By Chris McMullen
Herald Writer
BLAINE – The 13U Everett Razorbacks won the USSSA Washington State Championship, June 17 at Spooner Creek Baseball Complex in Blaine.
Everett was led by tournament Most Valuable Player Michael Chiarelli, who the umpires dubbed the “Razorback Rifle” for his propensity to throw out potential base stealers. Chiarelli, who was also named most outstanding catcher of the tourney, threw out a tournament record seven base runners, was 8-for-18 from the plate, knocked in seven runs and stole five bases.
In the title game, the Razorbacks and North Issaquah were tied 5-5 in the 10th inning, and due to darkness the game had to be ended deadlocked. Everett won the title on a tiebreaker system.
Mike Stone, David Amberson, Jordan Swehla, Mike Burlison and Chiarelli pitched for the Razorbacks. Stone was also selected as the most outstanding infielder and also pitched a complete game in one of Everett’s wins.
With the victory, the team earned a trip to the 13U World Series in Tulsa, Okla., held in July. The Razorbacks have already qualified for a tournament in Casper, Wyo., scheduled for later this summer.
The Razorbacks are coached by Michael Chiarelli, Lance Swehla and George Safadago. Other members of the team include: Brian Pearl, Justen Safadago, Mike Matson, Harold Willis, Nick Elmer, Kyle Daniels and Jeff Mugge. All team members are from Everett except for Burlison, who is from Snohomish, and Safadago who is from Mukilteo.
South Everett Lions cap perfect season: The Everett Lions, who play in the senior majors division of South Everett Little League, ended their season with an unblemished record of 20-0. The team of 13-15-year-olds won the regular season league title and also took the league tournament championship June 17, when they defeated the FRA Diamondbacks 8-2.
In the title game, 15-year-old Jeremy Stevens hit a line drive home run to straightaway center field, and an umpire and tournament director Bill Seih estimated the ball traveled more than 380 feet in the air.
Pitcher Shaun Van Horn finished with a perfect 10-0 record. Other members of the Lions include: Mykel Evans, Tanner Graden, Ryan Osher, Danny Cort, Jake Rose, Max Ebert, Shawn Jagnow, Jacob Odeans, Michael Fannin, Alex Hanby and Robert Messer. The team is managed by Don Mang, and includes coaches Owen Hanby and Jason Veals.
Edmonds Starz roundup: The U-12 Edmonds Starz won their second consecutive fastpitch softball tournament on Sunday, defeating the Federal Way Scarlets 4-2 in the championship game of the Federal Way Invitational.
Pitcher Jessi Williams earned a complete-game victory for the Starz, while Janet Schumann hit a two-run triple.
The Edmonds Starz Blue team finished second in the U-14 division of the Invitational. Shortstop Jamie Foote hit four home runs in six games, including three in an 11-5 semifinal victory over the Seattle Spice.
Lake Breeze roundup: The 12U-A Lake Breeze battled back to earn third place at the Washington NSA State tournament held June 16-17 at the Everett Naval Base. After losing its first game in the tourney to the eventual champions, Lake Breeze had to win three consecutive games to grab third place and become the only Snohomish County team that received a trophy. Kate Defenbach of Mukilteo and Taylor Cochran of Lake Stevens led the team for the weekend.
Two weeks ago, Lake Breeze took the Centralia Parks and Recreation 12U Invite championship with superb pitching from Defenbach, who notched the shutout in the 7-0 title game victory over the Toledo Rippers. The Breeze have a 26-12 record this season.
This weekend the 16U Breeze are headed to Arvada, Colo., to play in the Fireworks Tournament, one of the major tournaments in the country where college coaches and recruiters eye high-school age fastpitch talent.
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