Ace Concrete & Excavating Wins Clarion Little League Softball Championship Game (07/03/19)

on 3 July, 2019 at 17:19

(Photos courtesy Clarion Little League Softball) Above photo: Ace Concrete & Excavating 2019 Clarion Little League Softball Champions: First row (L-R): Alexa Kitchen, Ryli Girt, Lacey Lauer, Kalyssa Ferguson, Makayla Clinger. Second row (L-R): Kaylee Smith, Samantha Simpson, Hope Kemmer, Jesalyn Girt. Third row(L-R): Manager Mike Ferguson, Coach Ed Kemmer, Coach Mike Kitchen. (Missing: Bella McClaine)

(By Ace Manager Mike Ferguson)

On Wednesday June 26th, Ace Concrete & Excavating girls were able to finally accomplish what they had been working for all season long, just when it mattered the most…

Goble Funeral Home came into the Championship game with a very impressive 15-0 undefeated record throughout the regular season and tournament play. Ace Concrete & Excavating entered the match up with a 10-5 record with all of their losses coming at the hands of Goble throughout the regular season.

The young ladies who competed in the Championship Game from Ace and Gobles: First row (L-R): Ryli Girt, Peyton Radaker, Lacey Lauer, Olivia Radaker. Second row (L-R): Alexa Kitchen, Morgan Scheftic, Makayla Clinger, Ady Girt, Kalyssa Ferguson, Adisen Jackson. Third row (L-R): Jadyn Scheftic, Hope Kemmer, Reise Jackson, Kaylee Smith, Jenna Dunn, Samantha Simpson, Maddy Greeley, Jesalyn Girt, Marley Kline (missing: Bella McClaine)

All five previous matchups between the two teams throughout the regular season were very close, competitive, and well played contests on both sides, but Ace just couldn’t ever seem to get the upper hand over Goble.

The game highlighted two of the best pitchers in the league, Goble’s Jenna Dunn and Ace’s Kaylee Smith and they did not disappoint early on. Dunn and Smith both struck out 8 of the first 9 batters they faced leaving the game scoreless after three innings played.

In the top of the fourth inning, Ace finally got on the board as Hope Kemmer and Jesalyn Girt both had nice hits to score Smith, who had walked and Samantha Simpson, who had reached on being hit by a pitch, putting Ace up 2-0.

Goble answered right back in the bottom of the inning with two runs of their own, with great hits from sisters Adisen and Reise Jackson, leaving the score knotted once again 2-2 after four innings.

In the fifth inning, Ace batted through the entire lineup as Ryli Girt started off the inning with a walk. Lacey Lauer then came up to bat and ripped a rocket shot down the third base line, scoring Girt and herself, on an inside the park homerun. Smith and Simpson both reached base following Lauer’s heroics. Kemmer and Jesalyn Girt both had good hits to score both Smith and Simpson making the score 6-2 half way through the fifth. Goble was able to put 2 runs on the board in the bottom half of the frame with a double from Ady Girt, making the score 6-4 after 5 innings played.

Dunn and Smith continued their dominate performances on the mound to close out the game, as Dunn struck out all 3 batters she faced in the top of the sixth inning and Smith struck out 2 of the 4 batters she faced to secure the game and Championship for Ace.

Congratulations to both teams and all the girls involved in the league this season for a terrific year!!!

(Thanks to Coach Ferguson for this article and to Clarion Little League Softball for the photos. GREAT SEASON GOBLES AND ACE!!!!)

(Note to other baseball and softball All-Star and travel ball coaches, as well as other travel teams in other sports: Clarion Sports Zone would be happy to post your summaries and photos. Send to davemcclaine@yahoo.com.)