The Wildfire Paulson went 10-0 at the Alliance Fastpitch Open Nationals to claim the championship against the Ohio Hawks National. The Wildfire ended the summer with a record of 34-9-1, top 3 finish at Scenic City, PGF Florida Champions and now the AFON Champions.  

The Windermere Wildfire 16U - Paulson is halfway through the 2023 Summer season. It has been a very successful season on and off the field. The big news so far, is the committment of Ava (Flagler College) and Anne (USF) to play at the collegiate level. Congratulations to Ava and Anne!

  Windermere Wildfire 16U - Paulson Defeats Atlanta Vipers - Hargrave For The Championship

The Windermere Wildfire 16U is ready to begin with 2022 season with a strong lineup! 

The Wildfire put on an unbelievable show in the 18-Under bracket on the final day of the tournament. Clawing their way out of the loser’s bracket, Windermere Wildfire arrived in the Championship game on a three-game winning streak and went on to win the 3 p.m. Championship contest as well to force an “if-necessary” game. Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson showcased their grit and resilience throughout the entire day, playing a total of five games and capturing the 18U 2021 USA Softball GOLD National Championship title.

The 18U Championship matchup was between Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson and Florida Storm-National Shepherd. The offense was relatively quiet on both sides of the field as Windermere Wildfire took the game 1-0 in a close defensive battle. Cat Buckner (Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson) efficiently shut out Florida Storm-National Shepherd, only letting up five hits in seven innings of work. Dylan Anthony (Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson) sparked a rally for Windermere Wildfire in the second inning by smacking a hard-shot triple to center field. Lexi Scalzo (Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson) followed with a clutch sac fly to left field to bring Anthony in and score the only run of the game allowing Windermere Wildfire to pull ahead and force the “if-necessary” game.

The bats came alive in the final contest with the box score totaling 23 runs on 27 hits. The score pinballed throughout the game as both teams played their hearts out and kept their foot on the gas. The deciding runs came in the sixth inning after a double from Scalzo (Windermere Wildfire 18U – Paulson) gave her team the lead they needed to come out on top.  

Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson had an impressive 149 hits in the week-long GOLD National Championship with Charli Warren (Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson) leading the squad with 26 hits. 

Congratulations to our 2021 Seniors signing their NLI's!

• Alyssa Grimes - Nova Southeastern University
• Catherine Buckner - Florida Southern College
• Charli Warren - Fairfield University
• Dylan Anthony - Stetson University
• Elisa Grande - Palm Beach Atlantic
• Jadeyn Ruszkowski - Clemson University
• Leah Marshall - Southeastern Louisiana University
• Lexi Scalzo - Lee University
• Lilly Kiester - University of Tampa
• Mariah Rodriguez - Florida Southern College
• Olivia Lipari - University of Tennessee @ Chattanooga
• Riley Sanders - Southeastern University

The Wildfire went undefeated in the USA Softball Gold qualifier. The last game against Tampa Mustangs Eve was a thriller. 

The game was tied at three with Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson batting in the top of the sixth when Elisa Grande singled on a 1-2 count, scoring one run. Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson built a four-run lead in the sixth inning and then held off Tampa Mustangs Eve 16U's charge.  Tampa Mustangs Eve 16U scored three runs in the failed comeback on a single by Kirsten Caravaca and a double by Brianna Godfrey. 

Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson got on the board in the first inning.  Jadeyn Ruszkowski hit a solo homer.

Cat Buckner led things off in the pitcher's circle for Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson. The righty surrendered one run on one hit, walking one. Godfrey led things off in the circle for Tampa Mustangs Eve 16U. The righthander lasted five and two-thirds innings, allowing nine hits and five runs while striking out three.  Kylah Berry threw one-third of an inning in relief out of the bullpen.  

Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson launched three home runs on the day. Olivia Lipari went deep in the sixth inning. Ailey Schyck put one out in the sixth inning. Ruszkowski had a four bagger in the first inning.  

Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson racked up 11 hits in the game.  Schyck, Lipari, and Emily Allen all collected multiple hits for Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson.  Allen, Lipari, and Schyck each managed two hits to lead Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson.

Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson defeated Florida Impact 18U Affrunti/Hoopes 6-5 on Sunday thanks to a walk-off single.  Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson was down 5-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning when Ailey Schyck singled on a 3-0 count, scoring Jadeyn Ruszkowski and Emily Allen.

Leah Marshall toed the rubber for Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson. The righthander surrendered one run on two hits over two and two-thirds innings.

Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson collected ten hits on the day. Ruszkowki, Lipari, Allen and Kiester had one hit each. Schyck, Scalzo, and Warren all collected multiple hits for Windermere Wildfire 18U - Paulson.

The Wildfire punch their ticket to the USA Softball JO Cup and are looking to improve their 2nd place finish in 2020.

The Wildfire 18U - Paulson finished the week 10-3 with a 2nd place finish at the JO Cup 2020. 

Fighting their way through the 18-Under A loser’s bracket with three back-to-back wins was the Wildfire 18U – Paulson, scoring an explosive total of 21 runs in their three elimination games. The Wildfire recorded their first win of the day with a 5-0 shutout over PA Chaos before eliminating the Indiana Fusion Elite - Pinkston with a seventh-inning, two-run walk-off homerun from Jadeyn Ruszkowski. The Wildfire offense continued to shine in their third game of the day, defeating GA Power Gold - Roddy/Worley 12-4 to earn a spot in the semifinal game against the undefeated Carolina Cardinals - Chandler. Wildfire kept the winning streak alive against the Cardinals, claiming a 3-2 thriller to force the “if-necessary” game. Their fifth-straight game in a row was the sweetest of all, exploding with a 11-2 (five innings), run-rule victory to earn their spot in the 18-Under Championship finale. The Wildfire offense stole the show in their final contest of the day, plating two or more runs in three of the five innings.

