"Going there means we're one of the top teams in the area," says Willow Glen resident Caitlin Kiernan, 14, a team starter, who plays second base for the Strikkers. "We'll be playing with a higher class of teams."

The Strikkers—whose 12 players are from throughout the South Bay—earned a national berth after taking first place in the state championships held in Fairfield this June. The team beat out 23 other 14-and-under teams from Northern California, winning them a much-coveted spot in the association's national championships. The team travels to Normal, Ill. this week for the competition, which is considered equivalent in stature by those competing to a local Little League team flying to Pennsylvania to beat out the best. And once there the team will be pitted against as many as 120 other A-level teams in tournament play.

It's an accomplishment that surprised head coach Marty Satalino Jr., parents and players, since the girls have only been together since May.

But Kiernan says the Strikkers are ready to take on the challenge.

"On other teams, there are a few players with attitudes, but here we all get along," she says. "It just feels right. Everyone works together really well."

And Satalino says that just might be their secret weapon—the girls' strong sense of camaraderie and allegiance to each other. Teammate Jessica Allemandi agrees.

"We're all friends," says the 14-year-old, who plays outfield and catcher. "We have parties."

But Satalino says it's more than that—the girls have also demonstrated a great deal of maturity and commitment for their age.

"Some of the players are only in seventh and eighth grade but they play with high schoolers," he says. " It's remarkable how quickly they started winning."

The team is hoping to take that winning attitude all the way and hold a victory celebration after the nationals, but some of the players also have a backup plan.

"If we lose at first, we can hang in Chicago," says Jackie Des Jardin, 14, who pitches and plays first base.

But that thinking is quickly squelched by other members of the team, like Allemandi, who says, "We're not gonna lose."

But no matter what the outcome, 13-year-old Sarah Hassman, a shortstop and outfielder, says playing for the Strikkers has taught her about teamwork and the competitive spirit.

"It's fun to beat the other teams," she says.

Samantha Antolin, 14, who pitches and plays third base for the team, agrees. "It's competitive, and it's fun to be around your friends."

Satalino, who owns Serve-All Water Conditioners in Willow Glen, says this esprit de corps is the essence of the Strikkers

"We don't have any egos," he says. "We have 12 players who play like a team instead of 12 individuals. I've been around softball a long time, and I've never seen girls who don't break into cliques after the game."

It's that team mentality that has helped the Strikkers remain undefeated in five straight tournaments, and it should come as no surprise to ASA officials because according to the association's training manual, a unified approach is the key to a winning team.

Satalino says the girls have learned to put the goals of the team ahead of their own individual goals.

"I've seen teams with more horsepower, but other teams don't have the cohesiveness we do," he says.

Photograph courtesy of Jayme Cooper Gotta Have Heart: The fastpitch softball team the Strikkers have won a spot at the Amateur Softball Association's national championships in Normal, Ill. It is the first time any of the players has reached this level. In the championship, the girls will be competing against more than 100 teams in the 14-and-under age group.

"When you get to this level, it's expensive to play," Satalino says. "You're traveling virtually every weekend for 10 weekends in a row," and each team member is responsible for their own travel expenses.

But the association encourages family and friends to attend and travel to the tournament. And since a team that stays together plays better together, staying in the same hotel is also encouraged, as is getting together for breakfast before tournament play begins.

But all this togetherness becomes costly, and the Strikkers have held fundraisers to offset some of the expenses involved in getting to the national championships. Satalino is even sending out letters to potential donors.

"I've received some money, but not as much as I'd like," he says.

Satalino's daughter Christine is the Strikkers' starting shortstop, and his four assistant coaches all have daughters on the team.

But coaching is strictly on a volunteer basis. The coaches are doing it for the love of the game.

"We want to be there to support our daughters," he says.

Photograph by Dustin Cohen Teamwork: Strikkers head coach Marty Satarino (left) has coached softball for a number of years, but he's been surprised by the skill level and teamwork of his daughter Christine's team.

"For my older daughter, it was a means to an end," he adds. "Softball let her play a game she enjoyed and get a college education."

Satalino says as many as 250 scouts turn out for major tournaments like the national championships, although they probably won't be looking at this season's Strikkers too closely.

College scouts don't track the under-16s as much, he says, but when a player is in their sights, they look at whom the individual has played for and how successful she was, he says.

For his younger daughter, softball has proven to be more than an outlet for honing her skills, Satalino notes. Christine's participation in the ASA has given her an extended circle of friends, and she keeps in touch with former teammates who have moved out of the area to cities such as Stockton and Rockland.

But it's her most recent group of teammates and the trip to Illinois that has everyone excited. And her teammates are all business as the date gets closer.

"If we win, we get lots of awards," Des Jardin says. "You get a good reputation, and good players come try out for your team."

Attracting quality players will be important for the Strikkers as its strong lineup changes in the fall. Des Jardin, Allemandi and Kiernan—all of whom have been playing softball for four years—are among the seven players who will have to leave the Strikkers and move to a team in the 16-and-under age bracket.

The loss of these experienced players will be felt. Willow Glen resident Kiernan is completely committed to the game. In addition to the Strikkers, she plays on the junior varsity team at Archbishop Mitty High School, where she'll be a sophomore in the fall.

"I don't play any other sports," Kiernan says, adding that she likes playing defense better than offense. "You always have to be ready in the field. It's fun to make good plays."

Satalino says Kiernan's commitment is indicative of the team as a whole.

"When we got these girls together, we knew we'd upgraded the team overall," he adds. "It's incredibly difficult to gain a national berth at this level."

This is particularly true in California, where ASA teams tend to clock more game time than teams in other parts of the country where the weather isn't as conducive to year-round play. It's also a numbers game: The Northern California State ASA is the sixth largest such association in the United States. According to Satalino, many California teams play in out-of-state tournaments in order to qualify for the 17 national championships the ASA conducts each year.

The Strikkers are relying on hard work and a competitive spirit to keep up their winning streak. They prepared for the nationals by scrimmaging against 16-and-under teams, which was more challenging for some players than for others.

"It's harder because the other players are older and bigger," Des Jardin says.

But Hassman didn't agree with her teammate, saying, "You'd think it'd be harder, but it's not."

Yet the girls are in complete accord on one major issue—softball is a tough game.

"Boys say it's so much easier than baseball, but it's not," Hassman says.

They explain by saying that one of the hardest moves to make in the game is the diving catch, which is the same as in baseball.

"No one likes it," Kiernan says. "You have to convince yourself to get down and dirty and do what it takes to get that ball."

Satalino is convinced that his Strikkers have what it takes when the plays call for it and that it will serve them well in the national championships.

"The girls have just been blowing our minds," he says. "I never doubted they could do this, but they did it with a quiet assurance."