The Minnesota Blizzard found a way to beat the heat.

Playing in the first game of the ASA/USA Girls Class A 16-Under Fast Pitch National Tournament at 8 a.m. Monday at Central Park, they almost found a way to beat Texas Glory of Adkins before falling 11-10.

Playing with the international tiebreaker, Rylie Chappell's single up the middle scored Brooke McCarrell from third base with the game-winner in the pool play opener for both teams.

It never looked like it would get that far. Texas Glory was up 10-6 before the Blizzard got two-run doubles from Sam Kane and Taylor LeMay to tie the contest in the sixth inning.

"We've had situations where we had to come back like that and it shows how mentally focused we can be as a team," Wenner said. "It really shows in games like that. It's disappointing losing, but then again, it was a really good game."

Baylee Gray, who pitches at the high school level for Mansfield Legacy, tossed the first four innings for Texas Glory and left with a 9-4 advantage after giving up five hits.

"We've been working really hard and had hard practices and I think we deserved to win that game," said Gray, who said her team of players from the Dallas suburbs kept its cool, too. "We're from Texas, so it's not too bad. We have girls from Forney, Flower Mound. The third pitcher is from Sherman and we have a couple of girls from other places."

Shortstop Brooke Holloway of Flower Mound, who was 4 for 4, had a ground rule two-run double in Texas Glory's three-run first inning. Holloway scored the first of her four runs on the first sacrifice fly by catcher Krista Williams, who added another an inning later.

The Blizzard never led, but tied the game for the first time at 3-3 in the bottom of the first. Wenner had a ground-rule double and Sarah Rozell followed with a two-run single.

K.K. Kannegiesser came in to pitch for the Blizzard in the third inning and kept her team in contention by limiting Texas Glory to four hits the rest of the way.

"I wasn't expecting to pitch," Kannesgiesser said. "It was kind of tough, but once you get going you get into it, and with the team backing you up, it feels pretty good."

"We could have folded the tent, but they hit the ball well and we had a chance to win the ballgame," Blizzard coach Tom Nemo said. "That team is smart, quick and put pressure on our defense and we didn't play well defensively. I'm proud of them, because we hit the ball. We come from Minnesota, so we hit the ball."

The Blizzard was the only Minnesota team that drew a morning game. The other teams from the state played early afternoon contests.

"It's nice to have an 8 o'clock game on a hot, hot week down here," Nemo said. "We've had a hot summer in Minnesota, but it's appropos that the Blizzard would come down and play in the Texas heat."

The morning game eased any adjustment the Minnesota players might have needed.

"I sweat a ton, but it's not like it's so hot that I can't stand it, but it's different," said Kannegiesser, whose early game allowed her to plot out the rest of her day. "Air conditioner, stay inside, and get in the pool."

Some members of the Minnesota team flew to Houston, and Nemo arrived in Dallas. Others, like Kannegiesser's mother Camie, made the 17-hour drive.

"We're used to our husbands driving and it was a change for us," said Camie Kannegiesser, who drove with Lana Wenner on their first visit to Texas. "It's just great to play here. They won a tournament to get here and it's just lovely to come and play this competition."