Emporia Energy U-10s take Diamond Classic title
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Monday, June 2, 2008
The Emporia Energy U-10s softball team went 5-0 and took first place at the Emporia Energy Diamond Classic tournament this weekend at Whittier Fields.
On Saturday, the Energy defeated the Chase County Explosion, 5-1, beat the Topeka Stingers, 10-3, and won a close contest against McPherson, 2-1.
On Sunday, Emporia beat the Topeka Starz, 9-4, and then, in the finale, came out on top against the Council Grove Down and Dirty by a score of 2-1.
In the opener on Saturday, the Energy was led offensively by Emma Harmon, Abbey Jackson and Abby Weiser, who each had a hit, with Weiser getting the win in the pitching circle.
In the second game, the Energy was led by Jade Smith and Kylee Giffin, who each came through with a hit, while Sierra Potter added two singles to the cause. Giffin was credited with the pitching win.
In Game Three on Saturday, the Energy got a little revenge for an earlier loss to McPherson this season. It was a closely contested game throughout, with Harmon scoring both Emporia runs — one in the top of the first and one in the top of the second.
McPherson would score its lone run in the bottom of the second, and the score stayed put from there, with Emporia claiming the victory.
In Emporia’s first action on Sunday, the Energy scored four quick runs in the first inning and added five more in the third on the way to the victory over the Starz.
Smith, Weiser, Morgan Holmes and Giffin each scored twice, while Potter scored the final run for the Energy. Morgan McCoy came up with the big hit of the game that drove in two runs.
In what turned out to be the championship game, Emporia faced a tough Down and Dirty team.
The contest was scoreless heading into the fifth inning before the Energy loaded the bases in the top of the frame. Kelsey Gordon came in to pinch run, and Aly Boyer and Haylee Boulanger both came home after walks to put Emporia ahead, 2-0.
Council Grove would not go down easily, though. It scored one run in the bottom of the inning, but the Energy defense would not be denied, as they had two put-outs to end the game and claim the tournament championship.
Coach Jared Giffin said Emporia’s defensive effort, hitting improvements and pitching from Weiser have been the keys to the U-10s’ success as of late.
The Emporia U-10s next will travel to Chanute for the Region 2 Championships on Saturday.