14 & UNDER 2007

Sweet Thunder 16-U Takes 1st in Salina Invitational

     Colby Sweet Thunder's 16-U team snagged first place this past weekend when they participated in the Salina Invitational. Concordia Crushers was the first team they faced, and both teams were held scoreless until the top of the fifth. Kendrick and Jones both took walks and scored on passed balls for the first two runs, and in the 7th, Krzycki and L.Wark both hit singles and stole on passed balls for the final two runs. Concordia scored at the bottom of the 7th after two errors let two stolen runs in. Pitcher Logan Wark took the win 4-2.
     Game #2 against Larned Renegades saw lead batter Kendrick score with a single base hit and an RBI and hit by Jones. Other scoring runs and hits were Pettibone with a triple and run; Wright, RBI sac.; C. Wark, single, Krzycki, 2 singles, 1 stolen run; Jones, 1 single & RBI, 1 run; L.Wark, a triple, single, 2 RBIs, and 3 stolen runs. Pitcher Pettibone took the win with a final score of 7-3.
     Game #3 faced off with Great Bend Quicksilver and the ladies began to have batting problems and errors. The errors helped Quicksilver to runs early in the game, and the only score was from Logan Wark when she hit a single and stole home. Singles were also hit by Krzycki, Pettibone, and Gonzales. Pitcher Pettibone took the loss of 5-1.
     Game #4 was again against Quicksilver, and the ladies showed their mettle this game, allowing only one double, five singles, and one run. They saved their 2-1 winning score in the bottom of the seventh by throwing out Quicksilver's tying run coming home to end the game. Pitcher Logan Wark took the win. Hits and scoring runs for the game were: Krzycki, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 run; Kendrick, 2 singles; L. Wark, 1 double 2 RBI, C.Wark, 1 single, 1 run; Frahm, 1 single.

     Thunder began their season the previous weekend in Dodge City at the Miss Kitty Classic, with eight 16-U teams participating in pool play until Saturday evening, when they moved into bracket play. Thunder won all three games on Saturday, the first being against the North Platte Belles, 6-0, with pitcher Logan Wark taking the win. Thunder only allowed one hit, had only one error, and Wark had nine strikeouts in seventeen at- bats. Game #2 was against Spearville with Danielle Pettibone at the mound. She took the win, 8-0, with 6 strikeouts and two walks. Game #3 against Dodge City Magic began bracket play, gave Pitcher Wark the win 6-1, allowing 5 hits, pitching 10 strikeouts, 1 walk, 1 team error, and 1 run.
     Day two of the tournament in bracket play pitted Thunder against the Colorado Springs Quicksilver and saw the ladies struggle with pop-ups and strikeouts. Final score was 5-2 with Pitcher Wark taking the loss. Final game against the Larned Renegades again saw batting struggles. Defensively, they played very well, holding the Renegades scoreless until the 3rd inning, when errors and some good hits began Larned's run scoring. Colby caught them 6-5 in the 6th, but was unable to score as home team in the bottom of the seventh. Pitchers Wark and Pettibone shared the loss.
     Thunder's record to date is 6 wins, 3 losses. They travel to the Nebraskaland Days Fastpitch Tournament in North Platte, Nebraska this weekend.

Colby Sweet Thunder Hosts Colby Invitational Softball Tourney

The Colby Sweet Thunder Organization hosted the Colby Invitational Fast Pitch Softball Tourney last Saturday, with 10s, 12s, 14s, 16s, and one 18 and under team participating. Thunder's 16 and under team bagged first place with wins against Oakley(14-0), the Wray Eagles (11-3), Norton Storm (18-U) (10-1), and Burlington Scream(4-1). The first two games against Oakley and Wray were run ruled, with Pitcher Danielle Pettibone taking the wins. She allowed no hits, one walk, and eight strikeouts in Game #1(Oakley), and three hits, four strikeouts, and two walks in game #2(Wray). Wins for Games #3 against Norton Storm 18-U and #4 against Burlington Scream were taken by Pitcher Logan Wark. Allowing three hits, five strikeouts, and one run, game 3 was also run ruled in the fifth, which helped the ladies inside to cool off and be ready for the final 8:00 p.m. game. Burlington Scream came to play, but were only allowed one walk, two hits plus a bunt, and six strikeouts. These wins place Thunder's record at 14-5, as they travel to Burlington this weekend to face seven Colorado teams.
Runs and hits in Game #1 were made by: Kendrick, 1 hit &RBI, 1 double, 2 runs; L. Wark, 3 hits, 1 RBI, 3 runs; Jones, 1 hit & RBI, 2 runs; Gonzales, 2 hits, 4 RBI, 2 runs; Pettibone, 1 hit & RBI; Frahm, 1hit& RBI, 1 run; Krzycki, 1 hit, 2 runs; C. Wark, 1 hit & RBI, 1 RBI sacrifice, 1 run; Powell, 1 hit & RBI, 1 run. Game #2: Kendrick, 1 hit, 2 RBI, 1 walk, 2 runs; L. Wark, 1 double, 1 walk, 2 runs; Jones, 1 walk, 1 run; Gonzales, 1 hit, 1 RBI sac, 2 runs; Pettibone, 1 walk, 1 hit & RBI, 2 runs; Wright, 2 hits, 1 bunt,1 run; C. Wark, 1 RBI sac, 1 bunt; Powell, 2 walks, 1 run; Dietz, 1 bunt. Game #3: Kendrick, 1 walk, 1 hit & RBI, 1 run; L. Wark, 1 double, 1 triple, 2 RBI; Jones, 1 hit; Gonzales;1 run; Krzycki, 1 walk, 1 hit, 3 runs; Wright, 1 bunt, 1 run; C. Wark, 2 hits, 2 RBI, 1 run; Frahm, 1 hit & RBI, 2 runs; Powell, 1 hit, 1 run. Game #4: Kendrick, 1 bunt & RBI; L.Wark, 1 run; Gonzales, 2 hits, 1 run; Krzycki, 1 hit, 1 RBI sac, 1 walk,1 run; Wright, 1 hit; C.Wark, 1 bunt hit, 1 run; Powell, 1 hit.

