The Crofton Lady Warriors 12U softball team finished tied for 13th in the USA Softball of Nebraska Class C State Tournament in Hastings during the weekend of June 28-30.
The team played great in their first game (Friday at 3:30), holding a 2-1 lead against W.D.S.A (Wahoo) into the bottom of the fifth. Camry Michael pitched well for four innings allowing one run and scattering a few hits. The girls’ defense was on point as Baileigh Sailer had an outfield assist at third and the Warriors turned a 1-3-6 double play where Ella LaCroix made a snap throw from first to second base to backpick a Wahoo runner.
Offensively, LaCroix knocked in a run with an RBI double and Camry Michael stole home on a delayed steal where she was bold enough to steal home on her own. Otherwise, the team struggled to put the ball in play, racking up nine strikeouts. The dugout was rocking and everyone shared a sense of confidence.
However, that feeling dissipated gradually in the bottom of the fifth as Wahoo hitters kept finding holes to hit the ball through, scoring nine runs and ending the game before the Warriors could even bat. In fact, the game was on the “8 after 5” mercy rule before the end of the inning.
After this loss on Friday afternoon, the Lady Warriors played the North Platte Lady Jags and fell 7-4. Again, the girls held an early lead as Camry Michael hit an inside- the-park home run in the top of the first inning, but the Lady Jags stormed back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first.
The Warriors added two more runs in the top of the third, but they were answered with three runs by the Jags in the bottom of the inning. Crofton was held scoreless in the top of the third while the Jags tacked on two more runs. Crofton tried to rally in the top of the fourth, but could only muster one run. In the end, the Warriors had a good effort, but walks and defensive mistakes haunted them throughout the game. Combined, the Crofton pitchers walked eight hitters in three innings.
Offensively, the Warriors had four hits, including the one from Michael, one by LaCroix, Sailer, and Grace Morrison. Layla Foxhoven and Lauren Connot each knocked in a run. Michael, LaCroix, Hetzel, and McCoy each scored a run.
This loss faced the 12U girls against the Falls City Travellers on Saturday morning, which turned out to be the Lady Warriors’ lone win of the tournament. LaCroix had four RBI on three hits (two doubles), and Michael had three RBI on two hits, including a two-run inside-the-park homer. Avery Arens also added two hits and an RBI. Grace Morrison and Baileigh Sailer each added hits. Sailer also walked twice and scored three runs. Michael pitched a great game and was supported well by her teammates on defense.
On Saturday afternoon, the Warriors competed against Fearless 12U Wahl (Kearney) and were eliminated from tournament contention with a 7-2 loss. Kearney held the Warriors scoreless in the top of the first before gouging them for three runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 3-0 lead. The Warriors answered with a run of their own in the top of the second, but gave up three more in the bottom of the inning.
Again, Crofton answered with a run in the top of the third. However, after scoring another run in the bottom of the inning, Kearney was given the victory as the 75 minutes allotted for the game expired while they were hitting. Again, pitching and defense were the stories for Crofton as Kearney either put the ball in play in parts of the field not occupied by Crofton defenders or the Crofton defenders could not consistently get outs on balls put in play that they had to range to get to.
Offensively, the Lady Warriors had two runs on five hits (Michael 2, Sailer 1, LaCroix 1, and Bella Hetzell 1). They scored both runs on wild pitches. Morrison and LaCroix scored the two runs for the Warriors. Morrison, LaCroix, and Foxhoven all walked. It was a tough ending to an otherwise fun and impressive season. There was a tremendous amount of improvement from each girl, much of which came from optional off-season workouts the girls were willing to sacrifice their time to attend.
The plain truth is that every team at the tournament had a pitcher who could throw strikes with velocity, hitters who could put the ball in play to put pressure on opposing defenses, baserunners who were aggressive, and a defense who could make routine plays.
For our team to be an elite group among this type of competition, we are going to have to remain together, continue driving forward, and get better in these areas. With a renewed effort and consistent work habits in the coming months and years, the girls have a chance to put themselves in a position to reach this level.