Bolivar Softball Club had a great weekend. All four teams competed at the 7th annual Missouri Lightning Tournament in Republic and came away with a 9-3 overall record. The 12U Blue coached by Jamie Halbrook went 3-0 securing the championship of their division; the 10U team coached by Nathan Rothdiener also finished 3-0 with a championship. Coach Kyle Hedges 14U team went 2-1 and finished 3rd due to tie breakers and the 12U Gold team coached by Amber Cline finished 1-2 by claiming their first win of the year.
“We had a remarkable weekend. 2 championships and 9-3 on the day is really more than you can ask for against the competition we faced. This is the first year for the Bolivar Softball Club and we are establishing a reputation of being a tough, hard working group. Our girls expect to win when we play and we are very excited about that. We just have to keep driving forward.” Jay Halbrook
Saturday 6-21-08
12U Blue (12-3-1)
Game 1: v. Morrisville Lady Panthers; W – 13 – 0; winning pitcher – Abby Toler (7-0) 4 K’s; Hits: Abby Toler, 2; Jaelyn Halbrook, 3-3 (triple); Anna Pitts, 2; Taylor Sechler, 2 (double); Brook Townsend, 2; Karli Duren, 2;
“We scored 5 in the 1st inning, 3 more in the 2nd, and took the life out of Morrisville. Abby pitched very well and we played defense behind her. We really took the wind out of their sails by jumping out to a lead early and not allowing them to score.” Jamie Halbrook
Game 2: v. Republic Frogs; W – 8 – 5; winning pitcher – Abby Toler (8-0) 4 K’s; Hits: Sammy Jacobson, double; Taylor Sechler, 2; Karli Duren double; Brittany Briggs and Toler;
“We only had 6 hits, but we took advantage of our speed, walks, and hit batters to take a lead and finish a game very strong. The Frogs walked off the field to stop the game after 4 innings and time expiring, I have never seen a team just quit that way.” Jamie Halbrook
Game 2: v. Ozark Hornets; W – 11 – 2; winning pitcher Abby Toler (9-0) 6 K’s; Hits: Sammy Jacobson, 3; Jaelyn Halbrook, 2, Taylor Sechler, double; Karli Duren, 2; Briggs and Pitts;
“We played hard all day with only 9 girls. We got banged up a little with all of our hit batters and an injury on a slide. Our girls had the opportunity to experience a championship and that is a wonderful experience for them, I am very proud of their work today.” Jamie Halbrook
12 Blue dropped 2 earlier in the week falling to the Ash Grove and Willard Jr. High teams in Willard (Tuesday). Up Next: @ Meador Park Thursday 6-26;
10U (10-5 overall, 7-2 player pitch)
Game 1, v. Ozark Thunder; W – 2 – 1; winning pitcher – Sydney Julien
Hits: Jenna Halbrook, Kennedy Hedges, Aleena Derossett, Alexis Miller, Katelynn Warren.
Game 2, v. Morrisville Little Lady Panthers; W – 4 – 2; winning pitcher – AnnaMarie McGlone
Hits: Kaylie Rothdiener, AnnaMarie McGlone (2), Kennedy Hedges, Katelyn Warren, Alexis Miller, Jenna Halbrook, Carissa Gooch.
Game 3, v. Republic Sting; W – 4 – 1; winning pitcher – Sydney Julien;
Hits: Sydney Julien, Kennedy Hedges, Alexis Miller, Aleena DeRossett, Kaylie Rothdiener, AnnaMarie McGlone, Katelynn Warren, Miranda Lightfoot, Mackenzie Austen.
