By Carlos Arias
Photos by Orlando Ramirez/USA TODAY

Texas Sudden Impact burst on the scene when it shocked top-ranked Power Surge 03-Bachtell on Tuesday and the Sudden Impact completed its amazing run with a 6-1 triumph over Texas Impact Gold-Esparza to capture the 12U Premier title at the PGF Nationals on Friday afternoon at Deanna Manning Stadium at Bill Barber Park in Irvine, Calif.



Erna Carlin emerged as Sudden Impact's ace over the course of the tournament, pitching six consecutive complete games to close out the tournament.

"I had to ice my back," Carlin said. "I rolled out every day. I had different tiger bombs put on my back. It was hard. I stretched out a lot."

Sudden Impact was in control the entire game, building a 6-0 lead and letting Carlin take care of business in the circle. She held Impact Gold to five hits, walked three and struck out four to get the complete game win. Livvy McFadden's RBI double in the top of the seventh broke up Carlin's shutout bid.


"First off, they are one of the best hitting teams in the country," Sudden Impact coach Troy Falterman said. "They're by far the best hitting team we have faced this week. We knew we had to throw strikes and play good defense. Fortunatly, 'E' was on. She struggled a little bit in the first inning, but she settled down and started to get her screwball inside and her curve away. Our defense played flawless. I don't think we had an error today. When we pitch good and play good defense and when we knew we could score a couple runs, we thought we be in good shape."

Madelyn Lopez went 3 for 3 with a sacrifice, a stolen base and two runs, Sam Graeter went 3 for 4 with a stolen base and two runs, Amanda Shivington went 1 for 4 with two RBI, Kelsie Kelso went 1 for 3 with a two-run single, Kenley Strange went 2 for 3 with a double and a run and Kayla Falterman had an RBI triple to lead Sudden Impact.

"Our top of the lineup is really strong," Graeter said. "I think if we get on base, everyone else does. I think that is a big reason why we won. We just came in the clutch."



Kayla Falterman said the upset over Power Surge in the second round powered Sudden Impact's run to the national title.

"Power Surge is one of the best teams in country," Falterman said. "That goes without saying, without a doubt. Fortunately, we came away with a 1-0 victory. It gave these kids confidence that they could play with anybody. It kind of gave us a little momenteum. I think from there on, we just kept going from that perspective."

[album albumId="450256"]