The Slammers at the USA ASA National Championships in College Park Texas earlier this August. Photo contributed by Dale Barker It was a Cinderella story.

The Sandhills Slammers, playing in the USA ASA National Championships in College Park, Texas, August 1–8, staved off elimination five times in one day to finish in 13th place out of 160 teams.

After last year’s surprise qualification to the nationals, the Sandhills Slammers were hopeful of a better showing. But they were unsure after the team experienced a hitting drought (.175) against the nation’s best pitchers and ended their 2009 run much sooner than expected.

All that changed this year as the team hit .320 and dug themselves out of seemingly impossible circumstances again and again to rip off five wins in a row, earning the respect of teams around the country.

“I was in disbelief at how well these girls played,” said Slammers coach Doug Frye. “It was an amazing run. A lot of coaches and scouts were very impressed with our team.”

Playing in weather that topped 100 degrees most days, the Slammers went 1–1 in pool play but fell into the loser’s division after going 2–1 in bracket play. One more loss, and the team would be headed back to Columbia.

The girls were immediately tested with a matchup against Indiana’s Rochester Rockets, a game that started at midnight.

The team recorded an easy 8–1 win with consecutive hits in the third inning by Ansley Ard, Brooke Maxwell, Annalise Hughen, Brittany Carr, and Kayley Wilson. Savannah Terrapin pitched a complete game allowing only five hits.

Only a few short hours later, the Slammers returned to the park at 9 a.m. for a 10:30 game against another strong California team, the Sorcerers.

The game was a scoreless tie after seven innings. The Sorcerers were able to put up a run in the top of the eighth, but the Slammers plated two for the win on a Maxwell hit with two runners on base. Ard pitched a complete game.

Next up was a late– afternoon matchup against the Sidewinders from Washington State. The Slammers broke open a sixth–inning 1–1 tie with four runs to win by a final of 5–1. Three games in and still alive. Terrapin again pitched a complete game, allowing one run in the first inning.

Next up was an 8:30 p.m. game against the Washington Explosion, another game that went down to the wire. Tied 2–2 in the seventh, Ard led off with a triple. The Explosion intentionally walked two batters to load the bases. That might have been a mistake.

Wilson, who had hit two game–winning home runs in last year’s nationals for the Slammers’ only two wins, played small ball, cracking an infield hit that scored the game– winning run. Ard picked up the complete game win.

With time to take a few breaths, the Slammers took to the field for an 11 p.m. game against the Arizona Hotshots. It looked good as the Slammers brought a 7–4 lead into the seventh. But several errors allowed the Hotshots to score two runs. With the bases loaded and no outs, Ard came in to relieve Terrapin and forced a grounder up the middle that resulted in a double play at home and first. She struck out the next batter, and the Slammers lived to play on.

Running on fumes, the Slammers returned to the field at 7:45 a.m. for a 9 a.m. matchup against the Georgia Academy Power. Down by four runs, the girls rallied for three runs but fell 5–3, ending their incredible run with a 13th place finish.

But the message was heard loud and clear in Texas, said Frye. These girls from the Midlands are tough.

“These girls can play, and a lot of people saw that,” he said. “South Carolina softball is catching up to the other great teams. I believe we can compete at the highest level.”

Stay tuned. At least 10 girls are eligible to return next year.