Colby Sweet Thunder Takes Russell Tourney

The Sweet Thunder 16 and under gals traveled to Russell last Saturday and Sunday and grabbed a 1st place trophy once again in the ASA Ladies All-Out 18 and 16 and under Fast Pitch Tournament. They began pool play at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, but after run ruling the Abilene DK Slammers 12-2, were unable to finish pool play at 4:30 p.m. because of rain delays. This put the tournament two games behind, which started them at 9:00 a.m. Sunday. Temperatures sizzled into the upper 90's as Thunder shut out the McPherson Co. Blaze 7-0, then battled Sylvan Grove Conoco 18 & under at 1:30 p.m. Sylvan scored in the first inning and held Thunder until the third, when they answered with one tying run.
Thunder continued to hold Conoco as they climbed to 7-1 when time ran out. The last two bracket games were once again against the DK Slammers(6-0), one game at 4:30, and the Championship game at 7:30. Thunder struggled early with hits, but kept their strong defense going as they edged ahead with three runs at the top of the third. The Slammers answered with one run in the bottom of the fourth, but Colby shut them down and turned several hits into a final score of 8-1 as time ran out. In spite of intense heat, the ladies kept their focus and continued their winning streak with several double plays of merit and many excellent fielding efforts from every player. Pitcher Pettibone took the 12-2 win in Game #1with five strikeouts, 2 walks, 1 hit, 2 RBI, and 1 run; Kendrick, 1 walk, 2 runs; Krzycki, 1 in the park Grand Slam, 3 RBIs, 1 walk, 2 runs; L.Wark, 2 walks, 1 hit, 2 runs; Jones, 2 hits, 1 run; Gonzales, 1 hit& RBI, 1 run; Wright, 2 walks, 1 run; Frah, 1 walk and stolen run; Powell, 1 walk & run; C.Wark, 1 hit & RBI. Pitcher Wark took the 7-0 win in Game #2 with 1 walk & 6 strikeouts, 1 hit & RBI, 1 run; Kendrick, 2 hits, 1 run; Krzycki, 1 run; Jones, 1 RBI sacrifice; Gonzales, 2 hits, 1 RBI; Pettibone, 1 double, 2 runs; C.Wark, 1 hit, 1 run; Frahm, 1 walk, 1 hit & RBI, 1 run.
Pitcher Pettibone took the 7-1 win in Game #3(1st in Bracket) with 1 walk,7strikeouts, 2 hits, and 1 stolen run; Kendrick, 1 hit & stolen run; Krzycki, 1 walk, 1 run; L.Wark, 2 doubles, 1 RBI, 1 run; Jones, 1 hit & run; Gonzales, 1 walk & run; C.Wark, 1 hit; Powell, 1 bunt, 1 run. Pitcher Wark took the shut out win(6-0) in Game #4 (2nd in Bracket play) with six strikeouts, 1 double, 1 triple, 1 walk, & 2 RBIs; Kendrick, 1 hit & RBI, 1 run; Jones, 1 hit; Gonzales, 1 hit & run; Pettibone, 1 hit & run; C.Wark, 1 hit & run; Wright, 2
walks, 1 RBI sac; Frahm, 1 hit & run; Powell, 2 walks; Krzycki, 1 hit & RBI, 1 run.
Pitcher Pettibone took the Game #5 Championship win (8-1) with one walk, six strikeouts, 1 RBI sacrifice and 1 walk. Wark relieved her in the sixth and had 1 single, 1 double, 1 walk, & 3 runs; Kendrick, 1 hit & run; Krzycki, 1 walk, 1 RBI sac; Jones, 2 RBI sacs, 1 hit, 1 double, 2 runs; Gonzales, 1 walk, 1 RBI sac, 1 run; Wright, 1 walk, Powell, 2 walks,1 run. The ladies travel to Emporia next weekend for State play and hope to bring another trophy home! Good Luck, Thunder!

