The Emporia U-18 Energy finished in fourth place at the ASA Class B State Fastpitch Tournament in Topeka, posting a 1-3 record over the weekend.
“It was a bittersweet ending on a really good season,” Emporia coach Lin Muninger said. “We played hard, but we just did not play as well as we are capable of.”
Emporia started the tournament with a 6-5 loss to the Lawrence Phenix.
The defeat was especially disappointing because the Energy scored all five of their runs in the first inning to take a 5-0 lead.
Andrea McAfee started things with a bunt hit. After a fielder’s choice, Brendy Muninger walked and Amy McAfee reached on an error to fill the bases.
The first run scored on a passed ball, and a hit by Elyse Hecht re-loaded the bases.
Kelli Myers came up with the key hit. A replacement for shortstop McKenzie Cinelli, who missed the tournament because she left for New York to start college, Myers delivered a three-RBI double.
Myers later came around on an RBI groundout from Javyn Carl.
The Phenix responded with three in the third, two in the fifth and one in the sixth.
Amber Jones took the loss for Emporia.
The Energy dropped its next game to the Alma Power, 3-1. Amy McAfee took the loss, allowing single runs in the first, fourth and fifth despite battling her control. She walked 11 Alma batters.
Meanwhile, Emporia could get little going offensively.
The Energy had four hits — with three coming from nine-hole hitter Chelsea Goins and the other from Myers.
“We hit the ball hard, but right at them,” coach Muninger said, “and they made the plays.”
Emporia picked up its only victory in the third game, defeating the Topeka Rockin Jays, 8-2.
The Energy offense started in the third with a four-run inning. Andrea McAfee led off with a bunt single, Hecht added an infield hit, and Jones loaded the bases with a bunt hit.
Brendy Muninger made sure to drive them in, knocking a base-clearing double for a 3-0 Emporia lead.
Muninger later scored on a hit from Amy McAfee.
The Energy added four more in the fourth with a similar formula. Goins started the frame with a hit, Andrea McAfee walked, and after a fielder’s choice, Muninger blasted another double to plate two more.
“It was nice to see our offense come together,” coach Muninger said. “Everyone contributed.”
Myers followed with a double to score Muninger, and Amy McAfee later provided an RBI single.
Brendy Muninger’s two doubles and five RBI paced the offense, while Amy McAfee and Carl both contributed two hits.
Jones took the win in the circle.
In the final game, Emporia lost to the Alma Power once again, this time by the score of 7-2.
The Energy couldn’t overcome a poor first inning, as Alma scored four runs in the frame and held the advantage from there.
“We faced some teams that could really hit the ball,” coach Muninger said, “and offensively, we just couldn’t keep up.”
Lenae Wells led Emporia with two hits, including a double. Carl also posted a pair of singles.
The Energy ends their season with a 22-13 record.
“We had a really fun and successful summer. I couldn’t be happier with this team,” coach Muninger said. “We had a group of girls who just wanted to have fun, play ball and contribute to the success of the team, and that’s what it’s all about.”