The Emporia Energy 18U softball team has turned up the heat in summer ball, rapidly amassing a 7-1 record.
The collective of area players claimed the HS C-Bracket title at the USSSA State Championships, held in Shawnee last weekend.
The Energy defeated the Lightning 16U twice, 6-2 and 9-8, the Lightning 18U, 12-7, NE Quakes-Parker, 3-2, and the Manhattan Optimist Prime 18U, 9-3, en route to the championship. (They lost to the Prime, 5-4, earlier in the tournament.)
“The girls kept composure all weekend long and picked each other up,” said Energy coach Tommy McClure in a text message. “We came behind in three of the six games, one being the semis. We’re missing some players on Sunday, but all pulled through to get the job done. Got big production from everyone when we needed it. Proud of this group!”
In particular, the Energy was without Atlyn Heffron Sunday. The Emporia High School senior belted a triple, scored three runs and logged two RBIs on Saturday.
Tournament Numbers
Yzabel Ultreras went 7-13, scoring six runs, notching seven RBIs and swiping three bases.
All-state selection Reece Johnson of Southern Lyon County was 6-14 with two runs scored and five RBIs.
Molly Williams collected seven hits, including three doubles, crossed the plate seven times, and picked up five RBIs.
SLC’s Taitlyn Cole posted five hits in 12 at-bats. But Cole made the most of her trips to the plate, hammering two doubles and two home runs with two RBIs.
Lebo-Waverly player Maya Wilson recorded three RBIs and scored two runs.
Chase County sophomore Lahna Passmore went 4-10, registering four runs and three RBIs.
Emporia sophomore Lynnli Storm put together a solid tournament, nearly batting .500 with five runs scored and two RBIs.
Emporia’s Kaylee Gilliland scored four runs and batted in one run.
From the circle, SLC junior Adriana Weeden logged 11 innings of work and allowed 14 hits and six earned runs, while striking out 15 and issuing 11 walks.
Morgan Young of Lyndon High School threw four innings, giving up seven runs and six hits. She struck out seven and walked five.
Passmore showed out in 10 innings of work, posting nine strikeouts against two walks, and only allowing three earned runs.
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