Three Central Energy softball teams took the field in Sioux Falls over the weekend, with U17 leading the charge with a strong showing against top-tier U.S. competition.
The U17 squad went undefeated through round robin play and won their first playoff matchup before falling in the quarterfinals. Their run earned them a tie for fifth place out of 34 teams — the highest finish of any Energy team at the tournament.
Eve English was a key contributor in the early going, racking up 10 RBIs over four games, including a two-run homer and a four-hit performance in a 19-4 win over Nebraska Wave 16U. Taylor Wall, Hailey-Jo Guffei and Molly Cowan also had standout weekends at the plate, while pitchers Kennedy Funk, Gabrielle Hildebrand and Taylor Wall all picked up wins in the circle.
The U19 team showed resilience, rebounding from a tough 0-3 start in pool play to rattle off four straight playoff wins and capture the B-side championship. They finished 15th out of 26 teams.
Maddy Friesen powered the U19 offence in a 12-0 shutout over Twin Port Rampage 18B with five RBIs, including a three-run homer. Karli Toews was solid on the mound, notching multiple wins and allowing just one earned run across 10 innings pitched. Christina VanDeVelde, Rory Lumgair and Heidi Reimer also delivered clutch hits in the playoff run.
U13 Central Energy battled through a tough field of 22 teams. After going winless in round robin play, they picked up a convincing 12-0 victory over Twin Ports Rampage 12U in the playoffs before being eliminated in their next game to finish tied for 17th.
Beaudry E led the U13 offence in the win with four RBIs, while Collins V and Brady W combined for a shutout on the mound. Emma S and Addison D were steady contributors throughout the weekend.
The U15 team had the weekend off and will rejoin the tournament circuit later this month.
Up next, several Central Energy teams will return to local league and provincial play as they continue to prepare for Softball Manitoba provincials later this summer.
