Local players help lead Storm to storybook runner-up finish at Disney

Aug. 1, 2010, 11:30 p.m.

  Fueled by performances from several Plymouth and Canton players, the 14U Livonia Storm surged to an amazing runner-up finish at last week's 14U USSSA Fastpitch World Series at ESPN's Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla.

  The Storm conquered all comers in the field made up of 45 of the best teams in the country - except the Carolina Fusion, who claimed the title with a 2-1 victory in the championship contest.

  The final game went to an international overtime, with both teams placing a runner at second base to start the half innings.

  Overall, the Storm went 9-2, losing both games to the Fusion.

  "The team's formula for success included having 11 players who really liked each other, are talented, work very hard and put the team before themselves," said Storm head coach Mike Gerou, a resident of Plymouth. "Having three legitimate number-one pitchers and a starting pitching rotation that we didn't deviate from all season was also a major factor.

  "All of our pitchers started and stepped up in impressive fashion to relieve when needed all season."

  Gerou praised the effort of catcher Casey Bias, who started 10 of the Storm's 11 games despite blistering temperatures.

  "Casey was outstanding behind the plate," said Gerou. "She picked off several runners. Virtually no one was able to run on us as she gunned out several base runners and shut down our opponents' running game.

  "Against the Alabama Elite Casey gunned out their lead-off hitter - who was one of the fastest runners in the whole tournament - on an attempted steal of second base. Casey was the glue that held us together defensively, and she also hit very well."

  Playing in stifling hot weather that registered over 100 degrees on the heat index, the Storm took a 6-1 record into Saturday's elimination round. It defeated the Alabama Elite, 4-3, in the first game - as Elaine Gerou scattered six hits and Hanna Warren notched the save. Catherine Porter and Shannon Watson banged out two hits each to pace the winners' offensive attack.

  In Saturday's second game, the Storm bounced the Orlando Aftershock, 6-1, as Jacquelyn Murphy yielded just two hits in a complete-game effort.

  The Storm edged Holland, Michigan's Lakeshore Storm, 4-3, in the third game of the day. Warren scattered six hits and Gerou recorded a pressure-packed save, striking out one batter and getting a second to pop out with two runners on in the seventh.

  The Storm led the championship game against the Fusion, 1-0, entering the seventh frame, but the Carolina-based team knotted the contest up thanks to a run-producing bloop single to right. The Storm threatened to win it in the bottom of the seventh when Jessica Brandon ripped a double with a runner on first. However, a perfect relay nailed the runner at the plate, sending the game to extra frames.

  After the Fusion scored in the top of the eighth, the Storm bunted its runner to third, but the tying run was stranded at third. Celeste Fidge and Brandon each had two hits in the final game while pitch all eight innings, keeping the Fusion without an extra-base hit.

  Gerou, a sophomore-to-be at Plymouth, was named the offensive MVP of the tournament.

  The Storm finished the week 9-2, with wins against team storm Ohio, Texas, Illinois, Florida (two), Rhode Island (two), Michigan and Alabama.

  The team finished the season 53-11-1 and ranked No. 2 in the USSA's national power rankings.