Swoop 18U wins 2020 USSSA National Championship

Diamond State Swoop 18U pitcher Abigail O’Shields, left, is congratulated by Olivia Owens and Jordyn DiFava after the final out of the 2020 USSSA National Championship. DAN COOK PHOTOS

Dan Cook

August 3, 2020

The Diamond State Swoop 18U team won the 2020 USSSA National Championship with a final game 5-0 victory over the Churchville Lightning July 31 at the Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex in Salisbury, Md.

Swoop outhit the Lightning 11-5 in the championship game.

Sierra Livingston went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Autumn Boothe went 2-for-2 with an RBI. Jordyn DiFava went 1-for-1, slamming a double with a RBI. Carlin Quinn delivered a hit and an RBI. Ryleigh Elliott delivered with a three-hit performance, while Kylie Kruger powered two singles and Olivia Owens slammed a double.

The Swoop batters started out on fire, as they put up single runs in the first and third innings and put the game out of reach by scoring three in the fifth.

Starting pitcher Alexis Dowdy got the win in the circle, striking out three Lightning batters, while Abigail O’Shields picked up the save.

Swoop went 3-1 in pool play then cleaned the four team competition in bracket play.

“You can sum up this Swoop team in this tournament with one word. Perfect,“ said manager Jay Davis. “Our pitching, and the defense behind them, was spot on. They love to play together and they won’t let each other down. The players and their parents are phenomenal.”

Livingston slammed nine hits in the tournament, driving in six runs. She was named Tournament Offensive MVP.

Swoop catcher Savannah O’Shields received the Tournament MVP Award.

“Winning the USSSA National Championship was like a dream come true,” said O’Shields. “We’ve been working toward this ever since day one. When I was awarded MVP of the tournament, I was so shocked. I just wish there were 20 MVP awards because every one of the girls on this team deserved one. It was without a doubt a team effort.”

“It was a tough tournament, but we wanted it the most,” said Elliott. “Handling the pressure and competition is hard, but all in all the team with the most heart wins, and that’s what we have. I started wearing this Swoop uniform when I was 8 years old and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. This team is a family and it means the world to me being able to grow up with them.”

“Our whole team, their parents, coaches Sam O’Shields and Hannah Davis, team mom Jane Moore and helper Paul Kruger really deserved this,” said Davis. “I’m happy for all of them.”

The Diamond State Swoop 18U in back are (l-r) team mom Jane Moore, Jordan Moore, Carlin Quinn, Olivia Owens, Abby O’Shields, Coach Sam Oshields, Jenna Tilghman, Jada Evans, Kandice Schlabach, Alexis Dowdy, coach Hannah Davis and manager Jay Davis. In front are Autumn Boothe, Sierra Livingston, Ryleigh Elliott, Jordyn Difava, Kylie Kruger, Maria Kollar and Savannah O’Shields.

Sierra Livingston, center, receives the offensive MVP Award from coach Sam O’Shields, left, and manager Jay Davis.

Swoop 18U catcher Savannah O’Shields, center, receives the Tournament MVP from coach Sam O’Shields, left, and manager Jay Davis.

Tournament MVP Savannah O’Shields gets a kiss from her coach/dad Sam O’Shields.

Cape grad Carlin Quinn makes a diving catch in the win over the Churchville Lightning.

Swoop catcher Savannah O’Shields throws out a Churchville Lightning batter.

Swoop shortstop Olivia Owens fights off a bad bounce and throws out a Churchville Lightning batter.

Swoop outfielder and Cape grad Ryleigh Elliott snags a Churchville Lightning fly ball for an out.

Swoop batter Kylie Kruger slams a hit in the final game.

Swoop starting pitcher Alexis Dowdy kept the Churchville batters off balance for four and one third innings striking out three Lightning batters.

Swoop pitcher Abigail O’Shields came in to shut down Churchville for 2.2 innings.

Swoop second base Jordyn DiFava keeps the ball in front and gets an out.

Manager Jay Davis, left, gets a congratulatory hug from coach Sam Shields.

Swoop pitcher Abigail O’Shields, left, gets a hug from shortstop Olivia Owens.

Offensive MVP Sierra Livingston went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the championship game.

Swoop designated hitter Autumn Boothe drives in a run in the championship game.

Swoop outfielder Ryleigh Elliott beats out a bunt single.

Jenna Tilghman gets a hit in the 9-1 pool play win over the Elkridge Hurricanes.

Sierra Livingston slams a hit in the 4-1 win over LV Patriot Flames Premier in the quarterfinal game.

Swoop designated hitter Autumn Boothe points to the dugout after delivering a double in the 4-1 win over LV Patriot Flames Premier in the quarterfinal game.

Swoop Carlin Quinn delivers with a single in the 4-1 win over LV Patriot Flames Premier in the quarterfinal game.

Swoop outfielder Ryleigh Elliott slams a hit in the win over the Flames.

Carlin Quinn went yard in the semi final win over the Churchville Lightning.

Diamond State Swoop left fielder Maria Kollar makes a Sportscenter effort for a K&K Raptor home run in the Swoop 4-3 victory at the USSSA Eastern National Championships.