On Friday, the Wildfire came up short losing 3-1 against the LLG DPS. The 2nd place finish came with a berth for next year and many good memories that the players, coaches and families won't soon forget. 

August 2014 brings to a close the season for Coach Paulson and team. With over 20 collegiate scholarships earned; 14U, 16U, and 18U Nationals appearances; and many miles logged, it has been a great journey!
Thanks to all the players, families, coaches, and most of all - Coach George!

                                               
                                                     Summer 2014 - Windermere Wildfire Paulson ASA 18U Nationals Team      
                Alexia (Liberty); Alex (UNCC); Sydney (SIU); Savannah (SIU); Michaela (FGCU); Sydney (Southern Miss); Amber (Northern IL)
            Lindsey (Furman); Tana (Morehead St); Megan (FSU); Madison (BC); Jordan; Jazzmin (ASU); Haley (Barry); Caley (Upstate)

                                                                         Fall of 2013 - Windermere Wildfire Paulson
              Chase (Ol'Miss); Savannah (SIU); Sydney (SIU); Megan (FSU); Remi (Liberty); Courtney (C Of C FL); Tana (Morehead St)
             Alex (UNCC); Michaela (FGCU); Nikki(Lynn); Hailey(Army); Kali(UNCW); Alexia (Liberty); Not Pictured - Lindsey (Furman)

Wildlfire Paulson Schedule

2014 Summer
5/24: ASA Gold Region 5 Qualifier, Clearwater, FL
6/6: Diamond 9, Disney World, FL
6/14: ASA Gold Qualifier, Altamonte Springs, FL
6/20: ASA Gold Region 5 Qualifier, Auburn, AL
6/27: Goldstar Invitational, Tallahassee, FL
7/18: Atlanta Legacy Invitational, Atlanta, GA
7/21: ASA Nationals, Montgomery, AL

Wildfire 18U - Paulson closes out 2013 with 100% of the players committed. Congratulations to the players and families!

2014 - Alexia Taylor - Liberty University Flames
2014 - Remi Losey - Liberty University Flames
2014 - Megan McReynolds - Florida State University
2014 - Lindsey Bert - Furman University
2014 - Savannah Fisher - Southern Illinois University
2014 - Sydney Jones - Southern Illinois University
2014 - Michaela Hynes - Florida Gulf Coast University
2014 - Tana McDaniels - Morehead State University
2014 - Courtney Riddle - College of Central Florida
2014 - Hailey Megge - U.S. Army
2014 - Nikki Blanton - Lynn University
2015 - Chase Cassady - Ole Miss
2015 - Alex Paulson - UNC Charlotte
2015 - Kali Jones - UNC Wilmington

Alumni

2013 - Arielle Pollock - Southern Miss Golden Eagles
2013 - Tori Van Camp - Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
2013 - Sarah Lang - Maryland Terps
2013 - Madison Paulson - Boston College Eagles
2013 - Jazzmin Romero - Alabama State Hornets

                                                Summer of 2013 Wildfire 18U - Paulson
Back: Jazzy (ASU), Madison (BC), Remi (Liberty), Tori (FGCU), Megan (FSU), Lindsey (Furman), Savannah (SIU)
Front: Sydney (SIU), Arielle (Southern Miss), Alex, Sarah (Maryland), Alexia (Liberty), Chase (Ol' Miss)

The Wildfire 16U - Paulson completed their 2012 Summer Season attending the ASA Nationals in Montgomery, AL.

The Wildfire 95 returns from ASA Nationals with a 33rd place finish. The team represented Florida very well both on and off the field. The Wildfire started the tournament with success by winning a scrimmage game and seeding #2 in pool play. The success continued with winning our first 2 bracket games against the St. Louis Chaos and Northern Ice. Our tournament ended by losing to the So-Cal Bomb Squad and Cincy Doom.

The Coaches were proud of how the girls played and represented themselves amongst the top players in the country. Coach George said "We have seen what it takes to play at this level. It's going to take work and commitment to become a top 10 team. We have the athletes to do it". The trip ended with special recognition by the town of Aledo by giving the Wildfire 95 the Key to City.

Another incredible weekend for Wildfire 95! The team went undefeated in a field of 14 strong teams to secure a berth to ASA Nationals. Highlights include some incredible defense with only 5 errors over 5 games, bats were hot in must-have situations, including OTF homeruns for Madison, Megan and Paige and critical 2-out hits by Arielle and Marisa that helped keep us in the winners bracket, and absolute lights-out pitching by Paige, who allowed only 1 earned run all weekend. Congratulations ladies, you continue to amaze us!

Wildfire 95 had a phenomenal weekend at the King of the Mountain tournament despite having only 9 healthy players all weekend. In 8 games, the offense racked up 49 hits for 41 runs with a team batting average of .327. Defense was strong as well, allowing only 26 hits for 14 runs. The highlight of the weekend for the girls? Hail during the championship game! Congratulations ladies - all your hard work is paying off.