Saturday morning started off bright and early as the Crushers warmed up to face Code Red for an 8 a.m. game.

Jenna Martin took to the mound with Dani Philips behind the plate, joining the duo from Village Christian for the first time since the end of the school season. The game ended after four innings as Code Red flattened the Crushers 9-1.

The only Crushers hit came from Emily Seidel, who hit a triple in the second inning, scoring on an error.

In game two the Crushers, shaking off the early morning fatigue, faced the So Cal Elite. The battery of Seidel and Cassie Colón (Burroughs - Burbank) held Elite to four hits as the game ended in a 3-3 tie after five innings.

Game three of the day pitted the Crushers against the California Diamonds Gold.

In the world of softball, the Gold generally indicates a high-caliber team that has played in state or national tournaments. As can happen, however, players leave the high school level and move up to NCAA or opt out of softball.

The Crushers head coach, Mike Delaney, called on Martin and Philips to hold the Diamonds in check.

The game ended after four innings with the Diamonds (only three hits in the game) being crushed 8-0. The Crushers had 11 hits, including two triples by Megan Merz.

After finishing the first round with a record of 1-1-1, the Crushers returned on Sunday to face So Cal Elite (a different team from Saturday), out of Yorba Linda.

In four innings, Martin and Philips held Elite to two hits as the Crushers won 8-0; Seidel hit a home run.

Game two was more than the Crushers could handle. Some fans speculated that the girls were tired and hot from two days of 100-degree temperatures.

The Next Level demonstrated they were as advertised by defeating the Crushers 9-0. Next Level had 12 hits in the game, including two home runs.

The Crushers managed only one hit while suffering six strikeouts. The team heading home to cool drinks and swimming pools, plus a two-week rest period.

Up next for the Crushers - a return trip to Artesia.