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Russell 18U Diamond Diablos Capture USSSA National Title

The Russell 18 and Under Diamond Diablos pose with their plaque after winning the USSSA 18 and Under National Championship on July 24, 2021 at the Two Rivers Youth Complex in Wichita, Kansas.
The Russell 18 and Under Diamond Diablos pose with their plaque after winning the USSSA 18 and Under National Championship on July 24, 2021 at the Two Rivers Youth Complex in Wichita, Kansas.

One week after Russell captured its first ever statewide fast-pitch Softball title, Russell is now home to another champion after the 18 and Under Diamond Diablos Softball team captured the crown at the USSSA National Fastpitch Tournament in Wichita on Saturday, July 24.

It's been a busy summer for the Diablos as they competed in several tournaments with their best finish a second place showing at the Battle on the Plains held in Hays July 10 and 11 as Russell recorded a 5-1 record.

The National Tournament at the Two Rivers Youth Complex began with pool play on Thursday, July 22 and the Diamond Diablos rolled through that with three victories.  In Game 1 Russell defeated Lightning 04 out of Coffeyville, KS 7-2 with Raleigh Kramer picking up the win.  In Game 2 Kendra Bay was the winning pitcher as Russell took down the Wichita Patriots 8-0 and in the third and final game of pool play, Russell downed Pitch Perfect from Valley Center, KS 12-0 behind Brooklyn Nowak.

Bracket play commenced on Friday, July 23 and the Diablos pulled out a 4-3 victory over the Wild Blue from Winfield, KS with Kramer recording the victory and Bay notching the save.  Bay then pitched a 6-0 shutout in Russell's next game on Saturday, July 24 against the Motley Crue from Haysville, KS.  In the semifinals, the Diablos defeated the Ralston Renegades from Omaha, NE  9-5 behind Kramer to clinch a spot in the championship game.

The Renegades then forced a rematch with the Diablos after knocking off the Wichita Patriots 10-3 and they needed to beat the Diablos twice to win the title.  However, one game was all that was necessary as Russell trounced the Renegades 10-0 to finish a perfect 7-0 at the tournament with Bay pitching another complete game just as she had on July 17 when the K-18 Softball team clinched the state championship in Lucas with a 14-0 win over Ellis.

Bay was named Most Outstanding Pitcher and Offensive Most Valuable Player of the tournament while Katherine Bergkamp was voted the tournament's Defensive Most Valuable Player.

Players on the title team in addition to Bay, Bergkamp, Kramer and Nowak were Raynee Hardesty, Ashlyn Zimmer, Kayla Noller, Lizzy Hipp, Taylor Powers and Haylee Powers.  

Brandi Powers who is also head coach of the K-18 state championship team is the head coach of the Diablos and she is assisted by Tony Bay and Nathan Ryan.

This is the first time the 18 and Under Diamond Diablos have captured a National team championship.  Their best previous finish was fifth place at an annual tournament held in the Kansas City area.

The Diablos wrap up the 2021 campaign with a final record of 17-9-1.

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Kendra Bay at Nationals
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Katie Bergkamp