The Spring 2009 Virginia Shredders are a team ready to battle.

Coming off a successful Fall transition season where they won 5 of the 7, 13U tournaments they entered, including winning both versions of Virginia State Championship - USSSA Fall States (60/90) and Western Fall States (54/80). The Shredders also entered three 14U tournaments; while competitive, it also enabled the Shredders to find the determination and focus needed when matched against a bigger, stronger opponent.

This Spring the Shredders look forward to playing a competitive schedule with the goal of reaching Disney for the Elite 32. The Shredders will play three 13U tournaments in March followed by three 14U tournaments. By the middle of April, the Shredders will hit the road for Super NITs in North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, Michigan and Ohio. The Shredders have also have accepted an invitation to play in the highly competitive 2009 Battle in the South (BITS).

As a national team, the Shredders have drawn interest from the top talent across the state. Three new Shredders are ready to don the Red and White. Sometimes great things come in packages and in the case of these twins that is true. Jake and Jackson Walker come over after helping the Tidewater Drillers win multiple USSSA and AAU state championships. As if the addition of the twins were not enough. The Shredders also are welcoming the addition of Jack Gerstenmaier, who led the 12U Red Devils (AA-E) and Tuckahoe Little League to state championships in their respective leagues. Adding those three to a dynamic line-up that already boasts some of the best talent in state can only provide more fireworks.

The returning Shredders players from the Fall championship teams are: Joseph Bagnerise, Chris Barlow, Alec Bettinger, Derek Casey, William Frazier, Marc Jimenez, Garrett McGehee, Craig McLane and Nick Tangora. Led by Manager Connor McGehee and Coaches Dale Casey, Marc Jimenez, Ryan Hutzler and Terry Walker, the Shredders have put together an impressive team. There's an old team adage that goes "… you are only as strong as your weakest link." Well this team does not have a weak link, so the expectation is this team will not break. Built with depth in pitching, skill and flexibility on defense, and great team speed, the Shredders are primed for success this spring. This 13U Shredders team looks be one of the best teams to ever come out of Virginia at any age group. They look forward to the challenge of playing the nation's best teams and plan to be the ones standing when it is all over.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/hide comments

Show/hide comment form