Three games. Three wins.
Laramie Lightning’s under-18 squad went unbeaten in pool play at the Wyoming club softball state tournament Friday and Saturday in Gillette.
The Lightning secured the No. 2 seed in the gold bracket and play Jackson at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Laramie opened the tournament with an 11-1 (four innings) triumph against Renegades. It continued when it dispatched Matrix Fastpitch, 14-5 (three innings), then the Wyoming Havoc, 5-4 (five innings) on Saturday.
Lightning 5, Havoc 4
Graisen Hawkins’ go-ahead single in the fourth inning became the difference.
Laramie led 4-1 after the first inning before the Havoc scored three unanswered runs across the next two frames.
Laramie pitcher Amanda Cricken tossed a six-hit complete game. She allowed one earned run, two walks and struck out two.
Rachael Dean paced the Lightning with two hits.
Davanee Hodges, Tayvin Aragon, Brodee Luce, Kricken and Hawkins each added a hit.
Lightning 14, Matrix 3
Laramie’s offense exploded early with an 11-0 lead after the first inning.
Rylee Luce led with two hits. Davanee Hodges, Aragon, Charlie Hodges, Brodee Luce, Kricken, Addison Acton and Hawkins each added one.
Laramie starting pitcher Brodee Luce struck out three in 2â…“ innings. She allowed three hits, three earned runs and three walks.
Acton struck out one of her three batters faced.
Lightning 11, Renegades 1
Brodee Luce smacked a solo inside-the-park home run in the third inning as Laramie totaled 10 hits.
Laramie led 2-1 after the first inning. It scored nine unanswered runs across the third and fourth innings.
Davanee Hodges went 3-for-3 at the top of the lineup. Aragon added two hits in the No. 2 spot. Dean, Brodee Luce, Kricken, Acton and Hawkins each recorded a hit.
Acton struck out six in a complete game. She allowed one unearned run and a walk.