12A Power Surge Berndes (CA) Off to Hot Start in Oklahoma City

By Ryan Chapman

Despite the long trip to Oklahoma City from San Diego, Power Surge Berndes (CA) didn’t wait to make their mark, getting off to an electric start in 12U Pool A play.
 
After defeating the Dallas Tigers 12U Mosqueda in their first game of the day 21-1, they followed their performance up with a 10-0 victory over Glory Atkins Gold (TX).
 
“We’ve been working towards this tournament for a long time,” coach Scott Berndes said.
 
Berndes commended the experience of his team, allowing them to get off to a hot start.
 
“They’re a veteran team. We’ve been in nationals in California every year since they were 10 and nine years old. The big stage is not big for them,” he said.
 
Power Surge looked comfortable all morning, especially pitcher McKenna Gieger.
 
Getting the nod in game two, Gieger gave her team three innings of excellent work. She retired all nine batters she faced in order, surrendering no hits and just one walk while striking out five batters.   
 
Berndes was pleased with his pitching staff’s efforts all morning.
 
“They’re pretty darn good. They work hard, but we have some great pitchers,” he said.
 
While Gieger controlled the game in the circle, Sofia Mujica busted the game open for her team in the top of the second inning.
 
Mujica stepped up to the plate with two runners on base and drove both of them in with her 2-RBI double to extend Power Surge’s lead to 6-0 early in the game.
 
Mujica was really pleased with how her team started the tournament.
 
“It was pretty good,” she said. “It was nice to see how together we are and how we trust each other. Even if we do make a bad mistake, we know our team has our back.”
 
Gieger sealed the win, driving in the final two runs of the game on a hard hit single in the top of the third inning.
 
Andrea Delatrinidad believes her team can make a mark this weekend if they continue to play like they did this morning.

“We were just relaxed. We hit the ball hard and we worked as a team. If we keep working together, I think we’ll go really far,” she said.
 
For now, they intend to celebrate their day one success with an evening at the Women’s College World Series.
 
“We’ve been really looking forward to coming here and meeting new girls, eating different foods, and doing something different than we do on the beach in San Diego,” Berndes said. “We’re going tonight and we’re really looking forward to it.”
 
Power Surge Berndes will be back in action twice on Sunday to wrap up play in Pool A. Refocused and ready to finish strong in pool play, Mujica is confident in her teammates.
 
“Now we know what we’re capable of and we have a good future ahead of us,” said Mujica.