Amateur Notes: Buckeye Heat's 38 victories earn team national invite

Buckeye Heat was awarded an at-large berth to the 16U ASA Nationals this week in Owensboro, Ky. Team members are, in the front row from left, Stephanie Messenger; Kelly Hensley, Kristen Roznoski, Toni Hernandez, and Alaina Haubert. In the back row, from left, are assistant coach Mike Haas and assistant coach Kara Hensley, Adrienne Dick, Jessie Zappone, Brittany Richberg, Kim Bryson, Katie Dewyre, Ashlyn Michalak, Eryn Simon, and head coach Rob Gwozdz. The Buckeye Heat Toledo team is comprised of players from eight local high schools.

The 16U Buckeye Heat Toledo softball team earned a bid to play in an elite national tournament by posting a 38-8-1 regular season record this summer.

The Buckeye Heat Toledo team is comprised of players from eight local high schools. The club finished in fourth place at the Amateur Softball Association National Qualifier in Ashland, Ohio, on July 13.

The Toledo team was awarded an at-large berth to attend the prestigious 16U ASA Nationals this week in Owensboro, Ky.

The Buckeye Heat organization is based out of Columbus. It is recognized as one of the top softball organizations in the Midwest. This is the first year the group sponsored a team based in Toledo.

There will be more than 130 teams from across the country at the ASA National Tournament. The Buckeye Heat Toledo team is one of only eight from Ohio that will be participating.

The Buckeye Heat Toledo team is coached by Springfield High School coach Rob Gwozdz. Three of his high school players also play on the summer travel team. Jessie Zappone, Brittany Richberg, and Ashlyn Michalak have been key contributors.

The other team members are Stephanie Messenger (Perrysburg High), Kelly Hensley (Anthony Wayne), Kristen Roznoski (Cardinal Stritch), Toni Hernandez (Clay), Alaina Haubert (Gibsonburg), Adrienne Dick (Delta), Kim Bryson (Perrysburg), Katie Dewyre (Eastwood), and Eryn Simon (Clay).

SOFTBALL: Two of the Buckeye Heat Toledo players, Brittany Richberg and Kim Bryson, also have been selected to participate in one of the largest fast pitch showcases in the country.

The local pair was picked to attend the Queen of Diamonds Showcase South August 30-31 at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C.

This Showcase, which began in 2006, is aimed at giving high school players an opportunity to showcase their talents to college coaches. It is the largest college showcase for high school-age softball players and this year's events drew nearly 2,500 applicants.

BASEBALL: A Bedford-based youth baseball team continues to have an outstanding summer.

The Bedford PeeWee North Allstars, a group of players ages 9 and 10, have won four tournaments this summer. The Bedford PeeWee team has a 17-1 record and has outscored its opponents 205-52.