The U12 Jr Chargers ended their tournament season on a high note by taking first place in the Silver Spur Stampede in Mauston on July 17th.  It was great playing against teams from all over the state and also a couple from Illinois.   

Friday’s pool play games started with a game against Hamlin Park, IL.  The Purple Lions struck first in the top of the second plating three runs, but the Chargers came right back with eight runs in the bottom of the inning.  After singles by Abby McCauley, Ava Serembiczky, Sydney York along with three walks, Isadora McCann hit a two run inside the park homerun to make it 8-3.   The Chargers would add two more in the bottom of the third with a single by Bridget Dwyer and a double by Isabella Ott.  That was all that Hope Lehnen would need in the circle, as she went the distance for the win.  She tossed four innings and struck out eight. The final score was 10-5. 

In game two on Friday, the Chippewa Valley Raptors bats were hot and after two innings they were up 8-0.  The Chargers could have given up, but they battled and with two outs in the bottom of the 2nd McCauley drew a walk and Dwyer doubled to put the Chargers on the board. After the second inning Makenna Best helped cool the Raptors bats down by keeping them off balance.  The Chargers didn’t give up but ended up falling 10-3 in five innings.  The coaches were impressed with their effort and grit after being down 8-0. 

Saturday’s game vs. ISA Black was a pitchers’ duel with Kaylin Stendler and Syndey York combining for a four hit shoutout in six innings.  Each pitcher went three innings with Stendler striking out six and York striking out four. McCann led the way at the plate with 2 hits.  Lehnen, Stendler, Ott and McCauley all collected a hit as well.  Several nice defensive plays were made in the field.  Final was 3-0 in favor of the Chargers. 

Championship Sunday started at eight am and with the fog lifting, the Chargers were in as the five seed and faced ISA Royal.  The lower seed helped get the Chargers on the board first with a  four spot.  After a couple walks and a hit by pitch, Aubrie Peterson lined a single to left that scored York.  McCauley then lined a double to right that scored two more.  ISA scored three in the bottom of the first, but another RBI single by Peterson in the 3rd gave the Chargers a 5-3 lead.  In the top of the 5th Kaitlin Schwartz walked to lead off the inning.  After singles by York, Lehnen and McCann, and an RBI ground out by Peterson, the Chargers were up 8-3.  Peterson led the way with three RBIs and McCann and McCauley each had 2.  York wouldn’t allow another run after the first inning and got the win.  She tossed five innings with five strikeouts, and again, had some great defense behind her.  Ott made a nice catch in a deep fly ball to right and Dwyer made a nice play at 2nd in the hole. 

The Semifinal game was against the Muskego Storm.  Again, being the lower seed paid off as the Chargers jumped out to a 6-0 lead after the top of the first.  Stendler had a single, double and two RBIs.  Dwyer had a double with two RBIs and Peterson also knocked in two runs. Best and Lehnen combined for five innings of shutout ball.  Each pitcher recorded five strikeouts and only allowed one hit. 

The Championship was set vs the Chicago Ravens.  The Chargers again jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first.  A single by York, double by McCann and singles from Peterson and McCauley had the score at 2-0.  The Ravens came back with two of their own in the bottom of the first.  In the 4th, Serembiczky singled, Lehnen singled and then McCann tripled to right field giving the Chargers a 4-2 lead.  That’s all the support Best would need as she and her defense hung zeros on the board from the second inning through the sixth.  Best allowed two hits and had four strikeouts.  The Charger’s defense was stellar and didn’t commit an error.  This was the third game of the weekend that didn’t get called due to time limit.  That takes some very solid pitching and fielding! 

It was a great weekend both on and off the diamond as the girls bonded at the hotel pool and in the Dells for lunch at the Grateful Shed and also enjoyed Go-Kart rides.  They’re looking forward to finishing up their successful season with a night under the lights at Helfaer Field on July 21st vs. Muskego at 8:30 pm.  The coaches are very proud of their growth and accomplishments this year and can’t wait to see what their softball futures hold!  Good luck and great season Chargers!!