“The girls played very well this weekend picking up 1st place trophy in the 10U division. We played great defensively making the plays when we needed to, we are playing catch very well and that is helping us to make good throws in the games. We are hitting the ball very well up and down the lineup. Our pitching was outstanding. I was very proud of the way our girls performed. They are improving each time we go take the field.” Nathan Rothdiener
10U is also competing in the Bolivar YMCA 5th and 6th grade division improved to 4 – 0 after wins Wednesday and Friday; UP NEXT: Springfield League Games Monday;
14U (7-7)
Game 1, Nixa Storm vs. BSC 14U; L 3-4, extra innings; Leading Hitters: Taylor Hedges 2-2, Sarah Magana 1-2 (3B) Pitcher: Brittany Wood, 7 IP, 7K
"Brittany pitched the best game she has pitched all season. Nixa is a very solid team with strong pitching. We went into a 7th inning tie breaker with the score 3-3. We just couldn't quite hold on." Kyle Hedges
Game 2, Republic Tigers vs. BSC 14U; W 4-3, extra inning; Leading Hitters: Sarah Magana, Brittany Wood 2-2 (2B), Peyton Peavey 1-3 (2B drove in the game winning run); Pitcher: Brittany Wood (3-4), 6 IP, 4K
"Republic had beaten Nixa earlier in the day, 4-1, so we knew this would be a tough game. The defense made some key plays. We went into a 6th inning tie breaker with the score 3-3, and Peyton came to the plate with the bases loaded, 1 out, and sent a shot to right center to score the winning run. Peyton really stepped up for her team today with a big hit in a clutch situation." Kyle Hedges
Game 3, Springfield Eclipse vs. BSC 14U; W 12-5; Leading Hitters: Mariah Periman 2-2, Taylor Dickenson 2-2, Peyton Peavey 2-3; Pitchers: Brittany Wood, (4-4) 2 1/3 IP, 1K, Relief - Peyton Peavey, Taylor Hedges
"Brittany had thrown alot of innings for the day, and had given her team all she had, she just finally wore down, but not before helping her team secure the lead.
We (the 14U) had a great day. Nixa and Republic are the 2 best teams we've played this year, and we took both into a tie breaker. The girls have really improved both offensively and defensively, and now have the confidence that they can play with anyone. Three teams in the 14U division ended up with a 2-1 record (Bolivar, Nixa, Republic). So, with a 3 way tie for 1st, places were decided by runs allowed, which put us in 3rd place." Kyle Hedges
Next games, Monday June 30, 6:00 and 7:15 Springfield League games
12U Gold (2-8)
Game 1: v. Ozark Express – L – 0 – 9;
"Rough start to the day, we had some really good swings but were no-hit." Amber Cline
Game 2: v. Spring Springfield Explosions L – 7 – 16 Megan Elliot and Haleigh Wallace pitched. Haley Rausch, Megan Elliott, Brandi Cline, Haleigh Wallace, Lauren Vess all singled once and Makenzie Hartley singled twice.
"We started hitting the ball and started making a lot of action happen." Amber Cline
Game 3: v. Marionville Knockouts 15-14 Megan Elliott and Haleigh Wallace combined pitching for the win. Megan Elliot hit a home run; Haley Rausch triple, Lauren Vess, double; Brandi Cline, Makenzie Hartley and Mikayla Buckner singled.
"We had hot bats and strong fielding. The girls kept improving all day and was rewarded in the end with a WIN!" Amber Cline
Bolivar @ Buffalo – Sunday 6-22-08
Game 1: L – 8 – 17 Lauren Vess pitched and had a hit; Megan Elliott singled. We had a slow start to the day but came back tough for the second game and ready to play.
Game 2: W – 12 – 11 Megan Elliott winning pitcher (2 K’s). Mikayla Buckner lead the team with 2 hits; Jessica Cox, Megan Elliott, Lauren Vess, Brandi Cline, Makenzie Hartley and Macey Hitchcock all singled. Haleigh Wallace, Haley Rausch, and Jenna Halbrook got on every at bat with a Walk.
"We played good defense and had hot bats to battle to pull off the WIN!
I am so proud of this group of girls. They are learning so much about the game and playing as a team. They really improve with every ball hit." Amber Cline
UP NEXT: @ Ash Grove Tuesday.
