DANVILLE — The Ontario Warriors 8u softball All-Stars won the Danville All-Star Blast tournament against the Danville 8u All-Stars by a score of 9-0 on Sunday. Both teams were amped and ready to play ball, having so much fun members of each team were surprised when the game was over.
“They had a blast, they had a good time,” said Ontario coach Kevin Dawson on the girls’ experience. “Most of them didn’t even know we won when it was over and that’s the best part.”
Masilyn Ricketts and Ella Uhler both singled in the top of the second for Danville. However, Danville did not score on the inning. Danville was able to recuperate and play solid defense in the second. Highlighted by a spectacular reaction catch by pitcher Violet Lyons, Danville held Ontario to only one run. The Lady Devil All-Stars had a slow inning offensively in the third, but made up for it by holding the Warriors scoreless in the inning.
Going into the fourth Ontario had a 6-0 advantage. Hailey Colopy supplied a single for Danville in the top of the fourth, but the Ontario defense remained persistent and did not allow her to score. The Warriors took another leap in the bottom of the fourth as they fed off of an RBI provided by Emryn Fanello, a double blasted by Kendall Thomas and a two-run single by Leeah Ziegler.
After Danville remained scoreless in the fifth, the Ontario Warriors won the championship 9-0 and finished undefeated throughout the tournament.
Danville had to play five games on Sunday to reach the championship which was quite the journey in the hot June sun.
“We lost in the championship game, but we played well,” said Danville coach Larry Ashman. “It’s good for Danville just to be able to play and be competitive in all that softball.”
Additional hits for Danville were from Ryleigh Geog and Kaylee Martin who both singled. Additional hits from Ontario were Callie Fagon and Reagan Baughman with a single apiece, Sophie Schuster with three singles, Carlie Schnittke had an RBI and Savannah Colvin pitched in with two singles along with an RBI.
