And then there were four.

The stakes are getting higher as the teams in the PGF National Premier divisions advance in the winner’s brackets.

 The quarterfinals Wednesday night have a little of everything… here are some of the highlights:

 

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Beverly Bandits Premier 8, Birmingham Thunderbolts ‘97 0
After the emotional seventh inning win earlier in the day, when the Bolts were down to their final strike in the bottom of the seventh but found a way to win on a walk-off two-run hit, it appeared the Alabama team was spent and it wasn’t a good time to face perhaps the hottest pitcher in the tourney, Alexis Holloway (2017, Notre Dame). Holloway threw a no-hitter earlier in the day and allowed only two hits in 4 2/3 innings in this game. Most impressively, she hasn’t allowed an earned run in 25 2/3 innings and with her 4-0 record has given up just six hits with 37 K’s to only two walks. Wow.

 

Corona Angels-Dena 4, Carolina Elite-Fusetti 3
This game was a slugfest between two talented teams and came down to a unearned run in the seventh due to an infielder error. Catcher Reis Birkett (2015, Idaho State) had a key two-run double and pitcher Samaria Diaz (2016, uncommitted) came in and pitched the final two innings in scoreless relief.

 

So Cal A’s-Myers/McNee 6, Atlanta Vipers-Kates 3
For the first game in the tourney—including pool games—first baseman Sarai Niu (2015, uncommitted) didn’t hit a home run, but the A’s found other offensive contributors including Chelsea Purcell (2016, Notre Dame) who knocked in two runs and four other players each drove in one apiece. Makayla Martin (2015, Auburn) came in and pitched a scoreless 1 2/3 inning to get the win.
 

EC Bullets-Bass 8, Ohio Outlaws 5
The Outlaws looked like they had the game well in hand after putting up five runs in the bottom of the third, but the Bullets battled back with four in the 5^th inning and a run in the 6th to tie it. The game went to the 8th and the Bullets put three on the board to take the game and advance to the semi’s Thursday morning. Leading the comeback was catcher/infielder Morgan Kazerooni (2015, Ole Miss) who hit a three-run home run.

 

The top teams still alive in the winner’s brackets as of Wednesday, 9:30 pm PST:

16U Premier
Beverly Bandits
Corona Angels-Dena
So Cal A’s-Myers/McNee
EC Bullets-Bass

14U Premier
AZ Suncats
OC Batbusters-Campbell
So Cal A’s-Quarles
Angels-Tyson