This past weekend, the U17 Central Energy squad was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, competing in the 2024 Ringneck International Tournament. Central Energy lost in the quarterfinals after going undefeated in the round robin and winning their first playoff game.
In the first game of the round-robin, Maddy Friesen drove in four runs on two hits to lead U17 Central Energy past the Missouri-based Trojanettes team 12-6. Friesen hit a home run to left field in the second inning, scoring three runs, and doubled in the third inning, scoring one.
In the next game, Brooklyn Friesen collected three hits in three at-bats as U17 Central Energy defeated Nebraska Quakes Schmidt 9-1. Friesen hit a solo home run to right field in the fourth inning, singled in the first inning, and singled in the third inning.
Nelia Fehr struck out ten batters on the day. The starting pitcher also allowed one hit and one run over four innings while walking one.
In the final round robin game, Central Energy held on late in the game to win 5-3 over the host team from Sioux Falls in Dakota Energy.
Molly Cowan stepped in the circle first for U17 Central Energy. They allowed five hits and three runs over three and two-thirds innings, striking out four and walking four.
With a perfect 3-0 round-robin record, the U17 Central Energy team was seeded high in the single elimination playoff round.
In the round-of-16 matchup, Nelia Fehr struck out 15 batters as she led U17 Central Energy past St. Peter Hyland (Minnesota) to a 6-0 win. Fehr gave up one hit and zero runs over six innings while walking one.
The run ended in the quarterfinals for U17 Central Energy as they lost a 2-1 heartbreaker to the South Dakota Impact.
Both teams were strong in the pitching circle as Molly Cowan started the game for U17 Central Energy and recorded 18 outs. She surrendered five hits and three runs over six innings, striking out six and walking four.
South Dakota got on the board in the top of the third inning, scoring twice to take a 2-0 lead. Central Energy then replied by scoring one run in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of a solo home run to center field by Molly Conrad after a six-pitch at-bat.
However, that was as close as Central Energy would come. They fell 2-1, which eliminated them from the tournament.
“It was another pitching battle, and we just found ourselves on the other side of things,” said U17 Central Energy coach Cam Zacharias. “Our defence was incredible all weekend, and we just couldn’t get the hits in the last game.”
U17 Central Energy’s team has been praised for its great sportsmanship on and off the ball diamond.
“Parents and coaches of other teams, and umpires all repetitively told us that our girls are very impressive young women,” said U17 Central Energy manager Bobbi-Jo Guffei. “On and off the field, win or lose, that our girls showed admirable levels of sportsmanship. They all smiled and supported each other, so parents and coaches should continue to be super proud of these girls.”
Next up for U17 Central Energy will be the Provincials later this month, where they hope to qualify for the Nationals with a top-two finish.
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The U15 Central Energy team was victorious in both games of its doubleheader on Sunday afternoon. Their offence exploded against the Winnipeg Lightning, winning 10-2 and 14-1.
“The bats were just on fire today right from the beginning of each game,” said U15 Central Energy coach Kevin Perrin. “We had six runs in the first inning of the first game and nine runs in the first inning of game two. So it was a great day for our team.”
U15 Central Energy had the weekend off and will return in MPSL action with a doubleheader on July 12 against the Interlake Phillies at the Winkler Parkland Diamond. The game times are 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.
The U13 Central Energy team was also in action last weekend at the tournament in Sioux Falls, but didn’t fare quite as well as they had a 0-3 record in the round robin. They did win one game in the consolation playoffs before being knocked out in the consolation quarterfinals to the Twin Ports Rampage (Wisconsin) by a 5-1 scoreline.
With their MPSL season now complete, U13 Central Energy will prepare for Provincials, where they also hope to qualify for Nationals.
