Photo used with permission by Amanda Kriens
The Dell Rapids 14U softball team won the silver bracket of the Lowell Rang Memorial Tournament in Mitchell on Saturday, June 12th and Sunday, June 13th.
Dell Rapids played in a pool play format on Saturday to determine which tournament bracket and seed they would play in a single-elimination tournament on Sunday.
In the opening game of pool play, Dell Rapids fell to TSC Hurricanes 9-5. Dell Rapids got three runs in the bottom of the first inning after the Hurricanes scored one, but the Hurricanes scored three runs in the third, three runs in the fourth, and two more in the fifth. Dell Rapids was held to just one run in the third and one in the fifth after the first inning. Elly Olson and Kya Alderson both had two hits in the game. Alderson pitched six innings allowing nine earned runs on 13 hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
Dell Rapids then played Midwest Speed, and Midwest Speed scored six runs in the first two innings and three more in the sixth to get a 9-4 win over Dell Rapids. Brynlee Kriens had two hits and an RBI. Alderson pitched all six innings allowing nine runs on 16 hits with nine strikeouts.
In the final pool play game on Saturday, Dell Rapids earned a victory over Brookings Outlaws. Brookings scored three times in the top of the first, but Dell Rapids got four runs in the bottom of the inning and then added five more in the bottom of the second for a 9-3 lead. They had one more run in the third and two more in the fourth for a 12-3 advantage. Brookings scored five times in the top of the fifth, but Dell Rapids held off Brookings’ rally for the win. Mikaylah O’Meara had two doubles and five RBIs. Alderson had five innings on the mound allowing eight runs on 12 hits with four strikeouts.
Dell Rapids earned the #2 seed in the silver bracket and got a first round bye. Dell Rapids played the Mankato Peppers in the semifinals, and using a seven-run third inning, advanced to the championship game with an 11-1 victory. O’Meara had three hits, including a triple and double, with two more RBIs. Addy Van’t Hof had two hits and two RBIs. Alderson pitched four innings allowing just one run on three hits with four strikeouts.
Dell Rapids drew a familiar opponent for the championship game. They took the TSC Hurricanes again, but this time Dell Rapids was victorious after scoring eight runs in the middle innings. Dell Rapids got the win 11-4. O’Meara had three hits, one of them a double, with five RBIs. Olson had two hits, including a double, and an RBI. Alderson pitched once again throwing six innings allowing four runs on 11 hits with three walks and 10 strikeouts.