The East County Hot Shots 10U, a first-year softball team comprised of players from Antioch, Oakley and Brentwood under the direction of manager Dave Carter, improved each tournament compiling only one win in their first weekend tournament of fall. They progressed to a 5-1 record and runner-up finish in Scarecrow Thriller in Pleasanton in their fourth tournament.

The Hot Shots peaked with a perfect 5-0 record at the Bats and Ghouls Halloween Tournament at Rainbow Fields in Modesto, winning the championship in a heart stopping scare fest fashion by going into two extra innings of international tie breaker rules (start inning with runner on second base) before securing the championship trophy. “These young ladies worked extremely hard and learned so much this fall, it was amazing,” said Carter.

The Hot Shots started the weekend on Saturday by dressing as insane convicts from the local ward, winning the award for scariest custom. The convicts took no prisoners going 3-0 winning game one behind Alexis Barksdale pitching 2 1/3 innings with Kylie Cast coming in for the save in the 11-8 win over the Renegades. Allyson McBroom, Riley Ehlen and Natalie Nicolosi provided the offense.

Kalissa Heihn hurled 2 1/3 strong innings for 10-4 win over the Cyclones in game two. Tallying 6 strikeouts while allowing 3 hits before Cast came in for the save to secure the win. Allyson Ferreira two singles, two runs, and Cast two singles, 4 RBIs, two runs, with McBroom chipping in with two singles.

Kylie Cast stifled the Atwater Blaze allowing one hit with seven strikeouts pitching the Hot Shots to No. 1 seed with 4-1 win in game three to secure top seed for Sunday’s single elimination bracket. Hot Shots scored all four runs in the first inning. Cast had two doubles and an RBI, Nicolosi had two singles and an RBI and Heihn had a single for two RBIs.

The Hot Shots rode the strong arm of pitching ace Kylie Cast on Sunday, who threw a no-hitter complete game gem with 10 strikeouts for the 2-0 win over the Blaze to advance the team to championship. East County scored both runs on Blaze miscues.

Cast again took the mound against Cyclones firing a one-hit 12-strikeout performance in the Halloween Championship game, which was a heart stopping pitchers duel. The Hot Shots got out of bases loaded no out jams after intentionally loading bases after lead off runner got to third bases in the third and sixth innings nailing two runners at the plate to send the 0-0 game into extra innings of international tie breaker (start with runner on second base to start inning) play.

Shortstop Allyson McBroom made three outstanding relays in third, sixth and seventh innings to catcher Natalie Nicolosi that blocked the plate to take away the victory from the home Cyclone team. Solid defense on the pulled in infield cut down three force outs at the plate to push the game into the seventh inning.

The Hot Shots finally got on the scoreboard when Ferreira got on with two out walk, advanced to third on single by Kelsey Martinez, then scored on pass ball while Cyclones were attempting to intentional walk Cast, Cyclone pitcher threw the pitch-out pitch to close to the plate and Cast swung distracting the catcher who missed the ball letting Ferreira score on the pass ball.

The Cyclones international runner then scored on pass ball advancing game to the eighth inning. Ehlen international runner started on second, Nicolosi walked, McBroom laid down a fielder choice bunt loading the bases when Michaela Farr delivery the decisive blow a two run single up the middle to put the Hot Shots up 3-1. Cast retired the side in order to secure the Hot Shots first championship.

“What a way to end the fall season,” said Carter. “We will miss Kylie Cast but the rest of the team is still eligible to return for the spring. We have a very good nucleus hopefully we can pick up a few solid players to round out the team at the Hot Shot spring tryouts,” Tryouts will be December 4 and 11 at Magnolia Park in Oakley. Check the East County Hot Shot website for details: www.eastcountyhotshots.com.