Arlington slugger Hannah Stahlecker hit a two-run homer Sunday as her NE Quakes team won the age 18 and younger bracket of the Blair Youth Softball Association Classic.
Two hometown teams, meanwhile, reached the semifinals at the Youth Sports Complex. The Blair Wild Swings lost a 6-3 game to the Quakes, while the Blair Blaze lost a 5-4 game to the tourney runner-ups — the Omaha Warriors.
The Wild Swings topped the Fremont Force 3-0 first during a 3-2 weekend.
“I thought we brought the energy really well,” winning pitcher Abby Leggott said. “I thought we started off great and we just kept going all the way through the game.”
The hurler didn't feel any pressure starting the home tourney in the circle.
“I knew my defense would be there and they were,” Leggott said.
The Blair squad also beat the NE Edge Black 6-4 and the Fury Gold 4-0. It lost a 10-0 game to the Fury, too.
The Blaze, meanwhile, started their 3-1 weekend with a 9-0 victory against the NE Force Elite.
“I pitched very, very good and everyone backed it up,” Jenna Voskamp said. “Very good defense.”
The pitcher continued complimenting her teammates, too.
“All of them are great,” she said. “They back up great. Team's great.”
The Blaze topped the Lady Eagles 17-0 and Arlington 7-1 to finish with a spotless pool play record Saturday before Sunday's aforementioned loss to the Warriors.
In addition, the Arlington squad finished the BYSA Classic 1-4. It beat the Lady Eagles 14-2 on Saturday before a 3-1 bracket loss to the Fremont Force on Sunday.
12U Diamonds go 1-3
The Blair Diamonds went 1-3 during the BYSA Classic.
The Diamonds lost their Sunday bracket game to the NE Edge, 4-1, but won their final pool play game on Saturday. They topped the Elkhorn Elite 13-3 after pool play losses to both the Bennington Elite (6-1) and the Edge (6-3).
The Bennington Elite eventually won the tournament, while the 13U Nebraska Force won the age 14 and younger bracket.
