The Manhattan Optimist Moxie fast-pitch softball team went 5-2 at Nationals in Goddard at the All-Turf Genesis complex.

On July 16, Moxie played two games winning 12-1 and 8-1 in the games. In the first game against the Oklahoma Outsiders, Moxie had 10 hits while the Outsiders were held hitless. Chloe Purvis went 2-for-2 with a double and two RBI’s, Brooklyn Dye matched the 2-for-2 effort. Reese Grady had a 2 run home run and Reagan Thomason doubled in the game to drive home a run. Brynna Zoeller, Alli Louquet, and Lauren Blackwood each singled.

Zoeller earned the win throwing a no-hit, four-strikeout gem of a game.

In the next game of the day, Moxie faced Pride Prospects from Oklahoma winning 8-1. Brooklyn Dye homered in the game, Grady, Zoeller and guest player Delayni Clark each had singles in the game. Zoeller again pitched for the win, fanning five and allowing only one earned run. In the third pool play game, Moxie won 5-3 over the ICT Blue Jays from Wichita.

Moxie was up 5-0 through a majority of the game, the Blue Jays made a surge, scoring 3 in the bottom of the 4th inning. Chloe Purvis doubled to drive in a run, Emma Liby put down a great squeeze bunt to score a run. Reese Grady, Brooklyn Dye and Brynna Zoeller each singled in the game. Zoeller pitched Moxie to victory, allowing three runs on four hits and five strikeouts. The 3-0 start put Moxie as a one-seed in their pool.

Bracket play started with a good win over the Nebraska Outlaws 7-5. Reese Grady tripled to drive in a run, Reagan Thomason doubled to drive in another. Brynna Zoeller homered to drive in two and seal the win. Alli Louquet, Delayni Clark and Lily Krainbill each singled in the game.

Zoeller continued to dominate, fanning seven and allowing one earned run, with five hits.

Moxie fell to the Central Kansas Crushers 2-5 in the next bracket game, Moxie was stymied with more errors (four) than hits (three), and could not get out of their own way against a quality opponent in the Crushers.

Zoeller had her second of what would be three home runs at the tournament in the game, while Purvis and Emma Liby each had a single. Zoeller suffered the loss despite giving up two earned runs, fanning four and walking two off eight hits.

In a must-win or go-home game, Moxie inched out a 4-3 win over the Slammers Untouchables from Colorado. Moxie held a 4-0 lead into the last inning, when the Untouchables plated three before Moxie shut the door with some defense.

Zoeller went 2-for-2 with three RBIs and her third home run of the tournament to top Moxie’s offense. Reese Grady and Reagan Thomason each doubled to drive home a run. Brooklyn Dye and Chloe Purvis each added a single. Zoeller pitched for her fifth win of the tournament, giving up five hits and fanning two.

Moxie fell in the final game of the season and tournament to the eventual tournament champion in the Jr. Belles of North Platte, Nebraska, by a score of 6-7. Moxie was down 7-2 and in the bottom of the last inning, had a surge to score 4 — not giving up, but falling a little short. Alli Louquet was an impressive 3-for-3 in the game with 2 RBIs.

Chloe Purvis went 2-3 with a double. Grady, Zoeller, Thomason and Payton Sturdy each singled in the game. Brynna Zoeller pitched in the game — and finished the summer season 14-6 with 119 strikeouts. Liby, Purvis and Thomason each caught throughout the summer.

Moxie finishes the season 15-6-1 on the summer. The team is made of players from Rock Creek High School – Chloe Purvis, Brynna Zoeller, Reese Grady, Brooklyn Dye, Reagan Thomason, Alli Louquet, Emma Liby, Lauren Blackwood, Payton Sturdy and Lily Krainbill. Moxie is coached by Michele Holaday and Jeri Brummett.

Optimist Prime compete in Marysville

The Manhattan Optimist Prime Softball team played in the Black Squirrel Classic softball tournament in Marysville. In pool play, Prime won the first game 11-2 against their first opponent, Dickinson County Stars from Wakefield. Ember Conger was the starting pitcher with relief from Paige Miller. Lila Lewis had two doubles in the game and handled the catching duties all tournament long. Offensively, Jalen Campbell led the team with a single and two doubles. Kelbi Dettmer and Paige Miller had two doubles each. Maddie Fobes, Lillie Foster, and Conger all added singles.

In the second pool play game, Prime beat Blue Heat from Holton, 6-4. Conger was on the mound for this game with relief from Miller. Good offense helped win this close game with Lila Lewis’ single and double; Fobes added two singles. Doubles by Olivia Kline, Campbell, and Foster with singles from Dettmer and Conger cinched the win.

In bracket play, Prime met Blue Heat again and came away with another close victory, 7-6. Conger pitched with Miller helping in relief. Knylah Wilhoite led all batters with a single and a double.

Fobes added two singles. Dettmer doubled; Miller, Lewis and Foster singled.

In the championship game, the Clay Center B’s outscored Prime 3-2 in the last inning to take the victory 9-7. Paige Miller managed the pitching duties.

Offensively Wilhoite had a single and a double in the game. Miller and Lewis doubled; Dettmer and Conger singled.

Prime will play next in Hutchinson at the Paint the Valley Pink tournament to finish their summer schedule.