Big West and WAC.

1B/3B Abigail Parises (2018, uncommitted)
Abigail has a big bat with power to burn.  She has battled back after taking most of the spring and summer off with an injury, but is back to 100 percent and we expect big things at the plate.  She has attended a few camps and the interest is building form several western schools.

2B/OF Molly Kolander (2018, uncommitted)
Molly is an athletic and speedy outfielder with a great attitude and is a consummate  team player. She comes from an athletic family as her older siblings played collegiately; one sister is playing at Cal Baptist.  Molly is newer to the team this fall and she is just now starting to get strong looks. Biola, San Francisco State and UC Santa Barbara are expressing strong interest.

OF/2B Ashley Esty (2018, uncommitted)
Ashley is elite with uncoachable speed and strength in this slapper.  She can also swing away with solid power.  Ashley has great range in the outfield and there aren’t too many fly balls she cannot get to. Ashley is recently new to the team, but has already attended camps in the Mountain West and Big West and will get many coaches attention this spring with her speed, glove and defense. She has a great work ethic and attitude and was 1st team All-Conference as a freshman on her high school team.

OF/1B Natalie Miller (2018, uncommitted)
This kid is an athlete.  Natalie has extremely high end bat speed and can hit one out at any point.  She can leg out a triple as well with great speed for her size.  She will be a great addition and will make an immediate impact in out lineup. Natalie will get most schools attention and has been to many camps with Mountain West and Pac-12 schools following her.