U-10 Energy reaches semifinals in tourney
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Originally published 02:00 p.m., June 24, 2008
Updated 02:00 p.m., June 24, 2008
The Emporia Energy U-10 softball team went 2-3 on the weekend to tie for third place in the Mike’s Sporting Goods Summer Slam tournament. Emporia faced some of its toughest competition of the year in the State-qualifying tournament.
The 10s got started early on Saturday morning with a 10-0 loss to the Topeka Thunder. In its first afternoon matchup, Emporia came to life and was able to earn a 4-3 victory over the Clay Center B’s. In its last game on Saturday, Emporia couldn’t generate any offense against the Topeka Storm in a 13-0 loss.
The Energy faced the Chase County Explosion in single-elimination bracket play on Sunday and managed a comeback to get a 4-2 win. Emporia went on to face the eventual tournament champions — the Great Bend Quicksilver — and came up short in a 7-3 loss.
Abbey Jackson had the only hit in Game One against the Thunder. Abby Weiser was in the pitching circle.
In Game Two against the always-tough Clay Center B’s, Emporia scored three runs in the third inning to build a 4-0 lead. Weiser, Jade Smith and Jackson scored one run each. Aly Boyer scored the other Emporia run. Kylee Giffin picked up the win in the circle.
In its third game of the day, Emporia’s offense was silent as it went down to the Storm.
On Sunday, the 10s were in a back-and-forth battle against the Explosion. Chase County scored one run in the first, but Emporia would answer with one of its own when Emma Harmon scored on a single by Weiser. Chase County scored another in the second inning to take a 2-1 lead.
Emporia went into the last inning still down by one. Jackson drew a leadoff walk and stole both second and third. Weiser then ripped a single that scored Jackson.
Sierra Potter and Giffin then each drew walks to load the bases, and Kelsey Gordon blasted a double to the right field that scored two runs and gave Emporia the 4-2 win.
Emporia went on to its semifinal game against the Quicksilver. Great Bend scored three quick runs to start the game and added two more in the second inning. Emporia didn’t score until the third inning when Harmon and Jackson scored on a single by Haylee Boulanger. The Quicksilver took the 7-3 win and went on to defeat Clay Center in the championship game.
The Energy U-10s wrapped up their regular season with a 17-13 record and will play next in the Class C-Gold State Tournament in Wichita on July 11-13.