The Manhattan Optimist Jaguars 11U fastpitch softball team battled to a runner-up finish at the Cap City Diamond Queens Tournament in Topeka on May 17-18.
The Jags needed some time to warm up in the first pool play game on Saturday morning, falling behind three runs before rallying for a 7-5 win against the Royal Flush 12U. Trinity Meader had a hit, an RBI, and two stolen bases. Ella Powers delivered two hits and two RBIs. Addie Koch doubled and scored twice, and Kaitlyn Vilkanskas had two hits and an RBI. Aubrey Bowen pitched a complete game, striking out nine and allowing just two earned runs.
Finally awake, the Jags cruised 18-3 in the second pool play game against the Lincoln Rockets 12U-Angle. Maggie Klein had three hits and three RBIs while pitching two solid innings, allowing just two runs. Bowen was a powerhouse at the plate, going three-for-three with a double, a triple off the right-center fence, and three RBIs. Audrey Henderson scored twice and added a hit and RBI.
The Jags capped a perfect day of pool play to secure a one seed in bracket play as they defeated the A-Team Aces–Hice 12U team from Lawrence by a score of 28-0. Lennon Zeka scored four runs and had two hits, including a stolen base. Erin Luce went two-for-two with an inside-the-park home run and four RBIs, and Vivian Hutchinson scored twice along with adding two hits and two RBIs to help lead the offense. Klein and Koch combined to allow zero runs while striking out four.
The start of bracket play saw the Jags make quick work of the Rampage 12U in a 24-0 game. Zeka went three-for-four with four runs and three RBIs. Meader had a monster game with four hits, five RBIs, and a triple. Henderson had three hits, including a triple, and one RBI. Luce tripled, scored three times, and drove in a run. Powers had an inside-the-park home run and drove in four runs. Vilkanskas had two hits and two stolen bases, and Hutchinson scored three runs and caught a shutout behind the plate. Koch pitched the complete game shutout, allowing just one hit and striking out two.
In the semifinals, the Jags edged fellow Manhattan Optimist team Kansas Belles 12U by a score of 4-3. The Jags jumped out to a two-run lead thanks to a double down the right field line from Luce. Hutchinson was able to reach and scored Luce before a fly ball to right field by Zeka scored Hutchinson. The Belles came back to grab the lead with three in the third, but back to back doubles by Henderson and Klein tied the game, followed by Klein sneaking across the plate on a passed ball to help secure the win as the Jags were able to get a quick three outs in the top of the fourth and secure a spot in the championship. Bowen pitched a complete game, striking out two and allowing just three earned runs over four innings.
In the championship, the Mammoth 12U had an answer every time the momentum seemed to be swinging, and the Jags just couldn’t get the bats rolling in a 6-4 loss. After jumping out to a two-run lead in the second on hits from Klein and Luce, Mammoth came back quickly with four of their own to take a 4-2 lead into the fourth. Singles again from Klein and Luce helped tie the game as they were both able to cross the plate during game action, but the door on a potential championship was slammed shut in the bottom of the fourth after Mammoth scored two to again take the lead. Klein and Bowen both pitched two innings for the Jags in the loss. Klein allowed two hits and one earned run while striking out three, Bowen allowed four hits and three earned runs.
The Jaguars are coached by Pamela Schlodder, TJ Vilkanskas, Adam Bowen, and Bret Henderson. Teammate Daphney Adams was unable to compete at this tournament due to injury. Their next tournament action is May 30 to June 1 at the Under Armour Championship Series in Kansas City.