OKLAHOMA CITY – After three days of intense competition, Region 5 Stars claimed the 2022 USA Softball All-American Games Championship title as they dominated through single-elimination bracket play with an undefeated 5-0 record and claimed a 4-1 victory over Region 3 Freedom in the final game of the weekend to earn the coveted Championship trophy.

“It’s an honor to win this,” Tori Turner, a pitcher for Region 5 Stars, stated. “I was here last year, and we didn’t make it this far. It feels really special to be playing with people that I know and love - it just feels really good to come out on top.”

Region 5 Stars made their way to the Championship Game by scoring a total of 19 runs on 27 hits in five games throughout single-elimination bracket play. The Star’s bats were on fire in the opening games of the day as they routed their opponents, 6-1 and 4-0. As the day progressed, competition continued to grow stronger but that didn’t intimidate the Stars. In the next contest, the squad narrowly defeated their competitor, 3-2, before meeting Region 2 Stripes in the semi-final matchup where they came out on top, 2-0, in order to punch their ticket to the Championship Game.

Meeting the Stars in the final game of the night was Region 3 Freedom who held an undefeated 5-0 record on the weekend heading into the contest. In their first competition on Sunday, Region 3 Freedom shut out Region 10 Freedom, 3-0, to advance them into the next round of bracket play. In the following two games, Region 3 Freedom outscored their opponents, 11-2 collectively, to send themselves to the winner-take all game.

The final game of the tournament was an exciting matchup between Region 5 Stars and Region 3 Freedom as they both came in with heavy momentum from the day. The Stars started the game strong as they took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first before tacking on a pair of insurance runs in the fourth inning. Region 3 Freedom was able to tally on a run late in the competition but ultimately fell short to the Stars, 4-1.

Region 5 Stars, Macie Bryant, carried her team to victory by throwing a complete game, fanning nine batters, only allowing two hits and limiting Region 3 Freedom to one run. The other side of the ball was also key as three Star’s batters, Mackenzie Ross, Mia Martinez and Zoey Hood, each recorded one hit a piece – Ross’s being the lone triple of the game.

“I’m just proud and honored,” said Region 5 Stars Head Coach, Guy Knight. “The girls played outstanding and they fought hard all day long. We had five games in the heat, the sun, and they never gave up, they never quit. They fought the entire day, and we came out Champions. I just want to thank USA Softball for all they do for these young ladies and we’ll keep striving to get better.”