Despite forcing an "if-game" with a 16-13 win earlier in the day, the All Armed Forces were unable to overcome the powerful Derby Girls squad, who captured the Women's Open National title with a 16-6 (six inning) win Sunday afternoon.
Derby Girls scored five runs in the fifth on an RBI double by Tara Salcedo, a two-run double by Megan Miller, an RBI triple by Dara Toman, and an RBI single by Amy Doerflinger. The teams traded runs for most of the contest, leading to seven lead changes in the game.
Derby Girls pulled out the win thanks in part to a strong fourth inning as Doerflinger connected for a three-run triple, scoring Christan Dowling, Marie and Toman. Salcedo had a busy day at the plate, collecting three extra-base hits.
Melessa Graves was solid at the plate for All Armed Forces. Graves went 3-4, drove in one and scored one run. She singled in the first, fourth, and sixth innings.
Tournament MVP Salcedo finished the weekend with a .562 (9-for-16) batting average, seven RBI and five runs scored.
Below is a complete list of individual awards for the Women's Open Division:
First Team All-Americans
Christian Camp - All Armed Forces
Leina Braxton - All Armed Forces
Terri Hodges - All Armed Forces
Kasey Castor - All Armed Forces
Melessa Graves - All Armed Forces
Christan Dowling - Derby Girls
Kat Sherer - Derby Girls
Amy Doerflinger - Derby Girls
Tammy Higginbotham - Derby Girls
Sahara Henson - Lady MVP
Kim Pierce - Derby Girls
Dara Toman - Derby Girls
Schameka White - All Armed Forces
Stephanie Watt - Derby Girls
Megan Miller - Derby Girls
Tournament MVP - Tara Salcedo