Jackie Gallik stood just to the side of the home dugout. A radiant smile played across her face as she clutched a pair of “Pixy Stix” tightly in her right hand.

The smile was comprised of equal parts relief and joy...the candy, a small reward for turning in the best pitching performance of her young career.

“I was definitely a little ner-vous at first,” Jackie told TWI Sports just moments after recording the final out of the game. “I just wanted to go out there and have fun...and strike out as many batters as I could!”

Suffice it to say, Gallik accomplished both of those missions.

Jackie went to the mound as BGM Fastener’s starting pitcher in Wednesday night’s Missy Softball Junior Division cham-ionship game against HNB.  She got herself into a wee bit of trouble in the first frame, but  surrendered only one run to an upset-minded A’s squad.

That razor-thin 1-0 advantage held up until the bottom of the third. Then, the combination of Gallik’s overpowering right arm and an explosive BGM offensive attack finally turned the tide.

The Chicks tallied two runs in the third, then added two more in the fourth to take control of the ballgame. Coach Judy Goyette’s girls staved off a pair of late HNB threats and held on for a thrilling 4-2 decision.

“I’m so proud of these girls,” said Coach Goyette. “They never get down on themselves and they never quit. This was an amazing season. The older kids and the younger kids got along so well...we’re more like a family than a softball team.”

Setting the Stage
BGM finished off this latest championship season with 14-1 overall record.

The Chicks lost only once during the ‘09 campaign, an upset suffered at the hands of Dime Bank. However, BGM bounced right back to finish first in the regular season standings and earn the #1 play-off seed.

On Monday night, the Chicks built an early lead en route to a 5-0 victory over the Marlins.

Gallik was spectacular in this one as well. Jackie went the distance for a complete game shutout. She fanned 10 and allowed just two basehits.

That semifinal triumph catapulted BGM into Wednesday’s title tilt versus the HNB.

The A’s were the “feel-good” story of the Junior Division season. Under the direction of Dan Pahls, HNB rebounded from a 1-13 year to earn a spot in the championship game.

“I’m absolutely thrilled that we got so far,” Coach Pahls said. “This was a phenomenal year and I just love these girls.”

A very young A’s team opened the season with back-to-back losses and seemed to be headed in the wrong direction. However, HNB righted the ship and embarked on a journey that ended in Wednesday’s grand finale.

On the Field
HNB struck first in this Junior Division title tilt.

Rylee Pahls led off the game with a single, then moved into scoring position on an error.

Haylee Goodenough drove in the game’s first run by blasting a double to center. Pahls scampered home from second and suddenly the A’s led, 1-0.

It was at this point in the contest that Gallik quieted her butterflies and began to take control. Jackie dug down deep and fanned the final two batters of the inning, keeping the damage to a minimum.

“After the first couple of batters, I started to relax a little bit,” Gallik said. “I try to block everyone out and just pitch, but sometimes that doesn’t work. I guess I get a little bit too pumped up sometimes.”

Coach Goyette was quick to agree with her ace.

“Jackie definitely feeds off the emotion of her teammates and the fans,” she said with a laugh. “Once she gets into that zone, there’s no stopping her. Jackie never lets anything bother her.”

Gallik was masterful the rest of the way. Jackie piled up an eye-popping 15 strikeouts, scattering seven hits over six dominating frames.

Shyanna Stoddard received the starting nod for HNB and hung up a pair of zeroes in the opening two frames. The young righthander ran into trouble in the third, though, and was lifted in favor of Carney.

The Chicks scratched out two runs in the inning, taking a lead they’d never relinquish.

Bree Potter ignited the rally with a one-out walk. She was joined on the bases by Camden Bannon who also walked. Then, with two outs and Carney on in relief, Gallik dug in at the dish.

Jackie promptly delivered an RBI single, plating both runners and giving BGM the lead.

The Chicks put the game out of reach with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Shiann Potter and Brianna Muir each singled and scored, pushing the lead to 4-1.

Game Highlights
Defensively, Amber Watkins provided Gold Glove support to her all-star pitcher.

BGM’s shortstop robbed Goodenough of a basehit by snaring a screaming line drive.

Sarina VanDeLinde added a beautiful play for the A’s.

The tough-as-nails leftfielder stood tall in the face of a line drive off Watkins’ bat. VanDe-Linde made a clean catch to end the fifth inning.

Score by Innings...
Athletics (11-4)  1  0  0  0  0  0 - 1
Chicks    (14-1)  0  0  2  2  0  x - 4