Sweet Thunder 16/U takes First at State!!!!

The Colby Sweet Thunder 16 and under ladies rolled into Emporia last weekend, fighting hard the entire weekend to remain on the front side of the bracket. They battled rain delays, hot and humid conditions, tough teams, and even parked fans' car lights in their eyes to come out on top with first place! In game #1 at 8:00 a.m. Saturday, the ladies were fired up but just couldn't get their bats going, as they eaked out a 3-2 win over the Augusta Mudcats. Their defense was strong, though, as they were visitors and held the Cats during their last at bat. As temperatures rose, the bats got hotter as well, as Thunder faced Emporia Energy, who had won their Friday evening game 18-0 and didn't see Thunder as a threat. Both teams were held scoreless until the third inning, when a 12 batter, 9 run inning (4 runs stolen on passed balls) for Thunder sent the Energy's balloon to the ground. Energy answered with some good hits and a home run, but Thunder shut them down in the fourth and fifth innings for a 9-5 win. Waiting for a rain and lightning delay put Colby at a 7:30 game against the Paola T-Birds. A strong offensive team, the T-Birds pumped seven runs up to Thunder's zero in two innings. Thunder battled back with one run and a lot of patience, until their 11 batter, 6 run fourth inning tied up the T-Birds' score. The T-Birds couldn't keep their bats going, and Thunder passed by them in the bottom of the fifth with a two run lead, holding them in the sixth for a 9-7 win.

Sunday's 12:00 game for the championship brought the Milan Sluggers, who had fought back to the top after a second game loss on Saturday. With no time limit, but seven innings to play in the heat/humidity, Thunder battled from a 7-2 fifth inning to 7-7 as visitors in the seventh, when a run came in to win for the Sluggers. The Sluggers had to win twice since the tournament was double elimination, so after a fifteen minute cool down, a second game began. In less than one hour, seven innings had played out, and the second inning triple by Brena Jones, a double and RBI by Erika Gonzales, and her run batted in by Caitlyn Wark were the two runs scored that won the final game, 2-0. Outstanding defensive plays and offensive efforts were made by each and every teammate the entire weekend to hold the ladies' opponents and aid them up to the top of the ladder. Great job, ladies, and your final record was an awesome 29-6!!!
Game #1: Pitcher Danielle Pettibone took the 3-2 win with three strikeouts and three walks. Logan Wark relieved her in the fifth and had one strikeout and two hits. Runs were made by Kiri Kendrick, Jordan Krzycki, and Caitlyn Wark. Kendrick, Krzycki, Brena Jones, Erika Gonzales, Tara Powell, Lindsay Frahm, and Caitlyn Wark all had singles, with RBIs by Gonzales, Logan Wark, and a sacrifice by Jones. Game #2gave Pitcher Logan Wark the 9-5 win, with Pettibone relieving the bottom half of the third. Each had two strikeouts. Wark had 2 hits, 1 RBI, and 1 run; Pettibone had 1 walk & 1 stolen run; Kendrick, 1 walk, 1 hit, 1 double, 2 runs; Krzycki, 1 hit, 1 double, 1 RBI, 1 run; Jones, 1 hit, 1 run; Gonzales, 1 hit & RBI, 1 run; C. Wark, 2 hits, 2 RBI, 1 run; Frahm, 1 walk, 1 hit, 1 run; Powell, 1 bunt sacrifice RBI; Keesa Wright, 1 walk.
Game #3: Pitcher Pettibone took the 9-7 win, giving up three walks, and had 1 hit & RBI, and 1 run. Wark relieved her in the second inning with three strikeouts. Hits and runs for the team were made by: Kendrick, 1 walk, 1 RBI sac, 1 run; Krzycki, 2 walks; Jones, 2 hits, 1 double, 1 RBI, 2 runs; Gonzales, 1 run; C.Wark, 2 hits, 1 RBI, 2 runs; Wright, 1 RBI sac, 1 run; Powell, 1 hit, 1 bunted RBI, 1 run. Game #4:Pitcher Wark took the 8-7 loss with three strikeouts, 3 hits and 2 runs. Pitcher Pettibone relieved her in the bottom of the fifth, gave up only one walk, and had 1 hit and 1 bunt sacrifice. Krzycki had 1 walk & run; Jones, 1 walk, 1 hit, 1 run; Gonzales, 1 hit, 2 RBI, 1 run; C.Wark, 1 hit, 1 RBI, 2 runs; Frahm, 1 bunt sacrifice RBI. Game #5: Pitcher Pettibone took the 2-0 win with two strikeouts; Krzycki had 1 double; Jones, 1 triple, 1 single, 1 run; Gonzales, 1 double, 1 RBI, 1 run; Powell, 1 walk, 1 hit.